#120 James Schenck President Pentagon Federal Credit Union, West Point, US Army Black Hawk Pilot

In this episode of The Jumping Point Podcast, host Phillip welcomes James Schenck, President of Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They explore James's journey from military service to financial leadership, discussing how authentic leadership drives organizational success. James shares insights on aligning organizational mission with employee values, managing energy rather than just time, and creating a culture where people feel valued. Through personal anecdotes and leadership philosophies, James reveals how PenFed's emphasis on human connection alongside technological advancement has created both business success and member loyalty.

What we learned from James to help transform our leadership:

• True leadership means aligning organizational mission with what drives your team
• Create what James calls "combustion" - that magical energy when purpose and people connect
• Be patient enough to wait for the second marshmallow (you'll understand when you listen!)
• Focus on accumulating small wins instead of drowning in endless to-do lists
• Technology is powerful, but "it can never replace the human touch"