Episode #31: How a Disney Credit Union Went From Bottom 10% to Top 10% with John Janclaes

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Leadership, Listening & the Power of Partnership

What does it take to build a culture where everyone leads?

In Part 1 of this three-part Make Minutes Matter conversation, Karen Gilhooly sits down with John Janclaes, former President and CEO of Partners Federal Credit Union, who led the Disney-affiliated organization from the bottom decile of industry performance to the top, where it remained for a decade.

John shares how listening to Disney cast members uncovered unexpected needs, inspiring creative solutions that went far beyond traditional banking. He also explains why he established a leadership university for all 800 employees, guided by his philosophy: “All must lead and a few will manage.”

Karen and John explore the importance of practicing feedback, navigating difficult conversations, developing self-awareness, and building partnerships that become a competitive advantage. Along the way, Karen shares her favorite reminder: “Say what you mean, but don't say it mean.”

Guest Bio

John Janclaes is the former President and CEO of Partners Federal Credit Union, with more than 35 years of executive leadership experience. He is the founder of CEO's Corner, providing executive coaching, strategic advisory services, and keynote speaking focused on leadership and organizational performance.

Don't forget to subscribe to Make Minutes Matter for more conversations about leadership, relationships, and making every moment count.

Dive deeper and check out Karen Gilhooly's book, The Three Bucket Leader: https://a.co/d/08vuNA9

For real-time conversations about today’s leadership, watch The Relevance Reckoning.

This show is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co) with Matthew "MoJo" Jones as Executive Producer and Nathan Wheatley as Editor. For sponsorship opportunities, email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co

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Episode #30: The "Digital Sunset" Trick That Actually Stops Burnout