Executive Leadership
One of my first clients in my new venture asked an interesting and very important question. “How do I become a better leader?” This is a question anyone reading this Blog has likely asked themselves, in some form or another over their career. The good news is there are organizations available to help you answer this question. Today’s Blog will review those I am personally familiar with as a result of networking and my leadership role in commercial banking.
Early on in my Banking career, I was introduced to VISTAGE. Many of my clients were participants. I would listen to them tell me about how having a Peer Executive Support Group enriched their leadership capabilities and allowed them to consider options for their businesses they could not have realized on their own. This organization is worldwide and prevalent in most major cities. Usually, you will meet in person once a month with the group for the entire day and meet one on one during the month with your facilitator or Chair. Access to your peers and your Chair Facilitator continues throughout your membership so if something arises that cannot wait until your next meeting date, you will know you can reach out and seek the advice you are in need of anytime. The costs can be found on their website or by reaching out to your local VISTAGE group through a Google Search. Remember, when you are at that stage, this is an investment in you, your skills, and your future as a better leader.
Locally, there are other executive support groups that may be at your Chamber of Commerce level or through individual Executive Coaches. I was a participating member in a Chamber’s Executive Exchange Program. It provided me with monthly group meetings but no scheduled one on one meetings as mentioned above. Its forum did allow for Bankers or other Service Organizations where the member did not need to be an Owner, just in a leadership role. That was very helpful to me and I do still miss the Facilitator who retired after my first year. Do note that for this type of Chamber Peer Group, your organization must be a paying member of said Chamber, and usually it will be at the higher membership levels. The Peer Group cost will be in addition to your annual membership dues. But, as mentioned above, this is an investment in you and your leadership skills, so do not let cost dissuade you.
Do note that there are rules governing who can participate in each group. One steadfast rule in any of these leadership peer exchange groups is that no two (2) leaders can be from the same industry. This will allow you to speak freely and perhaps garner some competitive tips from others in the group that are not your client, customer, vendor, or competitor. Feel free to ask what other industries will be represented so you can better understand the platform that will be your peer group.
Another form of leadership growth is in the form of “classes”. I was in the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2004 and the FBI Citizens Academy Class of 2005. Both of these organizations were of a limited time but provided both classroom teaching and field experiences. Many cities offer Leadership Classes designed to enhance their community leaders knowledge of the history of their city as well as introduce new segments of their everyday life that some have not explored. Class sizes are usually larger than the Peer Support Groups mentioned above and they can range from twenty (20) - thirty (30) plus participants. Google your local city name plus the word leadership and you will be able to see if such classes are offered locally. Note, this can be a very competitive process where, at times, they may have 150 applications for a class of thirty (30). You may need to apply multiple years in a row to be accepted. Again, there will be a significant cost to entry as exists with all of these options.
The last option for leadership enrichment that I will mention revolves around programs offered through specific sites, usually associated with a college or university. Centers for Entrepreneurial Leadership can be found at various colleges or universities. Also, specific to women, your local SBA’s Women’s Business Center may also offer Peer Executive Groups to its members. These “centers” will often charge a tuition for their program or a member fee. Some may even offer a Graduate Certification. So, there are many options under this classification and, again, the best way to identify these is either to search locally for Leadership Programs or to ask any of your Business Owner/Executive Colleagues who may be in a better position to endorse one over the other.
Being a leader is a life of its own. You need to enhance it, enrich it, and exercise it. Leadership takes commitment on your part and a willingness for continuous learning. The good news is there are many options to pursue as mentioned above. Hopefully, one of them will work for you and your leadership budget. And, remember, this is an Investment in your future, your leadership attributes, and your business. Improving your image, your skills, and your brand should be your goal.
Be like Trevi, Luna, Nala, and Cisco featured in our photo this week - step up above the others and join your peers in leadership enrichment, it could change your entire approach to leading your business.
Be well.
