The 22nd class of the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge graduated in November 2011, closing out a year where the board, the regional coordinators, countless alumnae, and I worked hard to refine the programs and sessions to better align with our organization’s strategic vision. To accomplish this, we re-tooled the agendas to reinforce our themes, carefully introducing and weaving the topics from session to session. This is an ongoing project, continually improving the experience based on feedback from current and former attendees. If you would like to see the latest agendas, please click on “Session Agendas” on the blue side bar of our website’s home page.
In 2012, our goal is to increase the return on investment for organizations who have empowered their women leaders to take The Challenge. In my 23 years as a business owner, I learned that building a team by focusing on individual strengths is a powerful method of leadership. Using Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath, our entire staff took the strengthsfinder test, and we put together a team matrix in order to understand and showcase our strengths, collectively, to bring value to our clients. This year, we have expanded our emphasis on LEADERSHIP by introducing a Strengths-based Leadership component to all sessions – each class member has received a copy of the book, Strengths-Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, where each leader will discover her top five strengths, and how to lead through her unique mix of talents. Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, GMLC Class of 2010 and a member of our board of directors, is trained and certified by The Gallup Organization as a Strengths Coach, and is facilitating our program.
The sessions will feature various aspects of leveraging people’s strengths in leadership: Session I includes an introduction to leadership by strengths, Session II explores how to assemble a strengths-based team, Session III delves into the development of personal leadership strengths, and the final session will provide an opportunity for our class members to leverage their strengths, individually and collectively in their Greater Missouri Legacy. A special thank you to alumna and board member Tina Ehrhardt for generously underwriting the cost of the books for this year’s class. We are also emphasizing the CHALLENGE aspect of the yearlong symposium. In each session we are providing time and interaction with recent alumnae to assist the class in determining how they will utilize their leadership experience and expanded knowledge of the myriad issues facing our state to effect positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their own lives.
Greater Missouri is strong because of the commitment and diversity of our alumnae. Women from large corporations, small businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, government, and many professions come together in unison to learn, grow, and work hard make this a greater state to live in. All alumnae are welcome to attend any and all sessions of our year-long symposium – we welcome your voice; please join us!
Sincerely,
Shelley Simon