Category: Observations

(by Jim Blaine)

Must be the high season for letters of recommendation – those succinct summaries of superlatives for men and women of distinction.  This time around the injured party is Maurice Ravelle Smith. The pantheon of choice: The Cooperative Hall of Fame sponsored by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and its’ international arm, the Cooperative League of the USA (CLUSA).

For those not in the know, NCBA/CLUSA is the 106 year-old trade/advocacy organization for all forms of cooperatives – producer, consumer, worker, purchasing, service, and social cooperatives, including credit unions. At heart the members of NCBA/CLUSA are an eccentric, motley crew of die-hard idealists, with an organizational vision “to build a better world and a more inclusive economy”. Well, they certainly have their work cut out for them!

As you might imagine, NCBA/CLUSA does not accept any run-of-the-mill folks into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Leaders of the usual sort need not apply, something more is expected – statesmanship, lasting achievement, cooperative advancement, distinct recognition. Exceptional leadership is the standard – the real thing.

“Deifying” the Movement

Maurice Smith is the real thing. While Mr. Smith’s service as CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union – and in numerous leadership roles at CUNA, Co-op Bank and on the boards of his local university, hospital and church – is remarkable; what is exceptional about Mr. Smith is his success in “deifying” the credit union movement. The Bible has its “Ten Commandments” and until recently the credit union movement had its “Seven Cooperative Principles”. Now it has eight! The fault lies with Mr. Smith.

The eighth cooperative principle for credit unions is: “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) – a disruptive idea fraught with complex challenges in a world stubbornly fractured by loyalties to clan, tribe, sect, nation, class, and heritage. Suspicion is often the norm. Is this an opportunity or a problem?  Fresh or “woke”?

The path forward, off-road, but on track, is awkward, tense, and uncertain – a tight wire perhaps, without safety net. Who in his right mind would lead us purposefully out over the abyss? Only a man of conscience, a noble and courageous leader, with a strong sense of justice. DEI will definitely challenge most of us, challenge us to cooperate, challenge us to change.

Tack and Tact

One sailing against the prevailing wind must tack, a leader fomenting change must have tact. Always courteous, considerate, and polite, Maurice Smith was able to achieve this revolutionary credit union change without uprising or revolt, because he is trusted by his peers and respected by all for his integrity.

Life is not the way it is supposed to be, it’s the way it is.  Just take a look around. The way you chose to deal with life and people makes all the difference.

It’s unfortunate   our best path forward at this time is DEI. Too bad we can’t simply honor and accept each other for who we are. But at least in the short run, DEI will force us to focus on our differences, in hopes that in the long run we will recognize we aren’t.

You have noticed that all those different colored M&M’s all taste the same, haven’t you?  Perhaps in the future, the eighth cooperative principle will become “dignity, equanimity and intelligence”, which are higher human standards and an apt description of Maurice Ravelle Smith!

Maurice Smith grew up in Southport, North Carolina. I have known him for over 40 years as a colleague and friend. He is a model of good manners. His mother – he still calls her daily! – and his father reared him to honor his roots and to always sow seeds for the future. The success of their lessons is apparent. Maurice Smith is an exceptional human being – the real thing.

Mr. Smith, through his DEI-fication of credit unions, has sowed the seeds for the continued success of our cooperative movement…let’s hope it is a bountiful crop!

And it will be, if you and I cooperate…

(from Jim Blaine)

(“Last blush”… for an old favorite!)

 

Let’s go forward courageously; and forthrightly deal with the most important issue confronting the Credit Union Movement. No, it’s not taxation, the banks, CFPB, nor the NCUA. Our most pressing challenge is “dress down Fridays” or “business casual” if you prefer.

Business-casual – actually “business sloppy” is a good bit more descriptive – has become a fashionable idea in some credit union circles. Many progressive Boards and managers, who support the wind whichever way it blows, have adopted this new benchmark for professional attire. The “new look”fits well on the revisionists’  list of “new age” credit union principles – few, of which, are worth dying for.

Proponents assert that the new dress standards create a more relaxed work environment; make employees feel more comfortable; boost morale; and are strongly supported by the membership. Yeah, un-huh! I guess the best that can be said for this type of slender logic is that it’s only mildly “robust”!

