We recently asked Roseanna DeMaria, the dean of our Strategic Thinking Institute (STI) and Execution Leadership Institute (ELI), to answer some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
NLT: Why is a video required to apply to STI?
RDM: Our once-a-year video submission is a firmwide leadership conversation that enables us to unleash voices and connect with each other differently because the video format levels the playing field. Yes, our video challenge is about the STI selection process, but it is about far more than STI. It is our opportunity to collectively think together “in the arena” as Brené Brown teaches us. It is about excavating the unsaid & inviting everyone to answer the “call to courage” by sharing their TPOV on the question posed.
NLT: What criteria will be used in evaluating the videos?
RDM: There are three areas the video will be rated on. First: Is it 90 seconds or less? Second: Does it answer the question? Third: What is the quality (vulnerability, teachability…not Hollywood production) of the content?
The videos should explain what you learned about your kryptonite behaviors, how you applied those learnings, and teach us how you will lead next year.
NLT: I applied to STI the last two years and didn’t get in why should I try again?
RDM: There are only a finite number of spots in STI. By definition the majority of folks did not get in. That does NOT mean that you are not qualified for STI. It means that you are ABSOLUTELY ready to try again. In fact we NEED you to try again because you will inspire others with your passion to learn.
You have shown the courage to put yourself on video and share your TPOV with the entire NLG community. You have the vulnerability “muscle” to go from knowing to doing. Every time you live the learning with courage your actions encourage others to do the same. Don’t stop now! Use that muscle. Teach us YOUR answer to this year’s STI question. Lead the way for others and stretch your thinking.
NLT: Last year I submitted a video for ELI because I didn’t want to do STI. Can I still submit a video this year?
RDM: Last year a number of folks specifically said they were applying for ELI in other words ‘don’t consider me for STI.’ We encourage you to get into the conversation to be heard on our learning organization thinking and solve the problem posed. In fact, By making a video & putting ourselves out there we are growing our vulnerability muscles which makes all of us stronger.
This year’s question is ALL about vulnerability because it forces us to think about our kryptonites & decide which of them to tackle. It’s a “call to courage” to make a video about THAT question! Jackie taught us Brene’s “Call to Courage” this year in our culture sessions – so the question is a fair one for everyone. Get in the arena! Be heard!
NLT: What is the difference between ELI and STI?
RDM: ELI is our performance garage where we constantly build and tune our engines across National Life. In 2019 our XMT studied learning organization principles and began a deep dive into their areas’ unique work “DNA” to enhance their performance strategy for 2020. Like a NASCAR pit crew we are ALL in that garage building that engine to create value.
ELI is no longer an elective. In 2020 every NLG employee will be part of their XMT leader’s ELI because ELI is our performance strategy. Each ELI will be built upon each function’s value. The 2020 ELIs will not resemble their predecessors because we are now living the learning of performance execution in a disciplined way.
STI remains an elective. In STI we are creating a firmwide team of performance athletes who have answered the “call to courage” by embracing vulnerability to go from knowing to doing. STI is intended to be a transformational learning journey that builds Learning and Leading Servant Leaders across NLG through a rigorous learning journey that is built around strategic thinking and performance execution.
STI is a vulnerability-driven learning journey. It is NOT an executive education course. It is NOT a performance workshop. It is NOT an academic curriculum. STI is an intense, demanding, interactive learning journey that is designed to unleash your ability to answer the “call to courage” with your mind and your heart.
This journey requires your willingness to be professionally vulnerable every step of the way. What does THAT mean? Brené Brown teaches us that “vulnerability is putting yourself out there when you cannot control the outcome.” STI is a rigorous series of learning contexts where you are put in situations where you cannot control the outcome – from shock & awe and team projects to transparent stack-ranked performance feedback to learning journals that are read by your XMT and managers.
The discomfort and the transparency are intentional. You are in a very visible development crucible. Our faculty and our dean are deeply committed to your success. Their individual and collective investment in you is huge from their classes and mentoring to their capstone sponsorship. STI aspires to push you to discover the edge of your potential in order to push beyond it. Your performance is our focus.
To be fair, we are also focused on STI’s contribution to NLG through the STI capstone. The annual capstone projects feature business problems that we need to solve to create meaningful value to NLG. Needless to say, our capstones are challenging and force you to stretch to meet their challenge and that is exactly why vulnerability is critical to your success. So if you are ready to push beyond your potential, STI is right for you!
NLT: How does our Learning Organization use inclusion?
RDM: Deep learning is dependent on inclusion. The ability to excavate the unsaid and unleash the unheard voices among us is vital to knowledge creation. You cannot go from knowing to doing unless you have meaningful knowledge creation. Inclusion is dependent upon our willingness to answer the “Call to Courage” as Jackie taught us. Our individual and collective willingness to be vulnerable together “in the arena” is as vital to deep learning as it is for inclusion. THAT is why our firmwide video challenge is so important. It enables us all to get “in the arena” together and connect. So join the conversation & share your video!
NLT: How does our Learning Organization connect to our CAUSE?
RDM: Our learning organization enables us to deliver on our promises because it drives our performance. Our purpose is a serious one and we are completely committed to it. Purpose alone cannot deliver our vision of bringing peace of mind to everyone we touch. We need profits to do that! We are on a rigorous journey of purpose-to-performance which is uncompromising in every way. We are a meritocracy because we MUST keep our promises. We hold ourselves accountable to delivering profits for promises.