Real political rhetoric, much more than every day punch and counterpunch, is in full season. Last night I listened to the Obamas’ twin presentations at the Democratic national convention. Afterwards all the TV channels offered their pundits’ assessments of the evening, especially the keynotes by the former President and First Lady.
Sometimes it is hard to know whether one’s reaction to an event is shared by others. Or even what to think about it until we hear how others appraise their experience.
As the PBS panel went from person to person, one commentator’s reaction stood out from his colleagues’ traditional analysis of each speakers’ effectiveness. His was a personal reaction, not a reporter’s professional assessment.
He had reached out to a colleague for a handkerchief during the former president’s speech, weeping. The reason for his reaction was summarized in one phrase. Reacting to Obama’s description of what America could be, he said “I’ve been seen.”
A Credit Union Counterpart?
His reaction reminded me of a conversation last week with a CEO’s who has an unusual approach to leadership. I had reached out to learn about the credit union’s participation in an affordable housing program. To prepare for the interview I went to the web site and looked up the June 2024 financials.
The numbers were impressive. But the website had a different “vibe” than most. It had a ten-minute 2010 video interview with the first president and his wife, a reminder of the commitment necessary to start a credit union in the 1950’s. Then there was this vision: “To be member loved.”
Was this phrase just another cute PR effort? How could an emotion be translated into a real business strategy? Who was behind this approach to credit union leadership?
Tomorrow I will share my conversation with the CEO who developed this unique effort of “seeing others.” It is the central tenet of the credit union’s business model and market advantage. It takes effort, and it works.