Five Questions With: Lisa Dandeneau

LISA DANDENEAU is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Navigant Credit Union. /COURTESY NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION
LISA DANDENEAU is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Navigant Credit Union. /COURTESY NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION

Lisa Dandeneau is the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Navigant Credit Union. As a special to the holiday, Dandeneau talks with Providence Business News about what it takes to manage a work-life balance that can add value to the well-being of the workforce and employers.

PBN: As we celebrate July 4th, can you talk a little bit about why you think it’s important to find a work-life balance?

DANDENEAU: Any business’ No. 1 asset is its employees. The people who work for your organization differentiate you from your competition. They execute your company’s vision; they serve your clients’ needs; they’re the reason you can keep the lights on day-in and day-out. They’re incredibly important, and they deserve to be treated as such.

That starts with acknowledging – and respecting – the fact that your employees have lives outside of the office. Of course, holidays are a perfect time to take a step back and celebrate life with the people who matter most. But, when it comes to creating a company culture that truly promotes work-life balance, it’s important to remember that holidays aren’t the only time to do that. Your employees deserve to enjoy Fourth of July cookouts and fireworks – but they also deserve to have the time and freedom to spend time with their families, connect with their friends, or do whatever it is that matters most to them. Creating, promoting and maintaining that balance is a constant, yearlong effort.

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PBN: Is that any more challenging to do in the financial-services industry compared to any other sector? Why or why not?

DANDENEAU: I can’t speak for any other company or any other industry, but I believe that as long as a business has good leadership and a clearly defined set of values, the company culture will follow. For Navigant Credit Union, that starts with our president and CEO, Gary Furtado. Gary has led Navigant Credit Union for nearly 40 years, helping us grow from a one-branch operation to one of the largest credit unions in New England.

Throughout his career, Gary has always been available to our members. He’s always made time for his employees. Most importantly, he’s always clearly communicated his expectations and company vision. What’s our mission? To improve the financial lives of our members. How are we going to accomplish it? By treating our employees and members like family – and giving back to the communities we serve.

PBN: How does finding that balance benefit the well-being of your workforce?

DANDENEAU: A typical full-time employee, in any industry, spends more time in the office than anywhere else. When you’re committing such a significant chunk of your time to a company, you deserve to be valued. When employees can go to work every day knowing they’re respected and their work is appreciated, they’re more likely to perform at their highest potential.

PBN: How – in turn – does that impact the well-being of Navigant as a credit union?

DANDENEAU: The obvious answer: Waking up in the morning and genuinely wanting to go to work is, quite simply, better than the alternative. People, for the most part, want to be happy – and they want to work with other happy people. We stress the importance of work-life balance – the importance of being happy – as part of our company culture, first and foremost, because it’s the right thing to do. But we also understand that respect is a two-way street. Since Navigant Credit Union’s employees are valued and respected, they – in turn – are inspired to provide our members with the service they need and deserve.

PBN: Is there any advice you might give to someone who might be struggling to find that balance?

DANDENEAU: For employers:

  • Clearly define your company’s goals and values – and stick to them. For us, that means serving our members to the best of our abilities; creating a work environment that puts our employees’ needs first; and giving back to the communities and neighborhoods we serve. Accomplishing those goals on a consistent basis is hard work, but the end result – the opportunity to do work you believe in, while having fun and enjoying your life with your co-workers – is worth it.
  • Listen. Give your employees an opportunity to tell you what’s important to them – and then take action to help meet those needs.
  • Make an effort. Work with your leadership team to host events or create initiatives that build morale and enhance your company culture and make work fun. From my experience, I can advise that ice cream is almost always a good starting point!

For employees:

  • First and foremost, don’t work for a company that doesn’t share your values. Try your best to find a way to do work you believe in for a company that cares about you.
  • Follow your gut. Finding the work-life balance that works for you is tricky – and it requires you to make tough choices. Trust yourself to do what’s right.
  • Don’t stop searching for the balance you desire. There will be times when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you want to accomplish. Keep communicating with your employers, co-workers and family members about what you want, and – eventually – you’ll find it.

Finally, the last piece of advice I can offer may not apply to everyone – but it certainly applied to me.

No matter how busy you are, there’s always time for Little League baseball.

Eli Sherman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Sherman@PBN.com, or follow him on Twitter at @Eli_Sherman.

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