How to Engage Teams in Your 2026 Data Strategy
- Anne Legg
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The most powerful data strategies don’t live on paper — they live in the hands of your people.
As credit unions prepare for 2026, one of the greatest opportunities lies in team engagement. When employees understand, believe in, and apply the data strategy, transformation moves from concept to reality.
So how do you engage your teams in your 2026 data roadmap?
1. Connect Strategy to Purpose
Your team wants to know why data matters. Don’t just talk about dashboards and KPIs—connect the strategy back to your mission of improving members' lives.
When employees see how their daily work contributes to reducing member friction or deepening trust, they are far more likely to embrace the strategy.
Tip: Share real stories where data insights made a difference in a member’s life.
2. Make Data Relevant to Roles
Not everyone needs to be a data scientist. But everyone should know how data connects to their job.
For the call center, data might mean reducing call volume by empowering members to self-serve. For lending teams, it might mean predictive insights that identify members ready for the next financial product.
Tip: Translate your data strategy into role-based outcomes so every team can see themselves in the plan.
3. Build Confidence with Data Literacy
Data can feel intimidating. By providing training and support, you reduce fear and build confidence.
In 2026, commit to data literacy across the enterprise. From frontline staff to the board, equip your teams with the language, tools, and mindset to use data effectively.
Tip: Launch small-group learning sessions that focus on practical applications — not just theory.
4. Create Collaborative Spaces
Data silos don’t just exist in technology — they exist in teams. Break down barriers by creating cross-functional groups that explore and solve member friction together.
When lending, marketing, IT, and member services collaborate around data, the solutions are richer, faster, and more sustainable.
Tip: Try forming a “data squad” that meets monthly to address a specific member friction point.
5. Celebrate Quick Wins
Momentum comes from progress. Recognize the small wins — a dashboard that finally gets used, a friction point that’s removed, an insight that sparks innovation.
Celebration builds confidence, and confidence builds adoption.
Tip: Highlight a “data win of the month” in internal communications to show progress and inspire others.
The Human Side of Data Strategy
At its core, a data strategy is about people. It’s about equipping teams to use information in ways that create certainty for members and innovation for the organization.
As you roll out your 2026 roadmap, remember: the more you engage your teams, the faster you’ll move from intention to impact.
Ready to Engage Your Teams?
At THRIVE, we help credit unions operationalize their data strategy by equipping teams, reducing friction, and building a culture of data-driven decision-making.
If your 2026 data roadmap needs stronger team alignment, explore the THRIVE 90 program or the Data Activation Master Class. Both are designed to help your credit union move from strategy to measurable success.
Let’s make 2026 the year your entire organization thrives with data.
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