It truly comes as a surprise to some of us that we are supposed to feel all “cozy and comfy” at work and should treat our duties in a relaxed, casual manner.

Maybe we have misunderstood all along the realities of the modern workplace.  We really must have things backwards!  False Assumption Number One must be the belief that “our” job actually belongs to the credit union – and its membership. False Assumption Number Two must be the belief that we are employed and paid to do what is necessary and required, not what’s convenient and comfortable. False Assumption Number Three must be that we are engaged in an extremely competitive, take no prisoners service business. And, False Assumption Number Four must be that our members expect, and are demanding, more from us – not less.

Old Fogey! Old Fogey! I can hear you crowing all the way from here! But, let’s compromise. If dressing down is truly good for the Credit Union Movement, let’s really go for it! Let’s take it to the limit with the ultimate Dress Down Day – Naked Fridays! It could work wonders with the membership! For example, Naked Fridays will definitely build member traffic; grousing about long lines will decline; and no one will ever again notice if a teller fails to smile.

This idea was broached recently with our staff.

Their reaction broke down into two distinct groups: those who were indignant and those who were very indignant! There were some surprises, however, among the actual responses. Older employees, figuring they had more to gain than lose, unanimously supported the proposal. Female employees were particularly difficult to convince. They did not object, in general, to the concept; but argued forcefully for a pay differential since they felt they added greater value. Equally disruptive, the female staff adamantly refused to pledge not to giggle around their male co-workers!

One previously ardent advocate for “business sloppy” became particularly incensed when she was asked how she would feel about coming to work on Fridays naked. It was an innocent enough question; but she became enraged; started yelling wildly; and pointed her finger decisively at me. I won’t tell you what she said, nor which finger she was pointing; let’s just say it wasn’t very pretty!“Communications” around the Credit Union were, at least, “really good” for a week or so…

Although a final decision has not been made, we probably will not go forward with the “Naked Friday” idea. There are just too many unresolved questions. Y’know the devil is always in the details. For example, would it be appropriate to ask or comment about a co-worker’s previously unrevealed tattoos?  Does failure to look a co-worker in the eye constitute sexual harassment? Should items dropped on the floor be picked up? It all just gets too complicated!  Besides, the Accounting Department started cautioning about higher heating and maternity leave costs. They’re always so drudgingly practical! The Internal Auditors did feel, interestingly, that the absence of pockets might help improve internal controls.

And, Marketing – bless their hearts – tried to stay upbeat with slogans such as: “We’ll give you the shirt off our backs” and“No Hidden Fees; No Hidden Costs; No Hidden Anything!”

We did have a couple of “King Solomons” who proposed several “simple solutions”. One was the “just blue jeans alternative”. But it was quickly killed, because most of us are of such an age that we are painfully aware of how we now look in blue jeans. We understand that we are the reason that overall denim sales have soared while the number of pairs sold has remained constant.

Another alternative suggested was organization-wide leisure suits (lime green, no less!), but fortunately clearer thinking prevailed.

Others called for “Theme Days”, when we would all dress alike around a common idea. This suggestion held much support until the wags began calling for Lady Gaga Mondays, Tacky Tuesdays, Dress-in-Drag Wednesdays, and No Bath, No Makeup Thursdays. And, lastly, for what it’s worth, I tried not to take it personally when that outraged employee, previously mentioned, called pointedly for “Idiot Days”.

Oh, well, who knows? Maybe we will eventually find an answer. Until that time, I guess we’ll continue to operate as though each of us truly needs our job; as though what each of us does is vital to the success of the Credit Union; as though being fashionably average is not good enough; as though Credit Unions are not a competitively protected class; and as though we’re here to raise the standard, not “lower the bar”.

As to employee morale, it seems you can’t pay those who work for money too little and you can’t pay those who work out of pride too much. Nor can you teach someone to care. Granted, it’s a lot harder to be something more, than to be something less; and life is never going to be comfortable when you’re trying to make a difference.

 

Old fashioned? You bet, ’cause “this ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no foolin’ around…”

(from Jim Blaine)

This one’s about leadership, but it’ll take you a little while to find that out.  Leadership’s that way quite often.  With leaders, last impressions are usually more accurate than first impressions;  and appearances, unfortunately, can frequently be deceiving.

