What if the biggest barrier to innovation isn’t technology—but mindset? Discover how credit union leaders can spark lasting transformation by shifting culture, empowering teams, and leading with curiosity.
Transformation is a buzzword—but that doesn’t make it less real.
The pace of change isn’t slowing down, and credit union leaders can’t afford to treat transformation like a one-time initiative. It has to become a leadership discipline—something we practice, not just plan for.
That’s exactly what I explored with George Estrada, Executive Strategist at AWS. We talked about what it takes to lead through uncertainty, why mindset matters more than ever, and how culture—not technology—is often the real barrier to innovation.
In credit unions, we’re proud of our legacy—our deep member relationships and values-rooted culture. But the same strengths that have built trust can sometimes make us cautious when it comes to change. And the truth is, one of the biggest obstacles to innovation isn’t tech—it’s mindset.
Are we ready to lead with adaptability at the center? That’s the real question.
Leadership Skills for Transformation
To tackle this challenge, leaders must develop and model a learning mindset. That means creating a culture where experimentation is safe, failure is seen as part of growth, and success is measured by long-term impact—not just short-term outcomes.
Additionally, we must sharpen our skills in change management, strategic foresight, and cross-functional collaboration. As George emphasized, successful transformation doesn’t come from top-down mandates. It emerges when leadership empowers teams to question assumptions, reimagine processes, and embrace customer-centric thinking.
How to Turn Insights Into Action
- Embrace a “both/and” mindset
Complex situations often require compromise. Rather than associating compromise with “loss,” seek to navigate gray areas so that you can strengthen ideas and uncover new solutions. For additional insights, check out the article Navigate Complexities More Effectively with a "Both/And" Mindset. - Invest in people, not just platforms
Prioritize professional development opportunities that equip your team with the skills and confidence to lead change—whether that’s training in agile thinking, digital literacy, or emotional intelligence. - Ask bold questions
Rather than focusing on what you’ve always done, ask: If we were starting from scratch today, how would we serve our members differently? This reframing can unlock new ideas and fresh approaches. For a great example of how to reimagine member services, get inspired by this article about Kauai Federal Credit Union’s Economic Resilience Center. - Lead with humility and curiosity
George’s journey from nonprofit and commercial service to AWS illustrates how transformation leaders must stay curious, learn continuously, and invite diverse perspectives.
In our conversation, I was reminded that transformation isn’t a destination—it’s a capability. Credit union leaders have an incredible opportunity to shape the future of our movement by fostering adaptive, resilient cultures that welcome change.
Let’s embrace the shift—not fear it.
Put Wheels on It: Where Strategy Meets Action
Key Video Takeaways
- Curiosity and Vulnerability Build Trust—George highlights the power of leading with curiosity and honesty, which builds trust and allows leaders to forge genuine partnerships.
- Modernization Must Be Balanced with Mission—With credit unions eager to modernize, the pace of change must involve considerations for bringing members along, not leaving them behind.
- Leadership is About Vision, Not Just Management—Great leaders go beyond managing up to stakeholders—they lead their teams with vision and purpose. George stresses the importance of creating and clearly communicating that vision, then empowering others to move toward it.
- Transformation Starts with Mindset—Transformation is not just about tools or processes—it’s a mindset. Leadership in today’s environment requires humility, curiosity, and a willingness to rethink preconceptions in service to the member.
About Amazon Web Services
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
Nonprofits of all sizes are using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to increase support, expand awareness, and advance mission impact locally and globally. AWS is dedicated to a world where every person has the opportunity to live a life of dignity on a healthy planet. Whether you are working to generate donor, member, or volunteer insights through managed databases and analytics, accelerate research through machine learning and AI, optimize program delivery through scalable websites and applications, or just getting started—AWS is there to help.
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