Capitalism…it’s a buzz word, that’s for sure. And when it come to the idea of rethinking it, not everyone’s on the same page.
But Hazelmae Overturf, Product Owner of Employee Experience at BECU has some fresh thoughts on the subject—particularly around how it affects the credit union world and its members—and she graciously agreed to share them, this week on CRMNEXT’s Banking on Experience podcast.
What’s Covered?
Why Hazelmae is passionate about this topic.
Our guest is a huge advocate for the CU industry, and—as such—pays close attention to the things that influence and/or change it. She’s found that a lot of those are cultural or societal issues.
“When you think about how the world can change,” says Hazelmae, “so many different things intersect with that—including diversity equity inclusion, a lot about cultural competency, and also how people survive in this economic society that we have. And capitalism continues to come up as a tension point between both that particular methodology, but also the opposite end of that—which is the socialism side.”
What changes can (and should) be made in the CU space.
Hazelmae’s first suggestion? “Acknowledge the fact that we’re perpetuating this system that hasn’t been equal for many folks in the United States.” If we start there, she believes we can pause, take responsibility, and start to identify opportunities to dismantle those things.
The role community plays.
The big “R” word (radical) comes up here, but Hazelmae offers a quote by Raymond Williams that offers food for thought. “To be truly radical,” he said, “is to make hope possible, rather than despair convincing.” And Hazelmae believes community has everything to do with creating that hope.
Our expert also delves briefly into the difference between individualistic and collectivist. She clarifies: “When someone’s individualistic—or a nation’s individualistic they often look at only themselves and a small, like one degree out from themselves and their people. But a more collectivist society is going to look at multiple degrees out and think about the larger community as part of how we can create solutions, how we can make change, and how we support each other.”
DEI, representation, and talent in the industry.
Hazelmae is also extremely passionate about the future of CUs as it relates to talent acquisition and representation. She encourages FIs to view things a little bit more holistically— to take a closer look at how they’re innovating, as well as how they’re approaching problem solving.
She encourages asking, “Are you taking the steps to treat each person or each situation with a lense of—what one solution can solve this one person’s issue, which could potentially solve many peoples’ issues?”
Changing the world (yes, really).
We love asking our guests this question (we learn so much!) And Hazelmae’s answer is truly inspiring. For her, a growth mindset has been hugely beneficial, and she believes that intellectual curiosity—if taught from elementary school on—could help people to self-reflect, to look outside themselves, to increase empathy, and to bring humanity back in.
Want to contact our expert?
Hazelmae would love to connect! Reach her via LinkedIn.
Find this interview, and many more by subscribing to Banking on Experience Podcast on iTunes. You can also find us on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or visit our page on Casted.
