One credit union executive I tried to work with had pretty much given up on his credit union. How did I know he gave up? When something negative would happen such as an increase in loan delinquency, or a new competitor came to town, he would always have the same response: "Whatcha gonna do?"
He went on to say he only needed to make a few more years to retirement, and besides, the world is just a different place than it once was. Then he would shake his head, tell me he had no need for my services because he wasn't sure he could afford them, and even if he could, it wouldn’t make any difference.
He was right about one thing: the world is a different place than it once was, and he had been CEO of that credit union for over 40 years. Times have sure changed.
Because of so much going on it's easy to fall into reactive mode or heaven forbid, "victim" mode as this gentleman had allowed himself to do. Waiting to see how things shake out and then reacting to that is waiting too late. Opportunity can be lost. Also, since you waited for everyone else to start going the same way, you are now just an option in a commodity market. The credit union environment has changed and those getting ahead are those taking a proactive stance on planning for the future with a specific vision in mind. When you are proactive in your vision and plan, it rallies people behind your direction, it gets people excited to buy-in and you become more in control of your vision.
Not to mention, employees respond better to an executive who takes a proactive stance instead of waiting for the opportunity, then makes a reaction. Would you rather be in control and design your results or wait and hope for the best? You are in charge -- you call the play.
-- Russell
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