Credit Union Magazine - January 2009 - (Page 23)

leaders must accept the challenge, stay focused, and believe in themselves to efficiently lead others.” During the past year, Blaske says the looming feeling of uncertainty has led to many sleepless nights. “I can’t help wondering,” she says, “What does this tough economy mean for my credit union, and where do I take my team from here?” But when she gets in a panic mode, she says she pulls herself back to Accept the challenge the importance of being a strong, valuTracy Blaske, able leader. president/CEO Sometimes it’s of $160 milmind over matlion asset First ter when leadAmerican Credit ing by example Union, Beloit, during a difficult Wis.—a CEO economy. for less than Blaske tries to two years— remember, “I am admits she has Tracy Blaske a leader in the questioned her minds of others, ability to handle and that means I’d better the next set of events that crashes through her door. act like a leader. “Change is the only “When the seat changed thing I know is going to and I became the one happen tomorrow, so you who held the reins,” she have to learn to deal with says, “I felt the most it at every level of the important thing I could organization,” she says. do was not forget the “The amount of inforvaluable lessons I learned mation available through over the years in the thousands of channels employee-created handrequires a great deal of book of ‘what not to do organizational skills,” she as the boss.’ I try to stay adds. “It’s the key to sanfocused and remember ity, good project managewhere I came from.” ment, and organizational But, she adds, the botprogress.” tom line is: “Credit union was the chairman of the board of the bank where I was working,” she says. “His core philosophy was this: If you expect the best of people and give them the opportunity to do the right thing, that’s what they’ll do.” That’s why Lagomarsino is committed to clear and open employee communication. “It builds trust and empowers employees to serve members in the best and most appropriate manner possible.” Stay true to self of the credit union to Tough economic times both internal and external challenge leaders to stay stakeholders.” the course and keep the Strong credit union credit union’s core values leaders in today’s chalfirmly in place, says lenging times exhibit Gail DeBoer, president/ several traits, she adds. CEO, $320 million asset “First, you need to SAC Federal Credit have sincerity, integrity, Union, Bellevue, and candor in Neb. all your actions. CEOs need Then, when you a strategic and set goals and competitive have a vision focus, and the for the credit board of direcunion’s future, tors must underthat vision stand its role is needs to be felt Gail DeBoer changing, she throughout the maintains. organization.” “It’s a more compliAnother differentiatcated world today because ing factor between good of the new free marketand great leaders is keepplace environment. And ing up on important it’s imperative that credit issues. While the churnunion directors be more ing economy makes it businesslike as volundifficult to “lead by the teers,” she stresses. book,” strong leaders Stay true to your guidstay on top of current ing principles, urges issues through education, DeBoer, who has been she says. with SAC Federal for DeBoer makes time 20 years, and CEO for to cull good leadership two years. ideas from those with She has developed sevin-depth and wide expeeral primary principles for rience in business. guiding the credit union. “I spend a significant The most important: amount of time reading “Never take your eyes business books and then off the mission or the cul- using what’s highlighted ture of the credit union. by these business leaders It’s critical that you don’t to build excellence at lose the focus of the SAC,” she adds. ‘people helping people’ philosophy. “Equally critical,” she adds, “is communicating the safety and soundness JANUARY 2009t CREDIT UNION MAGAZINE cuna.orgt 23 http://www.cuna.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Credit Union Magazine - January 2009

Credit Union Magazine - January 2009 Contents On My Way Leading Edge Spotlight President's Perspective Game Plan Washington Insider Wright Stuff Executive Suite Reverse Mortgages Come of Age Six Merger Myths Leading-Edge Lenders TwentyFour/Seven Bankruptcy Compliance Tools of the Trade Trendlines Rates & Ratios Council Corner Shoptalk System Scan Marketplace Branching Out Advertiser Index

Credit Union Magazine - January 2009

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