A strong board/CEO relationship is a critical ingredient to credit unions’ success.

This requires transparency, communication, and shared goals, says Terry Davidson, board chair at $720 million asset True Sky Credit Union in Oklahoma City and a 2020 Credit Union Rock Star.

At True Sky, Davidson and the board began building a relationship with CEO Sean Cahill during the interview process. Cahill joined the credit union in December 2018.

“You have to start at the beginning and be open and honest. You can’t tell someone you want them to do something and then go in a different direction,” Davidson says.

In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Davidson and Cahill discuss how to form strong relationships, both among board members and between the board and CEO, the importance of doing so, and more.

To hear more from Davidson and Cahill, check out the article "Relationships key to success" in the November issue of Credit Union Directors Newsletter. Subscribe now to the print or PDF version.

You can listen to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio.

In this episode:

1:05: A good relationship from a director’s point of view

1:55: A good relationship means getting along

3:21: Transparency is critical

4:40: Tips on forming strong relationship with the CEO

6:26: Forming relationships on the board

7:02: Shared goals