The CUInsight Experience podcast: Nader Moghaddam – Good partners (#99)

“If you make sure your boss wins, you will be successful through their success.” - Nader Moghaddam

Thank you for tuning in to episode 99 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today’s show is Nader Moghaddam, the President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union in California. We talked about what it takes to be a good leader, great insights into board relations, and why that CEO board relationship is so important and difficult for people just moving into the CEO role for the first time. Nader also talks about why he feels it’s important to be part of the credit union system beyond his credit union’s four walls, whether that’s at the state or federal level.

Nader shares why his connections outside of the credit unions’ four walls is so important. He feels he has grown as a leader during this pandemic, and explores the change in traditional credit union responses with work spaces and talent acquisition. Nader also speaks about how important it is to have a good relationship with the board as a C-suite leader and the ability to embrace transition through technological advances.

Listen in, as Nader discusses the motivation for taking the CEO position at Financial Partners Credit Union and how that motivation has changed with years on the job. He believes his team has done a tremendous job with their flexibility, dedication and focus throughout the year and looking forward to the next few quarters. His idea of a great day is taking off on his bike, playing pickleball with his brother, and finishing up with a beer.

Wrapping up with the rapid-fire questions, we learn that Nader is a Pink Floyd fan; he was a shy, studious kid in boarding school, and he thought he was going to be a civil engineer when he grew up. When it comes to who he thinks of when he hears the word success, it’s his father. His father lived a long life and did many things, never sitting idle. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

 

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Nader:
Nader Moghaddam, the President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union
Naderm@fpcu.org
LinkedIn 

 

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Trellance, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Check out all the outstanding work that Nader and his team at Financial Partners Credit Union are doing here.
Shout out: Debbie Painter
Shout out: James
Shout out: Bob Dorsa
Shout out: Phil Altman
Shout out: Darren Hermann
Shout out: Rudy Hanley
Shout out: Jill Nowacki
Shout out: CU Direct
Shout out: California/Nevada Credit Union League
Album mentioned: Darkside of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Book mentioned: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy, Ram Charan and Charles Buck
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Debbie Painter, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64 & 82

In This Episode:
[02:17] – Welcome to the show, Nader!
[03:04] – Nader shares why he feels it’s so important to network and connect outside the walls of his credit union.
[06:18] – Nader speaks about how he has grown as a leader during this past year.
[08:40] – Listen, as Nader discusses some of his biggest concerns for credit unions going forward.
[11:23] – What can credit unions do to stay relevant to financial services?
[13:28] – Nader discusses why having a good relationship with the board is so important.
[16:02] – Nader shares what he will be proudest that he and his team have accomplished a year from now.
[17:14] – He speaks about his motivation for taking the position as President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union.
[19:20] – Has the motivation changed with years on the job?
[22:12] – Nader shares some advice for anyone who desires to become a CEO.
[22:42] – “Always make your boss win because, through their success, you will be successful.”
[23:57] – For the good of the cause and the magnificent FPCU and may the force be with you are two things that his team has heard him say often.
[25:21] – Have you always had the ability to make hard decisions?
[26:39] – That you have all the answers as a leader is a myth he wants to debunk.
[27:21] – Nader speaks about the early mistakes he made and mistakes he sees young leaders make today.
[28:22] – Nader shares some advice he was given that still stays with him.
[29:11] – Nader doesn’t recall having a mentor, but he has had some really good bosses.
[30:16] – He says he would get on his bike, go for a ride, and hit the pickleball court with his brother.
[31:49] – Nader shares that he was shy and serious in boarding school, and the only time he got into trouble was when he acted poorly to being called a name.
[34:34] – Nader thought he would be a civil engineer when he was young.
[35:02] – Do you have any routines that, if you don’t, makes your day feel off?
[35:42] – What is the best album of all time?
[36:32] – Is there a book you think everyone should read?
[37:25] – Getting stuff done has become more important.
[38:29] – Nader shares that his dad is the first person he thinks of when he hears the word success.
[39:32] – Do you have any final thoughts for our listeners?
[40:12] – Thank you for being on the show!

Randall Smith

Randall Smith

Randall Smith is the co-founder of CUInsight.com, the host of The CUInsight Experience podcast, and a bit of a wanderlust. As one of the co-founders of CUInsight he looks ... Web: www.CUInsight.com Details