Brian Fassett wants to grow leaders from within.

Advantis Credit Union’s director of learning and development joins today’s episode of the America’s Credit Union podcast to share how the $2 billion asset credit union in Portland, Ore., goes about finding and developing prospective leaders within the organization.

“A number of years ago our CEO and CFO retired, and we ended up hiring outside for both of those roles,” says Fassett, who opens an episode that's capped by Jon Sexton, senior vice president of culture and leadership development at $1.1 billion asset Vibrant Credit Union in Moline, Ill. “Our current CEO believes one of the ways we can gauge success of our leadership program is if we’re able to promote from within the next time we have an open leadership position.”

Therefore, the credit union created an intensive leadership program. Tune in now to hear the ins and outs of the program, and the goals it's helping the credit union achieve.

Sexton will follow with a deep look at identifying potential leaders and training them through the organization.

“They're generally embracing every opportunity with gusto,” Fassett says. “They bring contagious energy.”

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

In this episode:

0:14: Episode introduction

1:10: Intro to Brian Fassett and Advantis Credit Union

2:30: Navigating a merger

3:20: The importance of internally developing leaders

4:30: Building a leadership program

6:25: How do you identify leaders?

8:00: Advantis Credit Unions' leadership program roadmap

12:45: Virtual vs. in-person training and leadership development

14:58: E-learning's impact on leadership development

17:12: Creating avenues for dynamic feedback

18:20: How small credit unions can enhance leadership development

21:50: Intro to Jon Sexton and Vibrant Credit Union

23:20: How to identify potential dynamic leaders

26:02: Vibrant's leadership development curriculum

28:03: The qualities of a leader

30:50: Creating an environment people want to be a part of

32:26: Tips for credit unions looking to enhance their leadership development efforts

34:38: Understanding that leadership isn't for everyone