NCUMA24: America's Credit Union's Samira Salem Shares 6 Changing Workplace Trends...

Samira Salem

​America’s Credit Union’s Samira Salem, VP of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Ph.D., gave her NCUMA Hawaii Conference presentation entitled: "Rewriting the Script: Unlocking Success through Inclusive Leadership."

In Samira's session she explored the dynamics of the changing workplace and why inclusive leadership is essential now more than ever. Specifically, she shared six trends in the changing workplace today that credit unions need to be aware of -- and DEI plays are part in all of this:

• Historically diverse workplace — Samira talked about  that this is first time in history workplaces have six generations in the workplace from the Silent Generation  to Gen Alpha -- and by 2050 the majority of U.S. population will be of color with Gen Z the most diverse generation. The question for leaders today is how do you drive a sound and unified workplace with such a diverse group?
• Disruption and "boundaryless" — During pandemic was the first time we could see people’s lives (in the backgrond of their Zoom calls. Ironically, the pandemic kept us apart, but we did not have connections before -- thanks to video calls. As a result, the line between personal and professional got blurred, She said we have to ensure staff are resilient and adaptable, yet connected and moored.
• Employee expectation of workplace flexibility — newer/younger employees will leave if work environment is not to their liking (remote, flex time, etc.), Samira stated that 62% of all U.S.-based companies offer flex work programs today., The question here is how to ensure a cohesive culture within the organization so people bring their best to work.
• Employee conflict resolution is a must-have skill for managers — Today's workplaces are starting to see these conflicts bubble up more often and leaders don’t feel equipped in this area. The question for leaders is how to create a culture level of safety and inclusiveness, while having respect needed to move forward and building a culture to support that so it comes off as being authentic?
• Technology: AI and social media — The big worry today, Samira pointed out, is tech -- especially AI -- going to take people's jobs?, A part of that concern may be true, but AI will actually bring about new jobs. That said, leaders need to figure out a way to work with concerned employees so they won’t lose your job.
• DEI becomes the way we work — DEI has to go from being a program into being embedded how we work, Samira added. DEI takes advantage of the strengths of employees to meet the needs of members so both groups thrive and the organization thrives, as a result.

Samira added that America's Credit Unions recently conduct a DEI survey within the credit union industry on how credit unions are navigating DEI. 

According to the results, more than 60% of credit unions are on a DEI journey with 65% having some sort of DEI initiative in the works (investing in DEI).

When asked what excites them most about your DEI work, the credit union respondents said:

• moving it from silos to embedding it in their culture
• CDFI and DEI share same facets of their north star
• getting employees going through same initiatives
• appreciate sense of camaraderie that goes along with these initiatives

​Check it out and let us know your thoughts. Be sure to visit our NCUMA Hawaii Conference Studio Lounge interview archive page to see more episodes and stories from the conference. And please review and inquire our conference supporters and hosts from NCUMA, PARC Street Partners, and College Ave.

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