Why cooperation is effective

As an advocacy organization, NAFCU works on behalf of our members who have entrusted us with their voice in Washington, D.C. We are a single entity, but our actions represent and defend many – not just credit unions, but also the 137 million Americans they serve.

Our Government Affairs team at NAFCU is the best in the business. They are passionate about the credit union industry and have expertise in how Congress and regulators function. Our Compliance team helps decipher regulations, but credit unions are the ones putting processes in place. It is our members who work daily with individuals, families, and small businesses to help them achieve financial prosperity. They know best how laws and regulations will impact their ability to do so.

That’s why when we fight for policies to strengthen our industry, we embody the industry’s cooperative spirit and mission of “people helping people.” We seek input from our members, and they join us in our advocacy. We join forces with other groups within the financial services industry whose members share our position on critical issues. We are an effective advocate for the credit union industry because we are many working together as one.

As leaders, we have a choice in how we lead. Some leaders choose to lean on their title to protect their position of power. They lead with a sense of entitlement and a know-it-all attitude. They operate under the illusion that they can do it all by themselves.

Great leaders recognize they don’t know everything, that they can’t do it all alone. So, they count on their team, who collectively have all the skills and expertise needed for the organization to be successful. They aren’t scared to ask for help. Great leaders are also intentional about seeking feedback – on their personal performance and that of the organization – to consider viewpoints different from their own.

The next time you are faced with a challenge, consider approaching it with the credit union industry’s cooperative mindset. Working together is the most effective way to learn, grow, and succeed.