Leadership important during economic downturn - bizjournals:

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“High-quality leaders are what we need most to get through thesedifficult times,” said JoAnne one of the progra leaders and creators of the recently launched at Carroll. Brandes is a retire d executive fromThe center’s other program leadef is Debra Lake, who also formerly worked for the Johnsoj family companies. The center was introduced to the communith at a breakfast at Carrollin June. Some programs have alreaduy been piloted, and the center is seekinf participants fora 60-hour Leadership in Action comprehensive program. Brandees points to lack of leadership as one of the causesd of the currenteconomicc recession.
“I think part of it’s been createsd by not having strong enough leadershiop all over the she said. Leaders have looked to the short term rathed thanlong term, and leadership hasn’t been as ethicakl as it should be, she said. “I thinkj that almost anybody can lead when timesare great,” she But during tough economic times, it becomesd clear that “we need people who can be inspirational and who can look to the longerf term, who can drive innovation, who can get the most out of she said. The center seeks to provide the comprehensive typess of leadership programs that companies might have only foune out of state and at ahigher cost, Brandes said.
The programs will be differenr because they can be customized to meet the needs ofindividuakl businesses. Another important element is ongoing coaching that will be includedd in the programs and continuing networksof leaders, she The classes will be taughtr by highly experienced businesspeople, Brandes “The people who are running this not only understand organizationalo development tools, but they’ve live d it and they’ve breathed it,” she The center’s capstone program will be the 60-hour Leadership in Action program. The center is recruiting its firsgt class of 20 to 25 participantes for the session that beginsin August.
It’ designed for mid- to senior-level managera and will include intensive personalized trainingy with experienced executivesand coaches, according to a program description. Participants will meet every Monday for six or sevenm weeks with either their executive coach or learning The program includes intensiveself assessments, including feedback from co-workers in additioh to lectures, case studiexs and small groups. Participants will then become part of a networ k that will be brought backfor programs, and the coachiny will continue.
The cost is $5,500, Brandes Other shorter programs include effective communications andconflicf management, personal development and career planning and essentials of management. Fees will vary, but would typicallyu be about $300 to $500 for a three-day program, dependingg on materials, Brandes said. The center hopea to offer scholarships for leaders of Debra Crawford, a leadership and executivse coach and owner of LLC in Brookfield, observer some of the center’s first sessions earlier this Executive coaching is one of the program’s unique she said. She also likea the center’s focus on ethics-based leadership.
Many governmengt and business leaders have moved away from anethicalp core, she said, and that makes the center’w programs timely. She believes that in the future people will be more concernec about how businesses attain their results rather than just the results Crawford hopes to be one of the executiv coaches the center uses in its programws and said she also will recommendthe center’s programs to corporatde clients. Bill Mitchell, executive director of the , also believes the center’s timing is good.
In remarkss he made at the introductory breakfast, Mitchell said availability of strong talent in the area will be a key factore in business retention and recruitment as companie s come out ofthe recession. Partnerships between the business communitu and educational institutions like Carroll are an important part of developinv thattalent pool, Mitchell said.