But if you survive this next little ride you’ll come away with a surefire, can’t miss, “spot the leader” identification methodology. A “new paradigm” for you MBA types.

How this all got started was a mid-week road trip to Kings Dominion with a small herd of high-decibel youngsters, mostly mine. For the in-cognoscenti , Kings Dominion is an amusement park one exit north of Richmond, Virginia.  They would have built in Richmond, but the State Legislature already runs a three-ring circus at that exit.

 The roller coasters were why we were headed to Kings Dominion. They’re the main attraction. Not to say there aren’t many others. One big draw, for example, is the “volunteers from the crowd” karaoke show, which the emcee promises “requires no talent to participate.” The absolute truth of that statement usually becomes pretty obvious rather quickly. Critics in the crowd overheard to remark, “Heck, I can sing that well” probably haven’t really thought through that observation carefully enough .

Another major entertainment is good old-fashioned “people watching.” There is always an extremely wide variety of exotic folks at an amusement park. And, usually there is an exotic variety of extremely wide folks, too. But much like risk-based lending, the rabble can be divided into two distinct groups – the have and the have-nots. In this case, that’s not a distinction based on wealth. The division is between those who have enough clothes on and those who have not. Well, the have-nots do, at least, seem to have the more complete tans. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

But my favorite thrill – other than the coasters – is the Scrambler. For those of you who haven’t been around much, so to speak, the Scrambler is 12 whirling cars on three separate pods that sling you toward, and spare you from, oblivion at ever increasing speeds. The Scrambler is the ultimate smile machine. The toughest hombre, the dourest Puritan, even the most jaded CPA can’t resist a broad grin when this mechanical marvel spins into action.

As the velocity rises, each rider’s “public mask” gradually weakens, then falls completely away. And for a few brief moments, you can gaze directly into the hidden child heart of another person’s soul. Souls are private places which, when uncovered, search frantically for shelter from the light. But with the Scrambler, only raw happiness – that which is best in each of us – is spun to the surface. And, it’s quite alright, and very reassuring, to enthusiastically stare. If you do take a look, don’t miss the revelation that we’re all very human and, at heart, very much akin – that’s something really worth learning before it’s too late and the ride is over.

Leadership and Roller Coasters

But, I came to tell you about leadership and that’s where the roller coasters come in. Kings Dominion has a bunch of them with names like The Rebel Yell, The Anaconda, The Hurler, The Grizzly, Shockwave and The Avalanche. You can ride these thrills forwards, backwards, over, under, inside, outside, up, down, sitting, standing, or my recommendation, kneeling and praying!

Riding a roller coaster evokes many of the same emotions as running a credit union, rolling out a new marketing campaign, or leading a DP conversion. “Shucks, it can’t be that bad…”  “This is going to be fun…”  “Whose idea was this?”  “Well, at least it can’t get any worse…”  “If I ever get out of this, I promise…” Guess you get the idea.

This time around, on one particular roller coaster ride there was an unfortunate accident. The to-and-fro and up-and-down was just too much for one young’un, who unswallowed his lunch while being closely held in the lap of his mother. When the ride ended, it wasn’t difficult to tell from Mom’s face (and clothes!) that this unexpected extra little thrill was just about “too much.” As opposed to the Scrambler, this is one of those soul-searching moments when it’s only polite to look away!

The roller coaster quickly emptied, of course, and the waiting throng watched and waited for the “now what” with much anticipation. The rides are operated by teams of young people. I’m sure they are summer help, awaiting the advent of the fall semester at local universities and colleges. It’s apparent that they’ve been chosen with great care, because all are neat, attractive people in their blue knit and pressed tan khaki.

The Leader’s Test

Surprisingly, on this occasion, all the “service team” seemed to have missed “the mess” and to be thoroughly occupied with other duties; though it was difficult to determine exactly what those “other duties” involved. The team members were all desperately looking anywhere other than toward the “scene of the crime.” As time passed and the tension mounted, the feigned ignorance developed into a serious game of chicken. Who would blink first?

