MONTEREY, Calif. - According to Joe Sullivan, the five characteristic traits of a leader are:
1. Vision. “You cannot take action if you do not have vision.”
2. Passion. “I think we have in financial services a leadership vacuum. It’s dull. Passion helps people to emotionally show up.”
3. Communication. “You cannot be a leader if you cannot communicate.”
4. Connection. “We must find common ground. When you find something in common with someone, you see them differently. Here’s where sales training falls awry. Look for common ground to establish that connection with the member. Ask yourself, ‘Have I ever judged someone and found out I was completely off the mark?’ I want you to take a 25-year-old colleague to lunch, board members included. Pick the person you know the least about and who makes you most uncomfortable, and make a connection with them.”
5. Ask for help and support. “Start an innovation committee with people at your CU under age 30, and make their job just to pump out ideas. You will have to bite your tongue.”
