How often can we say that we really made an impact in our job? That what we do matters?
In the credit union industry, it’s easy to take this for granted. Many of us do, and I’ve been guilty of the same. We talk about being mission-based, member-first. We talk about being a movement and not just a job. But how often do we step back and really think about what that means to us . . . as humans? To our core?
I recently went through a season where I had not thought much about the impact of my job. I had worked in the credit union industry for 15 years. I was a little burned out and needed to shake it up a bit. I knew I worked for an amazing industry, but other people have that in their jobs, right? Not so much.
During the last two years, I spent time doing strategy consulting. In accepting that job, I was really looking forward to working with other industries—what do they do, what are they like? And lucky me, my first assignment was with a local widget maker (name changed to protect the innocent). They were great! Incredibly nice people. Lovely work environment. Interesting work. But about two weeks in, I realized that all we were talking about were . . . widgets. And that’s all we’d ever talk about. And these widgets didn’t even really help people.
I started wondering how these widget employees got excited about coming to work every day. Honestly, how is this motivating? And I knew for me, it wasn’t motivating at all. Although my engagement there was only for a few months, I quickly found myself very blasé about the work—because what did it matter? How was it going to improve anyone’s lives? Honestly, it didn’t—just the widget maker’s bottom line.
It reminded me of a story that an HR executive shared with interns early in my career. He had been recruited to work at a well-known cigarette company. Outside of the industry he was joining, the job would be personally lifechanging—money, benefits, stock options. He thought that all of those things, and how it could help his family, would outweigh the industry. It didn’t. He didn’t last a year.
The lesson being: Where you work matters.
You must live with yourself when you leave the office. And for me, living with myself meant being part of an industry that IMPACTS our communities and makes a positive difference. This is my why.
As you are thinking of your credit union, your employees, and yourself—how are you living the credit union difference? Many of us have realized that new employees are not even aware of the credit union difference. How do we spread the good news? Not only does this help employees better understand where they work and who they work for, but it also increases retention and creates pride to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
And for some of us who have been around for, ahem, a little bit longer, how are we keeping motivated?
I have ideas—especially during this time of year when we are finishing up our current performance goals and writing ones for next year.
- Come to DE. I work at the Foundation now, so y’all know that was going to be my first recommendation! That’s also because it’s true. Not only is it an opportunity to immerse yourself in the credit union difference for a few days, but the network that you will meet will continue to inspire and motivate you. DE is about the message but it’s also about the people. Registrations for 2026 go live on October 20 this year.
- Exploring Why. If it’s hard to get away for five days, consider shorter programs that can be done virtually or at your credit union, like our Exploring Why™ program. Train with a large group of peers and create a common language and a common bond that will continue way past the training being over. Reach out, and we’d love to share about this offering.
- Get connected. If you are a DE, reach out to your local, state, or regional networks. Many of them also have LinkedIn groups. At the Foundation we’re working to help improve these alumni connections, but in the meantime your state league foundation can usually point you to the right person. Last week, I spent some time with the Ohio DE Alumni Group, and it was fantastic! My spirits were lifted, and I felt such motivation to get to work driving more impact and connecting with more people in this industry.
- Join us at The Foundation Gala presenting the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards. I tell every credit union person I meet that you HAVE to come, at least once. It is such a beautiful reminder and reinvigoration of what we do, the amazing humans we do it with, and the impact that credit unions have on the world. Registration will open here later this year.
We at the Foundation are continuing to look for additional ways to support credit unions in the impact that they lead in their communities. This is the work that inspires me, that gets me up in the morning. Though we may occasionally need a reminder, we are so lucky to work in a movement that has impacted so many and, with our commitment and resolution, will impact many more for lifetimes to come.
