During this summer’s legislative and budget battles in DC various spokespersons presented the credit union point of view. Protecting the tax exemption, interchange fee status quo or jumping on the regulatory reductions were top concerns. Often the credit union position was defended by citing the special value coops provide members.
In one situation a CEO’s testimony would have been contradicted by his own institution’s performance and priorities if Congress had bothered to look it up.
McCormick Foundation Professor Mohanbir Sawhney describes this natural tendency for exaggeration. While his description focuses on individual behavior, it is also relevant to institutional promotions:
“It’s often necessary to cast ourselves in a favorable light on social media, in resumes, in job interviews, and even on first dates.
“But in doing so, sometimes we end up creating a shadow of ourselves that looks taller than who we really are,” Sawhney says in a video on humility.
“When this projection stretches beyond the bounds of reality, we can start to feel disconnected from ourselves, from others, and from opportunities to grow.
“That’s not to say that we shouldn’t promote ourselves or polish our brand. Rather, we should do so, but with humility—by standing tall quietly, without fanfare or drama, and by being confident, but in an understated way.
Do Results Align with our Vision?
The issue is alignment between who you say you are and who you actually are.
Humility isn’t smallness or silence. It’s clarity. It’s knowing your strengths without distorting them. It’s being visible in the right way, for the right reasons.
As the sun sets today, take a look at your credit union’s shadow. What events occurred that gives members a true picture of who you are?