Growth does not come from chasing every idea. It comes from knowing who you are and executing with discipline. In this episode, Scott sits down with Jed Meyer, President and CEO of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, to unpack how clarity of value proposition fuels smarter decisions and meaningful innovation. Jed shares why focus is a leadership advantage, how calculated risk can serve members well, and what credit union leaders can learn from resilience, teamwork, and accountability. From stable coins to artificial intelligence, this conversation challenges leaders to think forward without losing sight of the human connection that defines great service.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • how a clear value proposition drives better strategic decisions • what innovation looks like when it stays member focused • how small credit unions can compete by leveraging focus and agility • what leadership lessons from athletics apply to executive roles • how to balance risk, innovation, and accountability • where AI fits into the future of credit unions

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Links from show: Connect with Jed Meyer Explore ServiStar's TARGET Leadership program Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Most leadership breakdowns are not about effort. They are about habits. In this episode, Scott and Scott sit down with Joel Hilchey to name the behaviors that quietly derail managers and, more importantly, how to fix them fast. From accidental bosses to scattered priorities, Joel challenges leaders to stop reacting and start leading with clarity and rhythm. Using practical tools you can apply this week, the conversation reframes leadership as removing friction, setting clear standards, and becoming a steady lighthouse instead of a spinning disco ball. If your team feels busy but not strong, this episode gives you the moves to reset focus, raise the bar, and build a healthier culture.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • why people quit bosses and not jobs and how habits shape that reality • what function forgetting looks like and how leaders calendar the real work of leadership • how to reduce daily hassles that drain time and morale • how to raise standards without killing engagement • what lighthouse leadership looks like compared to chasing every priority • how practical tools like definition of done and next action rounds improve execution

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Links from show: Get The 6½ Habits of Highly Defective Bosses by Joel Hilchey here

Hear the first chapter of the audio book here Explore ServiStar’s Vertex Leadership Program Discover ServiStar’s Emerging Leaders program Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Mentorship can accelerate a career or quietly stall it depending on how intentional you are. Too often leaders collect mentors without clarity, structure, or purpose. In this episode, Scott and Scott break down what effective mentorship really looks like and how emerging leaders can use it as a strategic advantage. They unpack the three types of mentors every leader needs at different seasons, explain why your boss is rarely the right choice, and show how to bring structure to the relationship from day one. This conversation turns mentorship from a vague idea into a practical growth tool that builds confidence, perspective, and momentum.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • why mentorship matters beyond advice and encouragement • how to choose the right mentor for the leader you want to become • whether your direct supervisor should be your mentor • the difference between a sponsor, a coach, and a guide • how to set SMART goals for your first 90 days as a mentee • what responsibilities the mentee must own for the relationship to work

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Links from show: Explore ServiStar’s Vertex leadership training

Learn more about ServiStar’s Emerging Leaders program

Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Great cultures do not happen by accident. They are built by leaders who stay connected to their people and know how to flex when the moment demands it. In this episode, Scott sits down with Mike Valentine, CEO of Baxter Credit Union, to explore what people first leadership looks like in real life. Mike shares how BCU sustained engagement through the pandemic, how flexibility became a strategic advantage, and why relationships and continuous feedback still drive results in a hybrid world. His perspective blends humility, clarity, and conviction. Whether you lead a team of five or a credit union of thousands, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for showing up with purpose and creating a workplace where people can thrive.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • how people first culture drives member and organizational success • what flexible leadership looks like during disruption and rapid change • how continuous feedback and listening posts strengthen remote teams • how to maintain connection and trust in hybrid and distributed workplaces • how personal leadership habits shape culture and influence engagement • what BCU learned about employee well being during and after the pandemic

