The Leader You Need Might Not Be From Your Industry
In his latest expert opinion, Shawn Cole takes on one of the credit union industry’s most comfortable assumptions: that the best leaders must come from within its own ranks. While the sector’s close-knit culture has delivered stability, Cole argues it has also created leadership echo chambers that slow innovation and limit long-term growth.
“Homogeneity feels safe, but safety doesn’t equal growth,” Cole writes, pointing to stalled digital transformation and plateauing member engagement as symptoms of an insular leadership model.
His article explores why credit unions that intentionally recruit leaders from outside the industry are often better positioned to adapt, innovate, and deliver measurable ROI—without sacrificing their cooperative values.
Read Cole’s full insights HERE.
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Established in 1990, CU Times is the credit union community’s leading news source. We set the standard for credit union journalism excellence and attract more paid advertising than any other credit union media. Published weekly, its main focus is to provide comprehensive, objective coverage of the latest credit union news. It also offers extensive on-site conference coverage, people features, statistical analysis and expert technology coverage.
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At Cowen Partners, we stand at the forefront of the marketing executive search industry, empowering companies to thrive and excel in their growth, revenue, and market presence. We specialize in identifying exceptional leaders and placing them in key positions to drive success. Our team of seasoned executive recruiters collaborates with organizations of all sizes, encompassing both public and private enterprises, pre-IPO ventures, and non-profit entities.
Through a meticulous and discerning approach, we unite handpicked candidates, with companies in pursuit of the most exceptional executive talent, representing the top 1%.
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