Berger Leadership Blog

There are times that require bold, courageous leadership. It is in these times when you need to stop saying "enough" and act on it – even if you don't have all the answers.

"Demonstrating leadership courage – whether it's having an uncomfortable conversation, communicating when you don't have all the answers, or making a decision to move ahead on a new project – can be scary," writes Forbes contributor Susan Tardanico. "Yet it's precisely the kind of behavior that fosters trust and sets a crucial example for others to follow at a time when they'd rather hunker down and wait for the storm to pass."

She goes on to note 10 traits of courageous leaders and I encourage you to read her list.

NAFCU took such a stand this week. For those of you tuned into the credit union industry, it is no secret that these community-based financial institutions have been under repeated attack by banking trade associations and their lobbyists. NAFCU stopped saying "enough" and went to work – announcing its support for the enactment of a 21st century modernization of the Glass-Steagall Act.

Not only are we tired of being bullied, but we realized the need to ensure the interests of credit unions and all American consumers are being looked out for and protected. I'm not sure the big banks and their trade associations have learned their lesson from economically ruining millions of Americans and small businesses in the 2008 financial crisis. Simply put, we know we cannot afford another financial crisis so we decided to take a stand.

While we don't know the end result of this stand and call of "enough," we do know that we will continue to fight back. Credit unions and consumers alike deserve a healthy and safe environment in which to grow and thrive.

For more on our position on the Glass-Steagall Act check out our new website: http://stilltoobigtofail.org/.

Follow me on Twitter (@BDanBerger).