Our leadership model
Blue Shield’s Leadership Model encompasses our values and provides a shared language for the behaviors that are expected from every employee. Our model is based on a "vision for a leader" and details behaviors at each level. By having great people do their best work – which includes demonstrating leadership behaviors that help build and sustain high-performing teams, enable getting results the right way, and foster continuous learning. For more information, view our leadership model infographic (PDF, 137 KB).
Learning and development
Our great place to work strategy is centered around developing great leaders at all levels and creating opportunities for people to grow – personally, professionally and financially. Blue Shield of California offers several award-winning leadership development programs to employees at various levels of the organization.
Lead to Excellence (L2X)
L2X is an executive-led, three-part leadership development program for directors and vice presidents that establishes clear expectations about leadership at Blue Shield and deepens people practices and behaviors needed to be a great workplace. Sessions include leaders across various business units and are held over two consecutive days.
In 2015 Lead to Excellence I & II was awarded the Brandon Hall Group HCM Award for Best Advance in Leadership Development (Gold award).
In 2017 Lead to Excellence III was awarded the Best Advance in Leadership Development (Bronze award).
Manage to Excellence (M2X)
Manage to Excellence Live is comprised of in-person and virtual educational sessions for supervisors to senior managers that focus on management fundamentals at Blue Shield. The learning objectives include creating a clear and shared understanding of the role of a people leader at Blue Shield and building the skills needed to hold engaging conversations about employees’ performance and development in a way that motivates them to do their best work.
Manage to Excellence (M2X) Next
Manage to Excellence Next is a series of virtual blended learning campaigns for supervisors to senior managers that focus on Blue Shield’s leadership model behaviors. Participants learn through a combination of independent study and activities punctuated by three, ninety-minute leader-led WebEx debriefs.
Ready to Lead (R2L)
Ready to Lead program immerses individual contributors to Blue Shield’s management philosophy, expectations, and provides an experiential learning model as proven methodology for adult learners.
In 2018 Ready to Lead was awarded the Brandon Hall HCM Excellence award for Best Advance in Potential Development (Bronze award).
Shield Emerging Leaders (SEL)
Shield Emerging Leaders program is a two-year rotational leadership development program aimed at growing our future leaders from within. This program is an opportunity for emerging leaders who have completed a master's degree and have a commitment to learning and development to gain a full understanding of our business and strategic objectives. Upon completion of the program, SELs will be prepared for full-time people or program management roles. Learn more about the program and how to apply.
Our Shield Emerging Leaders program was recognized with the 2017 Brandon Hall Group Excellence HCM Awards as the Best Advance in High Potential Development (Gold award).