WCU & You: Recent Episodes
Learning and Development
An internal podcast for Workers Credit Union employees. The podcast is intended to disseminate information/education about the credit unions products, services, and events.
In this bonus episode of WCU & You, Mike Dion catches up with the team captains of three our most revered volunteer organizations. First, you’ll hear from Calla Flannery who provides an overview of the Relay for Life of Greater Gardener over the June 9-10 weekend. Then you’ll hear from Maria McCaffery who shares information about the Central Massachusetts Heart & Stroke Walk on Sat, June 3. Lastly, you’ll hear from Tim Smith who offers up two volunteer opportunities. First, you’ll learn about the opportunities offered by the United Way of North Central Massachusetts Day of Caring, then about the Women’s Build Day this Fri, May 8 organized by the Habitat for Humanity.
In this third episode of Season 4 of WCU & You, Mike Dion sits down with IT’s Jenn Deslisle to talk about the GiveBack program and take a close look at some of its inner workings.
First, you’ll learn a bit about the GiveBack program’s decade-long payout history. Next, you’ll gain an understanding of how the GiveBack payments are actually calculated and processed. And lastly, you’ll become aware of the program’s exclusions, specifically relating to account types that do not qualify for the Giveback.
In this second episode of Season 4 of WCU & You, Mike Dion chats with Consumer Lending’s Ariel Cruz-Martinez to discuss member experience efficiencies.
Listen in to hear all about the process assessment that is scheduled for this fall with some of the folks from MeridianLink. You’ll learn what the team hopes to get out of the assessment. You’ll also gain an understanding of our responsibilities before the assessment begins. Lastly, you’ll learn how the team expects these efficiencies will help to improve the member experience.
In this first episode of Season 4 of WCU & You, Mike Dion sits down with the Mortgage Origination team to discuss the development on the new Sr. MLO role.
Tune in to see what the team is most excited about with this new initiative. You’ll also gain an understanding of how the initiative plays into our core purpose as well as how they expect it will improve member relations. We take a deeper dive into the forecasted ROI of getting the Sr. MLOs out into the community to network. Lastly, we investigate how these collaborations might also improve relations with other business lines.
In this preview of Season 4, we’re taking a step back to reassess the purpose of WCU & You and provide an overview of what’s to come in the new season.
Essentially, we’re looking to improve communications & employee relations, and to do this, we will be pulling topics from our new Unscripted series, where we devote two, one half-hour sessions every other week to addressing some of your most pressing questions and concerns, but simply don’t have the time to cover thoroughly enough on the half-hour call.
Moreover, we will be bringing in a more diversified line-up of guests, so rather than just having one subject matter expert on the program, we’ll be looking to bring in folks from all different areas and backgrounds, so be on the lookout for episode 001 later this month.
In this 2022 Wrap-Up podcast, we take look back at the year and see what we can glean from our collective experience having just gone through a core conversion, and we examine how we were able to apply certain leadership competencies to achieve our end goal of a successful conversion.
Specifically, we take a close look at how we applied the Self-Awareness leadership competency by harnessing things like perseverance, tenacity, and determination, while giving recognition to Alicia Kaliviotis for her work on the MortgageBot project. Next, we move to the Interpersonal Savvy leadership competency and how we were able to hone our communication skills throughout the year, while giving recognition to Kait Goguen for her superb leadership in project management during conversion. Lastly, we survey the Technological Savvy leadership competency and show how displayed superior multi-tasking and time-management skills throughout conversion, while giving a shout out to Josh Whitney for his technical expertise and perpetual service-with-a-smile attitude.
In this third episode of the Jefferson Certificate’s Foundational Level, Mike Dion sits down with Via De Leon Bennett and Mohamed Rizwan, the new Directors of Retail Operations and Retail Growth, respectively, to discuss the Directs Work leadership competency.
Listen in to, first, gain an understanding of a leader’s role in setting the stage for accountability on a team. You’ll also get some advice on how leaders can establish accountability on a team and then maintain it over time. Lastly, you’ll gain some insight on how we as leaders can build accountability into our culture and brand here at Workers.
