Credit Union Career Profile: Dave Hyde, Fusion Credit Union
Dave Hyde
Chief Operating and Information Officer, Fusion Credit Union
Career:
Start in the credit union system: 2018
Coming out of high school, Dave didn't have a clear vision of his career path, but he did have a strong understanding of his interests. He knew he wanted to work in a field related to math, science or technology.
Since then, Dave's career has taken him through a variety of different industries, including academia, municipal government, food manufacturing, software and finance. The common thread throughout his journey has been the opportunity to make a positive impact on the communities he serves.
A typical day:
Dave says each day is a new adventure, although a few priorities remain constant. First and foremost, he focuses on people, believing that their success is directly tied to his own. He also sets aside dedicated blocks of uninterrupted time each week for deep, focused work.
A key part of his role is balancing day-to-day operational excellence with thinking strategically about future opportunities and helping bring those possibilities to life.
Continuous learning and improvement:
Continuous learning comes naturally to Dave. He enjoys learning and actively seeks opportunities to grow in both his professional and personal life. Some of his top tips for learning and development include:
Find a mentor whose experience and perspective resonate with you.
Never underestimate the value of reading.
Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Seek them out and clearly communicate your goals and aspirations.
Growth is often uncomfortable. When you have the capacity, lean into that discomfort because it is usually where the greatest development occurs.
Take time to reflect on your goals and growth aspirations. If needed, work with a trusted advisor to help guide that process.
Keys to success:
Dave feels incredibly fortunate to have had excellent mentors throughout his career. "Iron sharpens iron," he says, crediting much of his growth to learning from and working alongside talented people.
He also believes success comes from being proactive. Rather than leaving mentorship to chance, Dave intentionally sought out people he could learn from and build relationships with throughout his career.
Recommended reading (or other resources) for young leaders:
When it comes to leadership books, Dave recommends the work of Simon Sinek, particularly Leaders Eat Last and Start With Why.
He also enjoys the podcast Acquired, noting that while episodes are lengthy, they offer valuable insights. The episode on Visa, in particular, stood out to him because of its relevance to the financial services industry.
That said, Dave believes that no resource, including formal education, has contributed more to his personal and professional development than having great mentors.
He also emphasizes the importance of personal wellness. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, exercise, and activities such as outdoor walks not only supports overall well-being but also enhances professional performance.
Guiding principles:
At a high level, Dave strives to align his actions with his values and ethics. He also follows several practical principles that help guide his decision-making:
Consider the value of every initiative. Does it drive revenue, reduce costs, improve the member or employee experience, or strengthen compliance? If not, ask why it is being done.
Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Simplicity is often the best approach, which aligns with the KISS (Keep It Simple) principle.
Remember that business is ultimately about people, so prioritize them.
Put your health and family first. Long-term success is not sustainable without taking care of the people and priorities that matter most.