Credit Union Core Values: Guiding Principles for Success

Hello everyone, and thank you for tuning in. Today, we're diving into credit union core values. I’m here to share how your principles aren’t just words on a wall, but powerful tools that guide you in making decisions and shaping your workplace culture.

So, what are core values? 

They express our beliefs, help us navigate challenges, and inspire us to excellence. They should not be abstract concepts but practical guides that we live by every day.

Let me share with you some core values from an actual credit union.

This credit union spoke of three key principles: A Life-Long Learning Promise, Always Appreciating Others, and Operating with Transparency and Integrity. Let's dig into each one:

A Life-Long Learning Promise. We value being a learning organization. We are committed to the financial well-being of our members and helping them achieve their goals.

No. 2, Always Appreciate Others. We listen intently, engage often, and offer unconditional understanding to our members, colleagues and partners.

And finally, Operating with Transparency and Integrity.  We are fiscally responsible, always protecting and safeguarding credit union assets.

With this in mind, our example credit union identified four core values that guide how they communicate with one another and their members. They call it F-U-E-L, or FUEL.

F - Fiscally responsible. Being fiscally responsible is part of our commitment to helping members achieve their financial goals.

U – Understand unconditionally. We all have a root belief system and see things in different ways. We open ourselves up to new experiences and strive to understand the viewpoints of others.

E – Engage often. Highly engaged employees are key to the member experience. We are to be fully absorbed and connected to deliver mutually beneficial results. With every encounter, we seek deeper, more personal relationships.

And finally, L – Listen intently. We listen with the intent to understand and learn – not with the intent to just reply. Be present in the moment. Effective listening helps foster commitment and trust. 

There you have it! Imagine if your credit union had such strong convictions. Of course, your actions should reflect your values and support your purpose. The key is putting others first, and it is gratitude that keeps us hopeful, expands possibilities, and gives us the power to act graciously and effect change. 

As we've seen, core values are more than just motivational posters. They are benchmarks for what we aspire to be. Here’s how you can integrate your core values into your daily routine at the credit union:

No. 1, Reflect Daily: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on how your actions align with our values.

Two, Lead by Example: Whether you are in a management position or part of a team, exemplify our values in every action and interaction.

And three, Challenge the Status Quo: Ask if there’s another way to embody our values even more deeply, especially when making tough decisions.

As we continue to grow and evolve, our core values remain our foundation. They are not just what we do. They are who we are. 

Thank you for sharing this time with me. And as always, remember: Ideas spark change, but actions ignite it.