Impact
Testimonials
Our credit union has a rich history of achieving exceptionally high standards in a number of areas, member service, employee satisfaction, community support, and financial performance and returns to members, to name just a few. I am often asked how we do this. My response has always been that this has been the hard and consistent work of many employees, and people in leadership positions within the credit union: informal leaders and those in management and our board of directors over many years.
As we move forward as an organization it will be critical that we maintain this high level of performance in all the key strategic areas outlined in our Vision 20/20 document. Competition will increase and labour shortages will abound in all industries including the financial services sector.
Given the road ahead will be difficult; how will we ensure we will achieve the results our members, communities and employees have enjoyed over the past decade?
I believe the single most important program to ensure this will occur will be the development of our own future leaders.
We commenced planning for this critical program more than 2 years ago with the Succession Management project. Through this we developed a process to identify the potential future leaders of our organization to carry forward SASCU's industry leading performance, including critical SASCU specific leadership components.
Since the pilot program ran more than 18 months have past and the third cohort has now completed the formal Leadership Development Program. All cohorts have commented that “this has been the best and most useful training they have ever received.” Many go on to say that the tools and techniques and what they have learned about themselves have made a major difference in how they interact with their direct reports, and peers. They have also indicated that this training is life altering and helpful in all interpersonal interactions and makes them more effective as leaders and coaches in their business life and their personal life.
Future plans are to work with the Refinery to develop the next level of Leadership Training for the entire leadership team at SASCU, i.e. Leadership 201 that will include direct tie into the credit union’s strategic objectives. Everyone looks forward to the next phase of leadership development.
Leadership Development, with the assistance of the Refinery Leadership Partners is a major reason why we are performing as a top 10 in credit union in Canada in all major areas of growth, profitability, member satisfaction and market share.
Michael Wagner
Chief Executive Officer
Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union
“You may never believe it possible to unlearn the damned and discard the deadweight but [The Refinery’s] approach to effective leadership is bullet proof. Not even my drill sergeant could find inbred natural leadership that inspired courage and passion to move forward. [Refinery experts] were solid in leading me through an incredible journey of rediscovery and belief for what I’ve always had to offer! Anything is possible, but you need to believe in you!”
Wayne Church, National Trade Sales Manager
LifeScan Canada, Ltd.
"As the largest supplier of nuclear fuel to the global market, Cameco recognized that it had to significantly increase its investment in its most important asset if it is to retain its leadership position. Our long-term partnership with The Refinery, designing and implementing a top down leadership development program, has done just that. Together we have challenged our talented employees to embark upon a journey of self-awareness, discovery and learning with the objective of developing a deep reservoir of leadership capability throughout the organization. The program has delivered, and Cameco is benefiting greatly from the growth we've seen in our leaders."
Gerald W. Grandey, President and Chief Executive Officer
Cameco Corporation
"Has the program met my expectations? Overwhelmingly YES! I have been through several one-off type leadership programs and the long-term ongoing nature of this one makes the learning and changing of new behaviours and skills more sustainable. This program has exceeded my expectations, way beyond what I imagined."
Participant, Leadership Development Program
LifeScan Canada, a Johnson & Johnson Co.
"When I first came into contact with [The Refinery] it was through an article called 'Is your organization ready for Great Leaders? Be careful what you ask for.' Definitely my journey (with the help of The Refinery consultants) to become a more effective leader has taken me through a path that I was not expecting, a path of hard work and challenge but also a path in which I have achieved great success and satisfaction. So ask yourself; are you ready to become a Great Leader? Have you the courage to find out?"
Heriberto Gines, Organizational Effectiveness Director
Toyota de Puerto Rico
"Partnerships BC is a new organization (4 years) in the business of structuring and implementing public private partnerships. It is wholly-owned by the Province of British Columbia.
We have retained The Refinery team for the past two years to provide leadership training and coaching initially to our management team, and currently more broadly to our senior professional team.
We have received excellent service - as evidenced by the fact that the relationship continues. The Refinery has led us to creative and innovative thinking. Our self-awareness is dramatically improved, and our candor has increased - and I believe these factors have improved our effectiveness."
Larry Blain, CEO
Partnerships BC