In this second episode of the Jefferson Certificate’s Foundational Level, Mike Dion catches up with L&D’s own Julie McNamara and Patricia Wayrynen to explore the Self-Development leadership competency.
Tune in to get some advice on defining your long-term objectives and motivations. You’ll also get some tips on determining and acquiring the new skills on the road to achieving your end goals. Lastly, you’ll gain a practical understanding on how to create a learning action plan and hold yourself accountable.
In this first episode of Season 3 of WCU & You, Mike Dion sits down with Deputy Chief Risk Officer, Courtney Nuara, for a deep dive into the Self-Awareness leadership competency.
Listen in to gain an understanding of how self-awareness can help you develop your career aspirations over time. You’ll also get some advice on how you can step outside of your own headspace to improve self-awareness. Lastly, you’ll be provided with some practical tips and tricks to achieve self-awareness success.
In this final episode of Season 2 & first ever monologue podcast, Mike Dion provides a high-level overview & update to our core conversion process over to Fusion Phoenix. Tune in to get a sense of where we’re currently at in the conversion process. You’ll also gain an understanding of the importance of both data audit and critical job function testing.
In this special edition of WCU & You, Mike Dion talks with Julie McNamara, L&D’s Virtual Learning Developer, who provides a unique perspective of the President’s Leadership Academy’s Washington certificate from her facilitator’s point-of-view.
During their conversation, they take a close look at the relationship between and among the three levels of the certificate: Foundational, Interpersonal, and Organizational. Lastly, they provide an overview of the expectations in completing certificate’s capstone project
In this final podcast of the Washington Certificate, Mike Dion chats with Chris Wilcox, the AVP of Technical Support to discuss the Technical Savvy leadership competency.
Tune in to better understand what it really means to be tech savvy, particularly as it relates to the workplace. You’ll learn how to better navigate the steps to becoming more tech savvy, and you’ll also get some practical tips/trick to getting started on your journey.
In this third episode of the Washington certificate’s Organizational Level, Mike Dion sits down with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer, Mr. Tim Smith to discuss the Financial Acumen leadership competency.
You’ll first gain an understanding of the benefits of developing your financial acumen and how your decisions impact the organization's financial health. Next, you’ll be given advice on how to go about developing your financial acumen. Lastly, you’ll be provided some practical guidelines for demonstrating your newfound knowledge and skills in this area.
In this second episode of the Washington certificate’s Organizational Level, Mike Dion invites MIC’s AVP of Sales, Aggie Gordon, to the program to help us better understand and appreciate our customer base here at Workers.
First, you’ll gain insight into Worker’s Credit Union’s vision of customer service and how being conscious of this can help us improve the manner in which we provide that service. You’ll learn some practical techniques on how to build rapport with the members we serve. Finally, you’ll learn how to exceed expectations by becoming better at connecting with meaning.
In this first episode of the Washington certificate’s Organizational Level, Mike Dion sits down with the VP of the Workers Way, Johan Romero Luan, to discuss what goes into the decision making process that underlies everything we do here at Workers Credit Union.
First up, you’ll learn about what goes into the strategic thinking behind some of the big initiatives here at Workers, and specifically they delve into the strategic vision that inspired the Workers Way. You’ll gain insight into some of the methodologies that were developed to track progress on participating members as well as the impact both members and the credit union as a whole. Lastly, you’ll get a better perspective on where we’re headed in the months and years to come.
In this final episode of the Washington certificate’s Interpersonal Level, Mike Dion welcomes Michael Duffany of Commercial Lending to the program to discuss the “Builds Networks” leadership competency, which entails your capacity to establish personal connections for business purposes.
First, you’ll learn about the purpose and value behind why you should build your network, followed by an understanding of how building out your network today can help you later in your career. You’ll gain insight regarding how to “develop network perspective” which allows you to take full advantage of our organization's internal network. Lastly, you’ll gain some perspective on “social capital” or the sum of your networking resources that you compile over time, which you can then leverage to help you achieve your goals.
