The Leadership Lessons I Didn’t Expect to Learn at ELEVATE

By Mario Lizardo, YP Advisor, assistant branch manager, GECU FCU

When I arrived at the 2026 ELEVATE Leadership Summit, I expected to leave with new ideas, industry insights, and professional connections. What I didn’t expect was how many leadership lessons would challenge the way I think about growth, influence, and the role each of us plays in shaping the future of the credit union movement.

As a young professional, it’s easy to view leadership as something tied to a title or position. Yet throughout ELEVATE, a different message emerged: Leadership begins long before a promotion and extends far beyond a job title.

Leadership Starts With Self

One of the most impactful sessions came from Leslie Blanchard, who reminded attendees that leadership is “the capacity to get others to follow you willingly.”

Blanchard emphasized self-leadership, encouraging attendees to develop self-awareness, social awareness, and situational awareness. She also stressed the importance of communicating with clarity by setting expectations, understanding intent, and resisting the urge to take challenges personally.

Before we can effectively lead others, we must first understand and manage ourselves.

Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

Cornerstone League President/CEO Caroline Willard challenged attendees to think intentionally about the legacy they want to leave behind. Her advice was direct: Don’t chase titles; instead, focus on becoming a well-rounded leader. She encouraged attendees to embrace discomfort, recognizing that meaningful career growth often requires navigating uncertainty.

That message resonated deeply with Crasher participant Ashley Deskin of Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union.

“The Crasher experience at ELEVATE challenged me in ways I never expected, pushing me well outside my comfort zone both personally and professionally,” Deskin shared. “I challenged myself to walk up to unfamiliar tables, join conversations with industry leaders, and introduce myself in spaces where I often felt out of place.”

She added that one lesson stayed with her throughout the experience:

“So what if you’re scared? Do it scared.”

Her reflection is a reminder that confidence is often built through action, not before it.

Leadership Isn’t Defined by Position

Keynote speaker Ben Nemtin reminded attendees that every “no” gets us closer to a “yes” and that happiness comes from moving toward our potential. One quote seemed particularly fitting for emerging leaders:

“Give without expecting in return.”

Deskin reflected on this same idea:

“Early in our careers, it’s easy to believe leadership begins when you earn a title or start managing people. But leadership isn’t defined by managing people. It’s about showing up, empowering others, building relationships, and living the credit union philosophy every day.”

She continued:

“The experience reaffirmed that I don’t need to wait for a future role to make a meaningful impact.”

The opportunity to lead exists today, regardless of title, tenure, or organizational level.

Relationships Build Trust

Blanchard also emphasized intentionally investing time in relationships with team members and the members we serve. In an industry built on “people helping people,” trust remains foundational.

Deskin saw that principle reflected in the leaders she met.

“One leadership trait that consistently stood out to me was the balance between servant leadership and transformational leadership.”

She noted that the leaders who made the strongest impression were focused on helping others succeed.

“They genuinely cared about the growth and development of their teams, not just as employees, but as people.”

That commitment to developing others can create an impact that extends throughout an organization.

Spotting Potential Beyond Performance

Another memorable takeaway came from Kathy Robinson’s discussion on building leadership pipelines. She challenged attendees to look beyond current performance and identify qualities such as learning agility, resilience, sound judgment, and character.

Technical skills can often be taught, but character, integrity, and a commitment to serving others are far more difficult to develop.

Robinson also reminded attendees that transitions are predictable, but readiness is a choice. For young professionals, that means preparing today for opportunities that may come later.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on ELEVATE, the greatest leadership lesson wasn’t found in a single session or keynote. It emerged through a theme woven throughout the conference: Leadership is not something we wait for. Leadership is something we practice every day.

Whether it’s building relationships, serving others, embracing discomfort, developing self-awareness, or helping others succeed, leadership begins long before a title appears on a business card.

As Deskin summarized, “I learned that growth rarely happens within the boundaries of comfort, and that taking the leap can lead to opportunities and connections that shape your future.”

And perhaps that’s the leadership lesson many of us didn’t expect to learn at ELEVATE, but one we’ll carry long after the conference ends.