The CUInsight Experience podcast: Dan Berger – Built for this (#151)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 151 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and is focused on helping more than 4,000 clients grow or enhance their bottom line, protect their business and consumers, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today’s show is Dan Berger, President and CEO of NAFCU. The team at NAFCU advocates for credit unions nationwide by interacting with government officials and policymakers. NAFCU is committed to representing, assisting, educating and informing credit unions to help them grow and continue serving their members. Starting the new year given the current state of the economy, Dan sees a lot of opportunities for credit unions to serve communities across America. These challenges are what credit unions are built for.

During our conversation, Dan and I discuss how credit unions can serve communities in this heightened climate. He shares some helpful tips for future leaders of the credit union movement and gives advice on how to adjust your team’s focus when priorities change. We discuss the importance of communication when it comes to building and sustaining professional relationships. When strategizing to meet their vision, NAFCU focuses on three things; advocacy, compliance assistance, and education and training. 

Dan and I chat about decision making and knowing when to pivot. He also shares one of the greatest decisions he’s ever made, which set the tone for his career. Dan talks about company culture and feedback and mentions the two main components he looks for in candidates when hiring. Dan shares stories of how he travels to communities across the country to ask questions, get feedback, and fully understand how NAFCU can better serve them and their members. Listen as we talk about creating a vision and helping your team commit to better service for  members.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Dan shares his book recommendations, his biopic casting choice versus his daughter’s casting choice, and his grandpa’s best advice. Enjoy my conversation with Dan Berger!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Dan:
Dan Berger, President and CEO of NAFCU
dberger@nafcu.org
https://www.nafcu.org/
Dan: LinkedIn
NAFCU: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Allied Solutions, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Want to hear more from Dan? Click here.
Place mentioned: Gainesville, Florida
Shout-out: Florida State University
Shout-out: University of Florida
Shout-out: Dan’s father
Shout-out: CAMPUS Credit Union
Shout-out: Bank of America
Shout-out: NAFCU Blogs & Publications
Shout-out: Millennials
Shout-out: Gen Z
Shout-out: Carrie Hunt
Place mentioned: Washington, D.C.
Shout-out: Randy Salser
Shout-out: Anthony Demangone
Shout-out: Greg Mesack
Shout-out: Chuck Fagan
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: Climb Africa to Benefit The ACCOSCA Academy
Shout-out: Mt. Kilimanjaro
Shout-out: George Ombado
Shout-out: John Spence
Shout-out: Warren Buffet
Shout-out: Dale Carnegie
Shout-out: Florida State University
Shout-out: Dan’s daughter
Shout-out: Venmo
Shout-out: PayPal
Shout-out: Zelle
Shout-out: Politico
Place mentioned: Panama
Shout-out: University of Florida
Shout-out: Vanderbilt University
Place mentioned: Nashville, TN
Shout-out: Dan’s wife
Place mentioned: Pennsylvania
Shout-out: Dan’s grandpa
Shout-out: Todd Harper
Shout- out: Chris Hemsworth
Shout- out: Michael C. Hall
Shout-out: NAFCU Credit Union Policy Podcast
Book mentioned: Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness
Book mentioned: Awesomely Simple: Essential Business Strategies for Turning Ideas Into Action by John Spence
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Dan Berger, Carrie Hunt, Randy Salser, Chuck Fagan, John Spence, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, & 148), George Ombado, Todd Harper

In This Episode:
[00:46] – Dan Berger is glad to be back. We’re kicking off Season 5!
[02:20] – When did Dan first connect to credit unions?
[04:10] – Credit unions are looking for tools that’ll serve more communities across America.
[06:43] – “Focus on your responsibilities and do that well.”
[08:41] – Dan suggests getting a coach or consultant during your career.
[11:09] – Dan talks about having a peer group of CEOs to support each other.
[14:05] – How do you create an environment where senior leadership feels comfortable to speak up?
[15:37] – Dan shares how credit union teams can have respectful disagreements.
[18:09] – Sometimes you need to over-communicate.
[20:27] – Dan explains how NAFCU filters their focus to provide better service.
[22:03] – When is it time to make a pivot?
[24:38] – Dan talks about the hiring matrix at NAFCU. What is he looking for in potential team members?
[27:01] – Dan shares why he prefers giving feedback in person.
[29:12] – Get out and talk to people.
[31:12] – How much will work change in the credit union industry?
[33:19] – Help people use their money in an easy and frictionless way.
[35:54] – Dan’s first job was his own business, a lawn care company.
[38:25] – How does Dan create work-life balance?
[40:40] – Dan shares the best advice he got from his grandpa.
[43:11] – It’s a great time to be a credit union.