In this third episode of the Washington certificate’s Interpersonal Level, Mike Dion invites Ruth Carerro (HR) to the program to discuss the “Interpersonal Savvy” competency, which essentially is your ability to build and maintain healthy working relationships
You’ll gain practical insight on how to develop your active listening skills while beefing-up your overall communication skill set. They explore the art of reading/interpreting body language as well as communicating your own positive body language to others. Lastly, they illuminate how improving your people skills can help you build networks and thus elevate your leadership presence here at Workers.
In this second episode of the Washington certificate’s Interpersonal Level, Mike Dion talks shop with with Jamie Monette as they breakdown the stigmas of the “Manages Conflict” competency.
Tune in to learn how to develop your team’s ability to manage conflict productively as well as foster an environment where productive conflicts can flourish. They also take a look at some of the ways we can be more proactive about the role of conflict on our teams and within the organization as a whole.
In this first episode of the Washington certificate’s Interpersonal Level, Mike Dion connects up with Mike Balin of the Project Management Office (PMO) to discuss the nuances of the “Collaborates” competency.
You’ll learn what goes into setting teams up for successful collaboration. They also discuss how to foster a collaborative spirit within those teams. Lastly, you’ll learn some immediately applicable techniques on how to manage conflicting priorities and viewpoints as well as how to get opposing forces with different agendas to come together as one.
In this final podcast of the Washington Certificate’s Foundational Level, Mike Dion sits down with Kait Goguen of the Project Management Office (PMO) to discuss the nuts and bolts of the “Resourcefulness” competency.
Listen in to learn how you can improve the skills and abilities typically associated with being a resourceful person. You’ll also gain understanding of what it means to be a resourceful manager and/or work for one. Lastly, you’ll also gain key insights into what very resourceful people do.
In this third episode of our new President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) podcast series, Mike Dion and IT’s Sokha Thong delve deep into the “Action Oriented” competency.
Tune in to learn how you can weave your natural, innate abilities/passions into the fabric of your professional life, thus making your work more purposeful. Come along as they break down some of the results of the Keirsey Temperament Assessment, which can provide you with a unique perspective that brings clarity on who you are, what you do, who you love, and what difference you make.
If you are interested in taking the FREE Keirsey Temperament Assessment after listening to the podcast, you may do so here:
https://www.keirsey.com/
In this second installment of our new President’s Leadership Academy (PLA) podcast series, Mike Dion sits down with Consumer Lending’s Dealer Relationship Manager, Justin Merriman to discuss the “Instills Trust” competency.
Listen in to learn how instilling trust can help you in your career development. You’ll also learn some practical techniques on how to establish and maintain trust among team members. Lastly, they delve into some of the benefits of creating what’s called “thoughtful transparency”.
In this first podcast of WCU & You (Season 2), Mike Dion invites Joanne White to the program to discuss Professional Courage, the first competency of the President’s Leadership Academy’s Washington Certificate.
Tune in to hear them talk about the importance and benefits of professional courage. You’ll get insights into how to develop your own self-confidence and, more specifically, you’ll get advice on how to develop your own ability to ask questions with confidence. Lastly, they look at some of the best practices for giving effective feedback.
Learning & Development would like to formally invite you to Season 2 of WCU & You: The President's Leadership Academy (PLA) Podcast Series. In this new season, we will embark upon a journey deep into the heart of leadership. Based entirely on the PLA, we will invite guests from across the credit union to speak about their unique experiences with the individual competencies that populate the learning program.
In this episode, Mike Dion and Nikki Vassallo talk about what to expect in the first four episodes, which comprise the Foundational level of the Washington Certificate:
- Podcast 001: Professional Courage with Joanne White
- Podcast 002: Instills Trust with Justin Merriman
- Podcast 003: Action-Oriented with Sokha Thong
- Podcast 004: Resourcefulness with Kate Goguen
In this episode of WCU & You, Mike Dion and Nikki Vassallo close out their discussion on Mindfulness & Empathy, and they look at how these two practices - along with the implementation of peer coaching - each affect the culture of learning we have established here at Workers. They also look at some of the hallmarks of having a high-impact learning culture and explore how Workers meets some of those hallmarks.
