Leading with Purpose: Monique Little’s Journey to Building High-Performing Teams and Community Impac

Monique Little, Chief People & Administrative Officer at First Tech Federal Credit Union, knows what it takes to build engaging and high performing teams that deliver on business results. During her tenure at First Tech over the last decade, she has led countless key organizational activities that have made the financial institution into what it is today, a $16.7 billion organization serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees. Read on to learn more about Monique, her story, her heroes, and the lessons she's learned along the way!

How do you balance your work life and home life?

Lots and lots of communication! Over time, I’ve also realized that perfect balance is never possible. I make it a priority to set clear expectations, be kind to myself and be present when it really matters.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

As a kid, I always wanted to be doing something where I was bringing people together-whether that was planning a fundraiser (I organized a haunted house when I was a kid and had everyone bring a can of food for the local food bank), bringing people together, and doing something good.

What was the best advice you ever got?

I have to give credit to my husband, because he’s always used the phrase, “Work hard, have fun.” He’s used it with our kids since the time they were really young, and I think it’s a great recipe for life.

What do you read or listen to for fun and inspiration?

I have a super eclectic taste in music, and I love to mix it up! I enjoy 70s, 80s, classic country, and Broadway. I also really like to read historical fiction.

What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?

Constantly seeking a perfect balance in life as a professional and as a young mom and finding that I couldn’t obtain that. Another obstacle has been having to re-think how I approached that balance.

If you could start over, what would you do different?

I would take more calculated risks and lean into the unknown. I tended to take the safer route early in my career, and I’ve learned as I’ve matured in my career and life that taking risks can lead to really amazing things.

What books are on your nightstand?

I really love reading books about amazing women persevering and overcoming insurmountable challenges. I’ve read a lot of books that are set in WWI and WWII and early America, and it’s very inspiring.

Who is your hero and why?

My Dad. He’s one of the greatest optimists I’ve ever met. He was someone who never met a stranger and was always seeking to learn from other people.

Define success for you. What has the achievement of success cost you?

I have a saying in my house, and it goes, “Success is not what you have, but who you have beside you.” I think success is seeing the people around me thrive, whether that’s at work, at home, or in the organizations I give my time to. The people you surround yourself with make you successful. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the sacrifices of my husband, my children, my parents, and the people who I work with. I think the biggest cost has been my time and trying to find the balance.

How many choices do you feel were your own? What were they?

I’m very grateful that I was raised by parents who gave me the confidence and equipped me with the skills to make my own choices. They empowered me to make my own choices at a young age, whether it was what I wanted to be involved with to what choices I made about life, religion, education, my career, and my family. The most powerful thing we can do is give children the skills and confidence and ability to make their own choices.

Have you reached your full potential? What has held you back from reaching your full potential?

I think we’re all a work in progress. There are still more experiences I want to have in my career and personal life. Nothing is holding me back, but I don’t think we’ll ever reach that set time when you arrive at your full potential. It’s a journey.

Where do you see feminine influence in the workplace today?

Well, I think it’s exciting to see more and more women assuming leadership roles in the workplace today, and I think that has a tremendous amount of influence. Inherently, women bring a level of empathy to the workplace which can really enrich culture.

Is perfection possible?

Perfection is not possible! Being imperfect is what creates opportunities for us to learn, experience, and grow. You can strive for excellence, rather than perfection.

How do you take your whole self to work?

I think part of it is the ability to let people see who I really am not just in the workplace, but outside of work. And in exchange, seeking to learn who other people are in the same way.

First Tech is built on a people helping people ethos, where giving back to the community is key to their culture and who they are as an organization. Under Monique’s leadership since 2011, she has overseen the giving of over $20 million in grants to nonprofits across First Tech’s footprint-and she and her teams aren’t stopping there. You have a chance to also be a part of First Tech’s giving legacy with their current Season of Giving campaign, where now through Nov. 30, you can nominate a nonprofit of your choice for a chance at them receiving a $10,000 grant of unrestricted funds. Nominate a nonprofit here!

Now that you’ve gotten Monique’s perspective on what it’s like to work at First Tech, stay in touch and learn more about the company here.

Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.