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Links from show: Explore ServiStar’s Vertex leadership training Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Delegation is one of the most powerful tools a leader has, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Too many managers hand off tasks to get work off their plate. ServiStar leaders delegate to build capability. In this episode, Scott and Scott sit down with ServiStar Founder Mike Neill to walk through what effective delegation really looks like in a credit union environment. From not burning out your A players to developing the rest of the bench, Mike brings clarity to when to delegate, who to delegate to, and why the eight step process removes the fear and frustration leaders often feel. If you want to develop people while still getting great work done, this conversation gives you the practical system to do it with confidence.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • how to avoid overloading high performers while still getting work done • what the eight steps of effective delegation look like in practice • how to know who is ready for delegation and who needs development first • how to track delegated work without micromanaging • what new managers struggle with most when delegating simple tasks • how to delegate to someone who is able but not willing

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Links from show: Learn more about ServiStar’s Vertex leadership training Explore ServiStar’s Emerging Leaders program Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Leadership is not about being liked. It is about being trusted. In this episode, we introduce ServiStar’s new VP of Sales and Business Development, Jarrell Flanders, and explore the mindset behind his “11 Rules to Lead with Heart.” Drawing from years in both banking and credit unions, Jarrell shares real stories that bring leadership lessons to life—from building trust before coaching, to being kind instead of just nice, to balancing excellence with momentum. Scott and Jarrell unpack practical ServiStar tools that help leaders communicate clearly, coach effectively, and build teams rooted in accountability and care. Whether you are leading a sales team or growing into a new management role, this episode helps you connect the heart and habits that drive results.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • How to deliver hard truth with care using “be kind, not nice” as a leadership rule • Why trust is the foundation that makes coaching effective • How to build credibility quickly with a new team through small promises kept • What “good enough to move on” means and how it speeds up excellence • How communication redundancy creates clarity and accountability • The habits and systems that make kindness a measurable leadership skill

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Links from show: Join ServiStar’s Emerging Leaders program – practical coaching and accountability tools for new managers Learn more about ServiStar’s Vertex leadership training Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

What can we learn from a Luminaries-recognized leader? In this episode, we sit down with Ann Ditlow, finance and analytics manager at 4Front Credit Union and nominee for the Credit Union Times Luminaries Award. Ann’s journey from molecular lab technician to Credit Union leader is a masterclass in curiosity, systems thinking, and service-centered leadership. She shares how ServiStar’s Vertex training equipped her to manage change, build cooperation, and turn chaos into consistency. Whether you are navigating team transitions, leading through uncertainty, or looking to strengthen your systems and results, Ann’s lessons offer practical steps you can apply this week to create a culture of clarity, purpose, and resilience.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • What it feels like to be recognized as a Luminaries nominee and what habits led there • How ServiStar’s Vertex training shaped Ann’s leadership approach • How to spot organizational “drift” and bring teams back into alignment • What practical systems and tools reduce disorder instead of adding noise • How to use cooperation and purpose to sustain energy through change • A simple “entropy buster” every leader can implement in one hour

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Links from show: Enroll in ServiStar’s Emerging Leaders program – practical coaching and delegation tools for new managers Learn more about ServiStar’s Vertex leadership training Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service

Stepping into leadership is exciting, but when you are promoted to manage people who were once your peers, the transition can feel awkward and overwhelming. Most managers are not formally trained for this critical moment, yet how you handle it sets the tone for your entire leadership journey. In this episode, Scott Anderle and Scott Albrecht unpack the real challenges new leaders face when managing former peers. They share practical tools, honest truths, and a clear playbook for building trust, setting expectations, and leading with confidence. If you have ever worried about losing friendships, being taken seriously, or proving that you are doing “real work” as a manager, this episode gives you the reset you need to lead effectively.

In this episode we talk about and answer these questions: • What makes managing former peers one of the hardest challenges in leadership • How to reset relationships without losing trust or respect • Why contextual friendships matter and how to expand inclusion on your team • How to respond when people assume you are not doing “real work” anymore • What practical steps you can take this week to earn credibility and results • How the Emerging Leaders program equips new managers to succeed

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Links from show: Learn More About the Target Leadership Course Sign up for the Emerging Leaders program – learn 6 steps to successfully manage former peers

Subscribe to ServiStar Leadership Podcast on your favorite streaming service