In this episode of WCU & You, Mike Dion and Nikki Vassallo further expand their discussion on Mindfulness & Empathy. In Part 3 here, the practice of mindfulness and empathy is linked to peer coaching, a practice where two or more colleagues work together to solve problems in the workplace. They explore some of the more practical ways that we can apply mindfulness and empathy to basic peer coaching and look ahead to the future of peer coaching at Workers.
In this episode of WCU & You, Mike Dion and Nikki Vassallo continue their conversation on Mindfulness & Empathy. Part 2 here looks specifically at empathy as an ability, which can be strengthened just like a muscle. They discuss some of the ways it can help with team-building, communication, and leadership.
In this first installment of WCU & You in 2021, Mike Dion sits down with L&D’s own Nikki Vassallo to talk about how the practice of mindfulness can not only improve personal health but also professional health. This is Part 1 of a four-part miniseries titled Mindfulness & Empathy.
This week on WCU & You, Mike Dion welcomes Ed Hurley-Wales to the program. Ed is an expert in the field of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) and together they explore some of the ways D&I impacts culture an values, particularly as it relates to hiring, promotion, succession planning, and equity.
In this episode of WCU & You, Mike Dion sits down with IT’s Chris Wilcox and talks about setting up your home workstation. First they take a look at some of the choices you have on setting up you physical space. Then they’ll explore what options you have when you’re ready to select your hardware peripherals.
This week on WCU & You, Mike Dion welcomes Doug Peterson, CEO & Tim Smith, CFO to the program to discuss Workers’ upcoming conversion from a state-chartered credit union over to a federal-chartered credit union and how our Field of Membership (FOM) will change as a result.
In episode 009, Mike Dion invites L&D’s own Nikki Vassallo to the program to discuss the new President’s Leadership Academy. Tune in to get a sense of what the 4 certificates (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt) are all about and to get an understanding of how the program is structured and laid out.
In episode 008, Patrick Morash joins Mike Dion to discuss WITS, our new wire transfer system. Tune in to get a full update on how WITS has performed since its launch in early August. Particularly, we take a close look at how WITS has improved the member experience, developed digital engagement, and helped us to leverage technology.
In Podcast 007, Mike Dion invites our AVP of Product Development, Michael Lashua, to discuss the recent changes made to our Dynamic Overdraft program and how these changes will effect both our membership as well as the credit union as a whole.
In this latest installment of WCU & YOU, Mike Dion sits down with Tim Smith, CFO & Treasurer, and Kory Eng, President of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts to discuss the 2019 Day of Caring, the pledge campaign, and the importance the partnership between Workers Credit Union and the United Way.
“I believe that every person has a promise and that the United Way can be a catalyst to unleash that promise.” - Kory Eng
In this latest episode, Mike Nordstrom joins Mike Dion to discuss our migration to Microsoft Office 365.
Tune in to listen about a new and exciting Microsoft Application called Teams! Here you can keep your shared files in a single secure location that everyone can access. And with chats, meetings, and calls, everyone has the right tools to stay connected no matter where they are.
Podcast 004 is the annual All Staff Update. Tune in to hear Doug Peterson provide a state of the union on Workers Credit Union. Topics discussed are the Employee Engagement Survey, the Giveback Program, GRO, Adapt, Mortgage Volume, and the Relay for Life. Later on, hear Sandra Sagehorn-Elliot, Bob Lockett, and Peter Rice discuss the new branch strategy, progress on our new headquarters in Littleton, and the implementation of ITMs.
This week on WCU & You, we welcome our Chief Strategy Officer & SVP of Diversified Services, Bob Lockett. Bob and Mike talk about the Littleton construction project, where we’re at in the build process, and what we can expect when it’s move-in ready.
On this episode, Scott Kwarta and Lindsey Morrell join Mike Dion and Julie McNamara to discuss employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and how they work together to grow culture.
WCU and You welcomes Peter Rice and Alyssa Duval to the program this week. Podcast 001 focuses on deposit growth and why it is important to the credit union, how we can increase awareness of our deposit accounts, and how you can help impact deposit growth.