GALVESTON, Texas-Leadership is about human empowerment, and Tina Hall believes credit union managers need to know how to best inspire employees who are not fully committed.
Hall, president of Kirsi Consultancy in Seattle, is a credit union veteran, having been VP of human resources at Seattle's Verity CU and an education specialist for the Washington CU League. She cited studies that have consistently shown approximately 71% of employees are "disengaged" or just clocking in and out for a paycheck.
"My theory is we are suffering from abundance in today's society," she told attendees of the Texas league's recent Annual Meeting here. "There is an abundance of information and an abundance of choices. People work hard at something they don't love, with the idea that they somehow will become happy later" even though there is no "path to happiness."
What's important, said Hall, is the path itself, and that requires "transcendence" in leadership, meaning surpassing or exceeding the usual limits of ordinary experience. With transcendence comes a ripple effect-a gradually spreading impact or influence.
Deep, Deliberate Practice
"This era is about doing more with less," she said. "Intensity is needed, starting with deep, deliberate, purposeful practice. Kids who are allowed to struggle a little when they first attempt to stand up walk faster than those who are immediately scooped up."
A study of 124 artists, athletes and leaders found it takes an average of 10 years or 10,000 hours of practice before "greatness" is achieved. Hall said this shows "there are no prodigies-talent can be created."
Hall showed a video from the track and field competition in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. In the 400 meter semi-final, England's Derek Redmond was a favorite to capture a medal-perhaps even the gold-until his right hamstring snapped halfway around the track.
Redmond went to the ground in pain before rising and attempting to continue. Unable to put any weight on his leg, he half hopped and half crawled several painful meters before his father, Jim, came out of the stands and propped him up. Jim told Derek he did not have to finish, but when Derek said, "Yes, I do," Jim replied, "Okay, let's do this," and finished the race with his arm around his son.
"That is the essence of leadership," Hall declared. "The leader, Jim, listened to the other person's agenda and did whatever it took to help him succeed. The key is what matters most to people."
How To Inspire Employees
Credit unions are value-centric groups, but Hall said even they sometimes overlook the core of their employees. To find that core, she urged leaders to look for opportunities to have value-based conversations with their employees. "I am a swimmer, so when my employer knows that and celebrates that the result is an increased level of connection and the results from that connection are going to be more powerful."
Of course, Hall often is asked the relevance of feeling "happy" in a business setting. She told Credit Union Journal a typical response is, "This is interesting, but what is the ROI on happiness?"
"It is difficult to say a happy employee will sell three more credit cards or open a certain number of new accounts," Hall acknowledged. "But there are many studies that show happiness leads to reduced absenteeism and increased advocacy for the company. The research shows productivity increases with worker happiness."
