The True Weakest Link: Rethinking Leadership in Credit Unions

It was just a regular coed church volleyball game. Players were 15 and older, and among them, two adults stood out – undeniably talented, powerful, and skilled. On the other end of the spectrum were two younger girls, visibly inexperienced and struggling to keep up.

From the first whistle, the talented duo sulked. They didn’t speak, and resisted rotating out of play. Their frustration was evident. The rest of the team followed that energy. They lost the first set 25-14. But the real loss wasn’t on the scoreboard – it was in the silence, the resignation, the attitude.

Then something shifted.

A more perceptive player began to lead. Not with dominance, but with encouragement. He called out small wins. He cheered mistakes turned into lessons. He challenged the sulkers with smiles. And suddenly, the mood changed. The second set ended 25-18 – in their favor. The third set was a near-win at 16-14, but the real victory was team transformation.

So what's the lesson for us in credit unions?

We often hear: "You’re only as strong as your weakest link." But what if the weakest link isn’t who you think?

Is it really the new hire who's learning the ropes, or is it the tenured professional who’s stopped adapting?

Is it the employee struggling with new tech, or the leader unwilling to mentor?

Maybe the weakest link is an unhealthy culture of blame, silence, or status quo.

True leadership isn't about title, tenure, or technical strength. It's about lifting others, communicating with clarity, and believing in shared growth.

At your credit union, who’s cheering on the quiet contributors? Who’s leading from the middle – not the top? And more importantly, are you creating space for leadership to emerge from anywhere?

Because when we empower voices at every level, we don’t just build stronger teams – we build stronger futures.