The CUInsight Experience podcast: Brian Lee – Pivotal moment (#179)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 179 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today’s show is Brian Lee, President & CEO at Landings Credit Union in Arizona. Brian shares how his time as an examiner influences his problem solving and leadership style. As they continue to grow, Landings Credit Union offers members personalized financial products and services. Under Brian’s leadership, the credit union also earned its Dementia Friendly Business designation.

During our conversation, Brian discusses the minor improvements and micro-innovations that lead to big wins for credit union teams. He explains strategies that help teams boost ideas overall and encourage team members to feel a sense of ownership. Listen as we discuss the identity crisis for many credit unions today and the importance of not getting lost in the noise around us.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Brian talks about making smoothies at a popular chain, being amazed by his children, and listening to this particular Pearl Jam album. Enjoy my conversation with Brian Lee!

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Brian:
Brian Lee, President & CEO at Landings Credit Union
blee@landingscu.org
landingscu.org
Brian: LinkedIn
Landings Credit Union: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Humanidei, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Want to hear more from Brian? Click here.
Historic event mentioned: Great Recession
Shout-out: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
Shout-out: Arizona State University
Historic event mentioned: COVID-19 pandemic
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Article mentioned: Five things I learned as an examiner turned credit union CEO
Shout-out: CUInsight Mini-Con series
Shout-out: Monica Belz
Education Program mentioned: Credit Union Development Education (DE Program)
Shout-out: Lauren Culp
Shout-out: Margaret Hunnicutt
Shout-out: Crash the GAC
Shout-out: Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC)
Shout-out: Jamba Juice
Shout-out: Brian’s children
Shout-out: Warren Buffet
Shout-out: Dale Carnegie
Shout-out: Noah Wyle
Shout-out: ER (TV series)
Place mentioned: Roatán, Honduras
Artist mentioned Led Zeppelin
Album mentioned: Vs. by Pearl Jam
Shout-out: NCUA Chairman Todd Harper
Book mentioned: Kill the Company by Lisa Bodell
Book mentioned: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Book mentioned: Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, 148, 161, & 177), Monica Belz (episodes 42 & 173), Lauren Culp (episodes 39 & 115), Todd Harper

In This Episode:
[00:37] – Brian Lee recalls switching his career path to accounting and why it was good timing.
[02:55] – Brian reflects on Landings becoming a dementia-friendly business in the financial industry. PART 1
[05:00] – Brian reflects on Landings becoming a dementia-friendly business in the financial industry. PART 2
[07:54] – Are we intentional about where we’re headed?
[10:48] – The changing of the times.
[12:17] – What does Brian think of mentors, peers, and mentees? PART 1
[13:50] – What does Brian think of mentors, peers, and mentees? PART 2
[15:39] – How can CEOs keep board members in the loop?
[17:41] – Building meaningful connections is one of the greatest investments.
[20:10] – Lifelong learners help create strong teams.
[22:31] – How does Brian approach feedback?
[24:47] – Brian explains this strategy that helps the team boost ideas overall. PART 1
[27:04] – Brian explains this strategy that helps the team boost ideas overall. PART 2
[29:33] – We can find the way there.
[31:00] – What does Brian think about modern work environments?
[33:27] – Are we showing up in a way that matches our values?
[35:47] – Brian talks about being amazed by his children.
[37:03] – “There’s life outside of this.”
[39:00] – Brian mentions one of his favorite bands.
[41:24] – Being comfortable with “enough.”
[43:18] – We learn from each other.