From life experiences to mentors to “aha moments” to building self-awareness, becoming the kind of the leader that can help move the region forward doesn’t happen on accident—or overnight. We asked members of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s 41st Leadership Denver class how their year in this leadership development program has made an impact on how they’ll lead and how others can improve their skills.
Broaden Your Horizons
For Emily Griffith High School Assistant Principal Kate Greeley, it was easy to feel isolated and not understand how ranging issues from economics to education impact the Denver metro area.
In particular, visiting Denver’s Recovery Court, a diversion court that supports repeat offenders, was an eye-opener.
“Seeing these men, they reminded me of the students I currently work with and what the lack of educational opportunities can lead to,” Greeley said. “At the same time, it inspired me to see the city playing such a positive role in addressing the root causes of this problem.”
Surround Yourself with People Who Have Similar Goals
By sharing his experience with the 63 other people in Leadership Denver, PCL Construction Services Project Manager Dave Espinosa understood how many others were as invested in improving the community.
“I was able to experience camaraderie from people who (at the start of the program) barely knew me but were willing to push me to be better,” he said.
Be Honest
If you’re surrounded by people who are working toward the same goals you are, then honesty is a natural side effect.
“The most critical components that I have found to deepening my own awareness are reflection, candor and feedback,” said Vail Resorts Vice President of Talent Management Jeff Klem. “Leadership Denver has been an important part of that journey, using the important challenges facing our communities that have no obvious solutions, a cohort of passionate ambitious leaders and a well laid out process to create a unique learning platform.”
Define Your Purpose
As the saying goes, leadership starts with you. For Akasha Absher, a consultant with Syntrinsic Investment, that meant defining and getting to know her “authentic self” and identifying where she finds a sense of purpose.
“I have contemplated and answered the question ‘What is my purpose?’ in the past, but until this program I was unaware that I needed some additional tools to help me truly answer the question and develop a call to action,” Absher said. “Leadership Denver was truly transformational; the program not only provided the materials but created the space for me to grow as a leader and individual with intentionality and integrity.”
Applications for the 2016 class of Leadership Denver will close today at 5 p.m. Apply online now.
Danielle Mellema is the communications and marketing specialist for the Leadership Foundation.