Striking the Right Balance Between Staffing Needs and Wants

In the not-too-distant past, we saw quiet quitting, and it appears in 2024 that we are seeing a return to layoffs. For example, Kinecta Credit Union, with 806 full-time equivalent employees, recently laid off 84 employees due to a fall in earnings. And, Kinecta is not alone in this trend. The workplace looks and feels…

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Managing a Hybrid Workforce – Success Strategies

Managers are now challenged to effectively manage staff remotely. The cadence of when employees must be “in the office” versus working remotely varies from credit union to credit union and even department to department. Managers and policymakers must realize that team management focuses on equity versus equality. Let’s first identify the purpose of employees meeting…

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Fragility and Resiliency – Vital Attributes of Leadership

Often, leaders see decisiveness and strength as the primary characteristics of leadership. The reality is that leadership is more complicated and nuanced than these two attributes. Among the many qualities leaders need, fragility and resilience emerge as essential and distinct yet interconnected. In today’s ever-evolving, ever-disrupting landscape of challenges, a leader must navigate uncertainty, adapt…

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Unraveling the Differences Between Leadership and Management

As I crisscrossed the nation, meeting hundreds of credit union managers and executives, I learned that leadership and management are often used interchangeably and are “ordained” by the org chart. Let’s erase this mistaken notion that an individual is one or the other and discuss how these roles fit together. Leadership and Management are two…

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Learn to Lead with Gratitude

It is a Transformative Power of Leadership In our fast-paced and demanding role as a leader, where decisions are made, strategies formulated, and teams directed, expressing gratitude is vital. Leading with gratitude goes beyond politeness; it is a strategic approach that fosters positive relationships, builds trust, and enhances team dynamics. In this article, I will…

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Crafting Leadership Excellence

The 12 Elements of a Successful Leadership Development Program for Credit Unions Credit unions operate in a highly volatile and competitive environment. Every major initiative requires cross-functional and cross-silo teams. Because of this ecosystem, credit unions must ensure consistent leadership behaviors and intentions for these diverse teams to be effective and execute expertly. Strong leadership…

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Situations a Credit Union Should Use a Fractional Executive

Credit unions often face unique challenges that require expert guidance. In many cases, hiring a full-time executive may not be feasible or necessary. This is where fractional executives come into play. A fractional executive is an experienced professional who provides their expertise part-time or temporarily. The following are situations in which a credit union should…

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Leadership Requires INTENTIONAL Active Listening

Good News: Active Listening is a Learned Skill In a fast-paced and increasingly remote and digital world, communication has taken various forms, from texting and email to video calls and social media. With the rapid evolution of our work environment, communication needs to be seen in the prism of the art of active listening. We…

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The Seven Pitfalls of Arrogance in Leadership

If you haven’t already, you will likely experience an arrogant leader. Arrogance is a treacherous leadership failure, often leading to disastrous consequences for the leader and their team. While confidence and assertiveness can be valuable traits for a leader, there’s a fine line between self-assuredness and arrogance. When arrogance shows up in a leader, it…

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