Taking the Plunge and Applying!

I came across an email introducing CUES Emerge, in February 2020, about an exciting new recognition and education program. I was excited and impressed to learn that not only was admission to the program open to all, but it was free! Never one to pass up a learning opportunity, I shared my excitement with my boss, CEO Richard Grammatica. Sensing my elation, he was quick to approve and support the endeavor. The application process was fairly simple. The only additional piece of information required was a letter of recommendation. My boss eagerly typed one up and thus began the wait. I anxiously awaited for my acceptance to the CUES Emerge Program.

Education

The CUES Emerge program format included a three part, CUES Elite Access™ Virtual Classroom courses, designed to build knowledge and understanding through connections with peers and subject matter experts. The topics reviewed during the 2020 CUES Emerge program included: 

  • What’s the Problem? 

  • Designing Your Change Initiative

  • Amplify Your Impact by Mastering the Art of Powerful Communication

These topics were not new concepts, however, the way the material was presented, provided a new perspective for each. The increased knowledge from the CUES Elite Access courses has had a lasting impact on the way I operate as a leader. The courses also helped with the development of the final project for the program, creating a business case. I thoroughly enjoyed that in between the classroom sessions, small cohort discussions were held with subject matter experts, also referred to as Masterminds. These helped guide the development of each participant’s business case and shared how to apply the educational pieces reviewed the previous week. They were incredibly open and served as both incubators and refiners for our ideas. 

At the completion of the education phase, the cohort was given several weeks to finalize their business cases. When submitting one’s business case, each participant had the option to compete in a competition phase or just submit. The competition was for a shot at the title of 2020 CUES Emerging Leader. All participants who completed the course and submitted the final project – the business case – received a Certified Credit Union Manager (CCM) designation. In my opinion, this designation shows commitment and dedication to yourself and willingness to improve as a manager. 

Deciding to Compete

I vividly remember talking to my colleague, Maggie Robarts, regarding the competition phase. As the deadline for the business case was approaching, I was experiencing a bit of hesitation. I was undecided as to whether to compete or just submit my application. I believe everyone experiences hesitation to step outside of their comfort zone, regardless of confidence, and in that moment I was feeling it! Personally, when I start to feel uncomfortable, I go inside and evaluate why. In that moment, there was no lure in presenting in front of an audience and having that performance judged. But overcoming self-doubt that I cannot do something...that had me on the hook, and I was ready to dive in! I also really wanted to be a finalist to qualify for an educational prize packages. In that moment, Maggie provided words of encouragement to continue on to the competition phase; I checked the box and pressed submit.

Next time, I’ll talk about how I decided I had to enter the Competition Phase, and how it all worked out.

Lindsey Walker
Executive Assistant
Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union