The Transformative Experience That is LILI

Find out how NAIFA’s leadership-development program has transformed the lives of three members.

By Brendan Bernat

Leading through a time of uncertainty tests one’s character and resources. Those who are prepared maintain hope and inspire others. As Stephen Covey wrote: “Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition such as lifting weights we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.”

For 20 years, NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) has been building leaders who effectively manage the opportunities and adversities of life.

As we celebrate the 20 th anniversary of LILI, we celebrate the over 3,000 LILI graduates and their resilience during uncertain times.

Over the years, the LILI curriculum has evolved to include content based on emotional intelligence and business planning. However, a key component remains the concept of principle-centered leadership, principles that serve as LILI graduates’ compass and rudder during the most difficult times.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of LILI, we celebrate the over 3,000 LILI graduates and their resilience during uncertain times.

A few of those graduates recently shared how LILI has impacted their lives. Deborah Coulter graduated from LILI in 2007. “It was a life changing experience for me, both personally and professionally,” she said. “It completely changed the way I looked at my business and my relationships. I went on to moderate for several years and served on the national LILI Sub-committee. The friends I’ve made and the contacts all over the country are priceless. To see the changes in students’ lives serving as a moderator was by far the most rewarding of it all.”

For Sara Karweick, “the LILI class was an eye opener personally and professionally. It was an intense six-month course that really made you reflect on yourself in many ways. That year my production was slumping a bit. This class brought perspective and focus to get back on track.”

Jeremy Tyler found LILI to be transformative in terms of his thinking, personally and professionally. “The process made me think differently about how I was going about many things in my life. As I went through the course, I began to realize that I was in business for the wrong reasons and with the wrong people. After LILI I realigned my business and personal life to set myself up for happiness, not constant frustration. By doing this, I became more successful. I guess one could say LILI showed me how to be happy, which in turn makes

For more information on the transformative experience that is NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute, contact Brendan Bernat at bbernat@naifa.org