To ensure a life well-lived and an interesting obituary, I have a rule: do something epic every year. Some years are more epic than others, and epic-ness is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless, this forces me to reflect upon what I want my look back to be, and consequently live the life of purpose and adventure that I envision.
The same principle of looking ahead for a better today can be applied to creating your leadership legacy. Your legacy is the measure of impact you have on others. By intentionally crafting and living it now, you become the leader you want to be. Waiting until retirement to consider your impact on others is a wasted opportunity – for you, your credit union, and the community.
At the upcoming DCUC Annual Conference (July 28 to August 1, Palm Desert, CA), I’m speaking on how the credit union community needs its leaders to actively build their legacy. Instilling your values and guiding principles can have a profound impact upon a talented and aspiring associate. Being intentional in what, when, and how you share makes you a better leader. During the session “What Is Your Leadership Legacy?,” we will look at practical ways to define and optimize your influence.
“People helping people” extends to the credit union professional community, specifically your inhouse talent. With more than 30% of credit union CEOs at retirement age and increased turnover across all leadership ranks, there is a pressing need to keep the leadership pipeline strong. This includes growing the pipeline to create a deeper bench with promising young talent. The NCUA succession planning rule, effective January 1, 2026, prompts credit unions to document their process. However, the need to survive and thrive should drive credit unions to formalize and fund their program.
A methodical approach to creating your leadership legacy involves several steps and considerations:
- Introspection: What impact do I currently have on others? Am I a positive or passive influencer? What natural skills do I possess that make me a leader (versus a good boss)? Does my style produce the desired results
- Crafting a personal mission statement: What leadership traits does my organization need for future success? Is this sustainable? How can this adapt to changing priorities?
- Implementation: Am I getting the results I expected? Do I see the desired behavioral change in those around me? Am I satisfied?
I’d love to hear about a credit union leader who impacted your own leadership persona. Drop by our conference session or reach out. We will also be doing regional workshops in the fall.
In case you are wondering, here are a few epic adventures so far: climbing Mt. Fuji; flyfishing in the Andes; watching bears on the beach in Alaska; teaching sustainable gardening in the community.
Additional resources: Executive Benefits and Succession Planning Webinars
