Seize the Day: The Power of Bringing People Together

“Celebrate we will, for life is short but sweet for certain.”

– Dave Matthews Band, Two Step

Nothing matches the bubbling anticipation of an occasion that brings your tribe together. This weekend, I am capturing a double dose of this joy. I enjoyed an 18-hour stop in Las Vegas to see the Dave Matthews Band with dear friends and now fly to Washington, D.C., to one of the most anticipated annual events in our industry where some of my favorite humans will congregate. Credit unions will vibrantly advocate for cooperative finance during 2024’s Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), hosted for the first time by America's Credit Unions Credit Unions. Huzzah!

This sense of anticipation is not unique to this week; we all long for the precious dates on our calendars marked for gatherings with loved ones. Whether we plan to break bread, experience a concert, cheer at a sporting event, or celebrate a holiday, the time leading up to those events goes slowly, and the time spent together flies by, making your heart race.

Gatherings ignite joy. They also nurture our most important relationships and promote a sense of belonging and community. A simple and quiet afternoon shared with friends or family can leave you feeling incredibly inspired, rejuvenated, and connected.

I learned from great mentors about the power of connection. As leaders, we must provide those around us with that same sense of rejuvenation we experience when we spend time with those we love. Creating opportunities for purposeful gatherings and moments of connection matters and builds cushions. At Community Financial Credit Union, we do this in a host of ways, including:

• Annual small-group dinners with every single department,
• Monthly “six impossible things” roundtables with six team members who sign up to enjoy 90 minutes of dreaming,
• Our president’s council, where a small cohort of leaders spend time strategizing and growing,
• Monthly State of the Credit Union “townhall meetings” with our entire team,
• Annual picnics, including family members,
• Holiday parties,
• Our annual all-staff c3 (Community, Collaboration, Connection) event,
• Community impact days for our team as we volunteer across the great state of Michigan,
• Springboard meetings for all leaders in the organization (monthly and in-person quarterly),
• Yaydays where we get to surprise team members with food and experiences, and
• LIFT (learning, igniting, fellowship, and training) days that bring our strategy to life for the team and allow people to learn experientially.

Connection matters as this is a human business. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with an estimated 1 in 4 older people experiencing social isolation and between 5 and 15 percent of adolescents experiencing loneliness.” As we craft the future of work and include strategies to amplify the well-being of our teams, it’s striking to consider the impact of isolation. The WHO shares, “The effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.” We can play a role in shifting this for our teams.

As you consider the best approach for your organization and shape the connection experiences that will best amplify your strategies, consider that every good gathering shares these eight things in common, regardless of setting, budget, or length:

1. 1.Common bond. Whether it is a family bond, your alma mater (Go Blue!), your team (Go Lions!), your favorite band (Go DMB!), or your passion (Go Credit Unions!), a powerful gathering starts with a common bond.
2. 2.Purpose. The best gatherings have meaning and purpose. This week, credit unions will advocate to ensure legislators have context for the most critical issues facing credit unions as they serve Americans. When I serve grilled cheese to our team, it demonstrates a commitment to service. It also allows for the sharing of personal passions and creativity. The reason to bring people together matters deeply.
3. 3.A plan. Organization matters, and ironically, it allows for spontaneity. As people commit their time, they want to know what to expect, and the more details are managed, the more the human connection can occur.
4. 4.Anticipation. Sometimes, the planning of a vacation brings nearly as much joy as the vacation itself. Creating opportunities to build curiosity about content sparks pre-event conversations. It also builds connection as those attending can experience that anticipation together.
5. 5.Immersion and engagement. In a world of distractions, supporting people in enjoying the experience matters. An event bursting with sensory stimulation encourages deeper engagement and connectedness.
6. 6.Learning. A good gathering leaves you wanting more and dreaming about next time. Reflecting on the experience, building on what went well, and learning-forward with opportunities to enhance the next gathering can powerfully build experiences that dynamically improve over time.
7. 7.Tell the story. Good gatherings leave us enthusiastic to share. It might be the mic drop moment when a new idea was synthesized and shared boldly. It might be the joy that came from learning about a shared interest. It might be the dad joke that everyone can’t wait to own when they get home. Just as anticipation builds before the event, reflection carries the momentum of time spent well into the future.
8. 8.Dreaming about what’s next. As the time together comes to an end, it’s time to dream about next time. We started sowing the seeds for our next show at the end of last night’s concert. Imagining our plans starts the anticipation building again. I can’t wait to dance until my feet are sore!

My anticipation grows as I near our Nation’s capital. The opportunity to come together in advocacy ensures that the future of credit unions shines brightly. The spark and experience people will have as colleagues and friends this week will sustain and grow careers, dreams, and impact. Let’s use our time in fellowship this week to spark even more opportunities for connection and gathering when we return to our organizations. Let’s capture the moment today. The Dave Matthews Band says it well in “Cry Freedom”: “The future is no place to place your better days.”