There are certain problems and situations in life that only a leader will handle. Such problems and situations are of a type which should not be avoided and cannot be ignored; and, of a type which only the uncivilized or unjust would try to delegate to others. These are the type of problems that we all can see “somebody needs to do something about that.” Most of us aren’t willing to be that “somebody.”

Next time you have “a little mess” at your credit union, watch for who steps forward to clean it up. Always promote the first person “to grab the mop.” They really are somebody.

And, if your hand is not the first one on the mop, perhaps you should give that a little thought, too….

(March 14, 2011)

From the Second Inaugural Address March 4, 1865 to a divided nation.

At 701 words this is the second shortest address given by a President. He invokes God fourteen times, and mentions the Bible four times.  He uses inclusive language to avoid polarizing further the nation’s feelings at the war’s termination.  He talks about forgiveness and reconciliation.  In the style of a preacher from the Great Awakening, he first provides a scriptural injunction and closes with an imperative, therefor we must. . .

Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.  It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces (Gen 3:19); but let us judge not, that we be not judged (Matt 7:1).  The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.

With malice toward none, with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves and with all nations.

Editor’s comment:

This excerpt is  from a lecture by Dr. Ronald C. White (BA, UCLA; PhD Princeton University) an independent scholar and authority on Abraham Lincoln. He is the author of Lincoln in Private: What His Most Personal Reflections Tell Us about Our Greatest President.

Lincoln’s words are timeless, especially as we face  our political divisions today.  They were transformative when first prepared.  They feel even more profound today.

Ronald White’s complete lecture can be heard here.

Lincoln’s meditation on Divine Will September 2, 1861.

The Civil War was not going well.  There had been a second Union defeat at the battle of Bull Run.  He became depressed.   These are thoughts written to himself found in John Hay’s papers.

The will of God prevails.  In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God.  Both may be, and one must be wrong.  God cannot be for, and against the same thing at the same time. 

In the present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party—and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect his purpose  I am almost ready to say this is probably true—that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet.  By his mere quiet power, on the minds of the now contestants.

He could have either saved or destroyed he Union without a human contest.  And having begun, He could give final victory either side any day.  Yet the contest proceeds. 

Editor’s comment:

This excerpt is  from a lecture by Dr. Ronald C. White (BA, UCLA; PhD Princeton University) an independent scholar and authority on Abraham Lincoln. He is the author of Lincoln in Private: What His Most Personal Reflections Tell Us about Our Greatest President.

His book is based on 111 private notes Lincoln wrote to himself which provide insights  into his personal, religious and  intellectual journey as a politician and statesmen. 

Lincoln’s words are timeless, especially as we face  our political divisions today.  They were transformative when first prepared.  They feel even more relevant today.

Ronald White’s complete lecture can be heard here.

Lincoln’s note to himself on Slavery, July 1, 1854

Lincoln served one term in Congress from 1847-1849.   He was defeated for reelection in part due to his questioning of president Polk ‘s war on Mexico– which Lincoln’s constituents did support.  This brief note shows how he develops his political positions by first presenting his opponent’s point of view.  And then rebutting it.

If A. can prove, however conclusively, that he may, of right, enslave B.—why may not B. snatch the same argument, and prove equally, that he may enslave A.?  You say A. is white, and B. is black.  It is color, then; the lighter, having the the right to enslave the darker? Take care.  By this rule, you are to be a slave to the first man you  meet, with a fairer skin than your own.

You do not mean color exactly?–You mean whites are intellectually the superiors to blacks, and therefore have the right to enslave them?  Take care again.  By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.

But say you, it is a question of interest; and if you can make it your interest, you the right to enslave another.  Very well. And if he can make it his interest, he has the right to enslave you. 

Editor’s comment:

This note is  from a lecture by Dr. Ronald C. White (BA, UCLA; PhD Princeton University) an independent scholar and authority on Abraham Lincoln. He is the author of Lincoln in Private: What His Most Personal Reflections Tell Us about Our Greatest President.

His book is based on 111 private notes Lincoln wrote to himself which provide insights  into his personal, religious and  intellectual journey as a politician and statesmen. 

Lincoln’s words are timeless.  They were transformative when first prepared.  The logic is  still profound today.

Ronald White’s complete lecture can be heard here.