Strategic Leadership - DDJ Myers

“You have to really understand yourself before you can be a leader of others.” – Deedee MyersThank you for tuning in to The CUInsight Network, with your host, Robbie Young, Vice President of Strategic Growth at CUInsight. In The CUInsight Network, we take a deeper dive with the thought leaders who support the credit union community. We discuss issues and challenges facing credit unions and identify best practices to learn and grow together.My guest on today’s show is returning guest Deedee Myers, CEO of DDJ Myers. She joins me for this episode for a conversation about what it takes for credit unions to keep moving forward. We have previously talked about the future of credit union leadership, and this time, we’re building on that discussion with a closer look at the people and practices that can make a real difference. We kick things off with the boardroom, with Deedee sharing why a high-performing board can become a genuine competitive advantage and why a status-quo mindset can have the opposite effect. The two of us discuss what separates boards that are actively shaping their organizations from those which have become too comfortable, including the importance of preparation, meaningful conversations, accountability and keeping pace with a changing industry.Throughout our conversation, we discuss technology, generational change, and the evolving role of HR, with Deedee explaining why board members need broader experiences with the technology and services their members use as well as why HR has an increasingly important seat at the planning table. Deedee also gives us a look at what’s ahead for DDJ Myers and its expanding relationship with ALM First, including a more integrated approach to supporting credit unions from the balance sheet to the boardroom.As we wrap up the conversation, we have a little fun and so something a little unusual. Deedee's son Bryce Myers-Haeussler joins us for our rapid-fire questions, sharing his own career plans, favorite ways to recharge and some exciting personal milestones, and we finally wrap up with a reminder from DeeDee to recognize our own mastery, keep growing into it and help others find theirs! I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Deedee Myers!Connect with Deedee:Deedee Myers, CEO at DDJ Myers, Ltd.ddjmyers.comDeedee: LinkedInDDJ Meyers, Ltd.: LinkedInShow notes from this episode:Shout-out: ZoomShout-out: IPadShout-out: America’s Credit Unions CouncilShout-out: Peter MyersShout-out: ALM FirstShout-out: Bryce Myers-HaeusslerBook mentioned: The Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think Possible by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Blake EricksonShout-out: OnPath Federal Credit UnionBook mentioned: The Gray Man Series by Mark GreaneyShout-out: Bryce’s brother ScottShout-out: Eagle ScoutShout-out: Deedee’s momShout-out: Grant ThorntonPrevious guests mentioned in this episode: Deedee MyersIn this episode:[1:09] - Deedee explains how high-performing boards drive strategic decisions, strengthen competitiveness, and avoid preserving the status quo.[4:54] - It's so important for boards to embrace technology, clarify their responsibilities, and evolve from oversight to strategic leadership.[7:26] - Hear how strategic HR aligns people, culture, and leadership with business priorities via workforce planning and development.[10:35] - A future-focused strategy integrates services while strengthening leadership, governance, talent, and measurable outcomes.[13:27] - Welcome Deedee’s son Bryce to the show![14:28] - Hear what Deedee loves about the book The Science of Scaling.[14:58] - Bryce loves the Gray Man series of fictional books.[16:49] - Bryce reveals that he learned from his mom to start, persevere, and simply get the job done.[17:38] - Effective leadership begins with self-awareness, requiring us to understand and accept ourselves before influencing others.[18:27] - Deedee and Bryce share what they’re looking forward to in the near future.[20:29] - Deedee encourages listeners to keep living into their mastery and to help others find theirs.