The CUInsight Experience podcast: Tricia Szurgot – Think infinite (#163)

In episode 163 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, host Randy Smith, a co-founder of CUInsight.com, sits down with Tricia Szurgot, President and CEO of Securityplus FCU.

This episode is brought to you by CUES, the credit union industry’s leading talent development solutions provider. After listening to our show, be sure to learn more about TalentNEXT, the conference that takes a laser-focused look at smart people strategies for your credit union. Register today!

In this episode I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Tricia Szurgot, a seasoned credit union professional known for her innovative thinking and transformative leadership. The episode, titled “Think Infinite,” offers an inspiring glimpse into Szurgot’s journey and her views on driving positive change within the industry.

As the president and CEO at Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Tricia Szurgot brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast. Her passion for cultivating exceptional member experiences and embracing technology to enhance credit union operations shines through in her thought-provoking insights.

During the podcast, Szurgot and I delve into a range of topics, exploring her unique perspective on innovation, the role of technology, and the importance of collaboration within the credit union community. Szurgot shares her vision of creating infinite possibilities for credit unions and challenges conventional thinking, encouraging professionals to embrace change and push boundaries.

Szurgot’s “Think Infinite” mindset revolves around exploring new frontiers and breaking free from the limitations of traditional practices. She emphasizes the need for credit unions to adapt to rapidly evolving member expectations and embrace emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to stay ahead of the curve.

Recognizing the power of collaboration, Szurgot stresses the importance of building meaningful partnerships within the credit union ecosystem. By joining forces, credit unions can leverage shared resources, expertise, and data to deliver exceptional member experiences and compete with larger financial institutions.

Episode 163 of The CUInsight Experience podcast featuring Tricia Szurgot is a must-listen for credit union professionals and enthusiasts. Szurgot’s unwavering commitment to innovation, her emphasis on technology-driven transformation, and her advocacy for collaboration highlight the path toward a vibrant and sustainable future for credit unions. Through her inspirational words, Szurgot encourages listeners to embrace infinite thinking, challenge the status quo, and unlock the limitless possibilities within the credit union industry.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Tricia:
Tricia Szurgot, President and CEO at Securityplus FCU
tricia.szurgot@securityplusfcu.org
securityplusfcu.org
Tricia: LinkedIn
Securityplus: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at CUES, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Want to hear more from Tricia? Click here.
Place mentioned: Baltimore, MD
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: Discovery FCU
Place mentioned: Pennsylvania
Shout-out: Tricia’s husband
Place mentioned: Atlanta, GA
Shout-out: Georgia Tech
Historic event mentioned: COVID-19 Pandemic
Shout-out: Monica Belz
Place mentioned: Hawaii
Place mentioned: Africa
Shout-out: ACCOSCA
Shout-out: ChatGPT
Shout-out: M-Pesa
Shout-out: Humanidei
Shout-out: Carl Clark 
Blog post mentioned: How “parenting out loud” can improve your workplace
Shout-out: Tricia’s son
Shout-out: Institute for the Future
Shout-out: Apple Bank for Savings
Shout-out: Audible
Shout-out: Ray Ragan
Shout-out: Warren Buffet
Shout-out: Dale Carnegie
Shout-out: CUES CEO Institute
Shout-out: CUES
Place mentioned: Maryland
Shout-out: Tricia’s parents
Shout-out: Leo Ardine
Shout-out: Harvard Business Review
Shout-out: Porsche
Shout-out: Sandra Bullock
Shout-out: Jennifer Aniston
Artist mentioned: Led Zeppelin
Album mentioned: The Wall by Pink Floyd
Song mentioned: Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh
Book mentioned: The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly
Book mentioned: A Beautiful Constraint: How To Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, and Why It’s Everyone’s Business by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden
Book mentioned: Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Monica Belz, Leo Ardine (episodes 21, 150), Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, 148, & 161)

In This Episode:
[00:50] – Tricia Szurgot says she started working straight out of high school.
[02:19] – Did Tricia go to college later?
[05:03] – Tricia talks about what she felt while she was out of the credit industry.
[07:38] – How can credit unions leverage technology while keeping member service human-centric?
[10:19] – Tricia talks about starting her new CEO role, and gives tips for first-time CEOs.
[13:13] – Why is it important to be curious in difficult conversations?
[16:06] – How has parenthood influenced Tricia’s leadership style?
[18:34] – What does it mean to be a certified futurist?
[21:15] – Tricia explores the future of the credit union industry. How can teams prepare for changes?
[23:28] – What does Tricia look for when building a leadership team?
[26:16] – Find team members who are focused on co-creating the initiative’s future. PART 1
[28:12] – Find team members who are focused on co-creating the initiative’s future. PART 2
[30:07] – Tricia is a huge advocate of education, both formal and informal.
[33:02] – What is Tricia’s “future of work” philosophy?
[35:52] – You can do anything you want.
[37:46] – Tricia talks about her first job as a lifeguard and her excitement at seeing her son come into his own.
[39:57] – Tricia says she’s making room for more balance in her life.
[42:34] – Does Tricia have any recent tips for balancing work and life? PART 1
[44:36] – Does Tricia have any recent tips for balancing work and life? PART 2
[47:30] – “Think infinitely and act purposefully.”