CCUC09 Live - What's Your Big Moo?

How can you engage employees and inspire a spirit of organizational ownership with your employees? You don't have to be bitten by a radioactive spider or be a super hero to transform your abilities and engender inspiration among employees or board members at your credit union.

According to Kirk Weisler, it's all about being positively contagious and infectious.

That doesn't sound like something you would want to be--especially H1N1 floating around. But that's exactly what will shine a light of passion and vision inspiring those you work with.

Kirk cited that 17% of Americans are actively disengaged from work... 54% are simply not engaged according to the Gallup Management Journal. It's a problem that affects morale, affects how credit unions serve their members, and ultimately succeed as leaders in the financial services industry.

How can you address this as a credit union leader?

Recognize and communicate the "big moos" around your workplace and with your members. Your "big moo" takes Purple Cow's premise of being REMARKable to the next level.

It's not simply having something that's remarkable and relying on others to share... you can take control and inspire others by being positively contagious with your communication about the exceptional. Be mindful of what's remarkable about everyday activities we take for granted and make sure others know about it.

Sure, saying your co-worker is doing a good job is one thing. But what if you were to identify and communicate the remarkable? Kirk suggests being positively contagious by sharing how "she is tenacious with deadlines, knows EVERY member she helps by name." That's a much different message than, simply "she's doing a good job."

This type of communication goes beyond simple tasks, and can be extended to how the organization operates, and how you represent your credit union in the community.

Celebrate and relentlessly share your "big moos." This positivity is infectious. The more you do it, the more others will do the same. Soon more and more will be positively contagious and--without thinking--and sharing what's remarkable about their workplace.

It takes leadership and a bit of focus, but before you know it, you'll be your credit union's super hero... transforming attitudes, behavior and ultimately service your credit union experiences.