Most credit union leaders see themselves as caring, encouraging leaders. But the people they are leading don't really feel cared about or encouraged, says Lou Centini, senior director of executive education at the Darden School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Credit union observers (employees) consistently rated their CEOs and managers lowest in the leadership areas of "Enabling Others to Act" and "Encouraging the Heart," Centini reported in an executive report. Credit union leaders rated surprisingly low in these two very "people-helping-people" areas that, by their philosophical nature, credit unions should be better in, Centini reports. Credit unions are heart-enabling organizations, he explains. Their core essence is their personal relationships - with members and with employees. A strong focus on the people skills of leadership is critical to success, echoes Steve Weakley, president/CEO of $257 million Vons Employees Federal Credit Union.

Managerial skills
Guidelines
Personal relationships
Polls & surveys