Frequently Asked Questions
OVERVIEW
What is the Stewardship Summit?
In this highly experiential 6-month virtual-first program (which includes a 2.5-day kickoff, follow-up management practicum sessions, and a graduation), a cohort of up to 150 Berkeley Lab managers will learn how to maximize impact, so that their direct reports and teams come to work feeling motivated, inspired, and deeply integrated into the broader Lab community. The Stewardship Summit will offer space for self-reflection, individual and team exercises, invaluable peer support and feedback, mentor coaching, curated readings, and opportunities to apply insights through a workshopped personal management project and case studies.
What is the curriculum like?
Visit our Program Details page.
APPLY
Why is there an application?
Given the limited spots available for the Summit, an application process is the most fair and equitable way for us to ensure that individuals across the Lab a) have access to this opportunity and b) are able to share, in their own words, why this opportunity is beneficial for them. The application form also helps create a mutual sense of ownership and accountability---applicants will invest time in applying and imagining how they will use the experience as a growth opportunity, while we (the organizers) will invest time in learning about our applicants in service of creating a more tailored learning experience.
Also, in order for Lab divisions to be represented equally across the Lab, the Directorate plans to recruit and accept ~20% of the total number of supervisors/managers in each division each year, with a minimum of 2 individuals per division.
Please visit the Apply page to submit an application form.
What are the requirements to be admitted?
Participants will be selected based on the following criteria:
Completed application with clearly articulated commitment to full participation and well-defined goals in response to application questions
Must be in good performance standing (i.e., no active corrective action)
Must be a supervisor/manager, work lead, or aspiring supervisor/manager
Must have manager approval
Again, please note that in order for us to represent divisions across the Lab equally, the Learning & Culture Office, on behalf of the Directorate, plans to accept ~20 of the total number of supervisors/managers in each division, with a minimum of 2 individuals per division.
What are the important dates and deadlines?
See the home page for application dates and the Program Details page for program dates. The application takes 10 minutes to complete.
Can I reapply if I have attended a previous summit?
Yes, we are open to accepting applications from Summit alumni, since this learning experience will provide new things to individuals as they progress in their careers and encounter new management challenges.
That said, we prioritize new applicants over alumni each cycle.
Is there a greater focus on certain topics over others? How is the program structured?
Based off of feedback from alumni who completed pilots of this program over the past 2 years, the Director's Stewardship Summit is structured over a 6 month period as a combination between Summit days ("core days") and post-Summit practice sessions ("management practicums"). You'll find the Program Schedule on the Program Details page.
While the finer details of the Summit are subject to change, the overarching structure will focus on the following 4 key themes and associated topics grounded in People Stewardship:
Leading from the Inside Out: self-development & values-focus
Building a High Performance Teams: building high-trust team cultures & conflict management
Cultivating Communities of Trust: one-Lab collaboration & embedding IDEA and stewardship values into our day-to-day
Evolving as an Organization: adaptive leadership & systems-thinking
DURING THE SUMMIT
What is your attendance policy?
In order to graduate from the Director's Stewardship Summit, participants must attend at least 75% of the core Summit days (January 24 - 26), attend the Reunion/Graduation (July 17), and complete 5 management practicums out of the 12 sessions offered between the Summit and Graduation. All participants are expected to engage fully throughout the program.
Where does the Summit take place?
To be inclusive of all members of the Lab, the Summit will be delivered in a virtual-first/hybrid format where we will default to zoom while also coordinating in-person gathering spaces throughout the Summit experience. The Summit Evening Celebration in January and the Reunion & Graduation in July will be in-person.
OUR YESAQ: Questions that always have the answer "yes"
This is an alternative to the FAQ, called the YesAQ. The answer to every question below is yes. The YesAQ is inspired by the team at Basecamp. If you have any questions, please send them to culture@lbl.gov, SUBJECT LINE: Stewardship Summit.
YES for the application
Aside from my time investment, is the Stewardship Summit free?
Can I apply/participate in the Stewardship Summit if I live outside the US?
Can I apply if I have a term position at Berkeley Lab?
Can I apply if I have my manager's support?
Can I apply if I do not YET have my manager's support?
Can I apply if I have a full workload and caretaking obligations but want to participate?
Can I apply if I have 15+ years of management experience?
Can I apply if I have no supervisory/management experience but am imminently moving into a supervisory/management role?
Do you hand-pick each member of the incoming class of ~100-150 people?
Do you read each application?
YES during the summit
Do I have to show up for the full duration of the program?
Will I need to be on video?
Will there be long breaks during the program?
Will trained facilitators and mentors be there during the workshop?
Will the summit be interactive?
Will there be in-session group work?
Will I receive key course materials before the workshop starts?
Can another manager from my team participate in the Stewardship Summit at the same time as me?
YES after graduating
Can I keep in touch with fellow participants after we graduate?
Are there opportunities to collaborate with fellow alumni?
Are there opportunities to meet in-person with fellow alumni?
Are there alumni events & an alumni Google Group to stay connected after we graduate?
Additional questions? Contact culture@lbl.gov with subject line "Stewardship Summit"