CEO Success About More Than Results

I agree with Mike Welch’s comments on CEOs in his March 2 column. CEOs certainly do make a big difference as Welch says, although I think saying they make the “world go around” is a stretch. And the temptation for CEOs to develop outsized egos is already there. Regarding Credit Union Times CEO of the Year award, it is your publication and if you want to choose the CEO of the Year under the auspices of being the only independent credit union publication, that is your prerogative. It is up to your readership to decide whether the award has any merit, and peer review can be a rigorous vetting process. Which brings me to my final comment. Results are important. Equally important however is how the CEO went about achieving the results. There are several credit unions that have performed well over the past 10 years. If you feel the need to bestow a CEO of the Year award, I challenge you to develop a process that is more transparent. Consider also that in any business the true test of leadership is achieving results while adhering to and promoting the core values of the organization. John Hirabayashi President/CEO Educational Community Credit Union Jacksonville, Fla.