LeaderShape: An Evidence-Based Leadership Example

How do you make the case for The LeaderShape Institute?

Too often we hear participants say things like "you've just gotta do it" or "it was life-changing." And while we agree (we realize we may be biased) with these participants, it's important to note when the work that you are doing is highlighted as phenomenal evidence-based leadership program.

A description of The LeaderShape Institute may be best described in Komives et. al (2011) The Handbook for Student Leadership Development (2nd ed.) that states:

“Examples of evidence-based leadership programming abound. The LeaderShape Institute is a phenomenal example of an individual leadership experience that successfully embeds multiple high-impact learning strategies to enhance student learning. LeaderShape is a six-day intensive retreat experience focused on building college students’ leadership capacities (see www.leadershape.org for more information). The curriculum integrates theoretical leadership content consistent with contemporary philosophies with a delivery that taps into many of the positive influences identified in the literature. Specifically, the program provides extensive opportunities for group interaction that stimulate critical self-reflection. Groups also build trust and engage in experiential learning designed to enhance students’ leadership efficacy as well as capacity. The content incorporates sociocultural conversations both across the curriculum as well as in a focused section that allows participants to delve deeply into issues related to power, privilege, and oppression. Mentoring also plays a key role, with participants interacting with adult facilitators and building relationships that continue well beyond the boundaries of the six-day experience” (p. 79).

We appreciate the fact that such notable scholars in the field have highlighted The LeaderShape Institute as a great example. As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary of the program, we would like to thank the thousands of faculty and partners who share our goal of creating a just, caring, and thriving world. Our success is due to the generosity of so many others. We're proud of our collective work and efforts.

Komives, S. R., Dugan, J. P., Owen, J. E., Slack, C., Wagner, W., & Associates (Eds.). (2011). The handbook for student leadership development (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Who Do You Want To Be?

Here is a quote that I think really resonates with the teachings of LeaderShape and is often difficult to practice in daily life.

“Do the things you used to talk about doing but never did. Know when to let go and when to hold on tight. Stop rushing. Don’t be intimidated to say it like it is. Stop apologizing all the time. Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph. Spend time with the friends who lift you up, and cut loose the ones who bring you down. Stop giving your power away. Be more concerned with being interested than being interesting. Be old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it. Finally know who you are."

Kristin Armstrong

In the upcoming days, I encourage you to practice a little healthy selfishness! Explore who you are and more importantly who you are becoming.

1.4 Million Reasons to Celebrate 25 Years!

This weekend, we celebrated 25 years of The LeaderShape Institute with so many participants, cluster facilitators, lead facilitators, guest leaders, and family.

It was a glorious evening and wonderful celebration with 240 of our closest friends.

The LeaderShape staff was able to go through our archives and provide historical pictures, documents, and letters to share our founding and growth that were put on display at the 25th Gala.

A t-shirt wall of dozens of past session t-shirts over the last 25 years displayed the richness and diversity of sessions.

Joe Cimino's "I am LeaderShape" video was shown as the chosen winner to our YouTube contest with over 1100 votes cast. Joe is a current student from St. John Fisher College. To see Joe's winning video, please click here.

We enjoyed the fellowship and friendship with all of those who were able to attend and with all of those who helped us celebrate by wearing your t-shirt, sending in pictures, posting on our Facebook fan page, retweeting our tweets, or sharing with a friend or colleague the impact that the program had on you. We all can share in our collective success!

We are so very proud to announce that the board alone has personally committed $1.4 million toward LeaderShape's 25th anniversary campaign! This is an incredible gesture of leadership!

The board invites you to become involved with our 25th anniversary campaign by contacting our President, Paul Pyrz, at 800.900.LEAD (5323) or by email at lead@leadershape.org or by donating here online. We invite you join us to make our next 25 years even better!

How Fascinating

In the curriculum for The LeaderShape Institute, I particularly enjoy and connect with the pieces on making mistakes and failure. As a person who struggles when I've blundered or (ugh!) bombed something, these sections continuously provide me with ways to reflect, reframe, and attend to error and my attitude. Right now I'm working to quiet my inner voice (thanks, Zander) in order to move forward.

What lessons from The LeaderShape Institute do you revisit?

Starting Your Week On the Right Foot

This morning I sat down at my desk for the first time in almost two weeks and immediately I was overwhelmed by the daily tasks of my job. Have you ever felt that way? It can be a paralyzing feeling. For me I get caught thinking that there is so little time and so much to do. I often don't know where to start. I had that feeling this morning. As I sat staring at my computer screen trying to figure out where to start my eyes wandered to a copy of the LeaderShape vision I have pinned to a bulletin board near my desk. I sat there for a moment and read…

VISION

A just, caring, and thriving world where all lead with integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible.

As I read that the feeling of being overwhelmed slowly went away. I was grounded once again in the purpose of all of these daily tasks. Really for me it isn't about how many emails I need to return or how many glass pebbles need to be ordered. It is about working every day to create this world.

As you start your week, I encourage you to find your grounding. We each become grounded in different ways. It may be by looking at a quote, reading a poem or a scripture that brings meaning to you. I could be revisiting the vision you created a LeaderShape. It may even be picking up the phone and calling someone you are care about. Or simply spending a few moments in quiet meditation. However you find your center, I encourage you do it everyday….never forget why you are involved in the organizations you are a part of, why you do the work you do or spend your time in the way you do. Don’t forget why these things are important to you.

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumblebee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” Ashley Smith, Author

Do You Know Your (Women's) History?

"We have a responsibility in our time, as others have had in theirs, not to be prisoners of history, but to shape history." - Madeleine K. Albright

A good friend of mine shared on his Twitter account on March 1st, "It's Women's History Month. Just in case you know any."

Today is international women's day.

Women and men have all had significant women role models in their life. But how are you educating yourself, your friends, and those around you about women's history?

The National Women's History Project (founded in 1980) is a good place to start. The site provides great information on news, events, and resources.

So start with yourself. Then spread the word.

"I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings." - Margaret Mead

Star in Our LeaderShape Video!

We’re making a video to celebrate 25 years of The LeaderShape Institute and would love for you to appear in it.  Whether you’re a past participant, facilitator, On-Site Coordinator, Program Coordinator or Guest Leader—we want to hear from you.

Whether or not you can make it to our 25^th Anniversary Gala on April 9^th in Chicago, we would love to honor the breadth and diversity of the LeaderShape Community, that stretches from 1986 to today. Take 15 minutes out of your day to be a part of something special! 

Take a photo of you holding a sign...

It’s very easy—you don’t even need a video camera!  Get complete details including where to send your snaps here:  http://tinyurl.com/4886ycd

...we'll add text based on info you share with us!

The deadline is March 15^th so don't delay (we need some time to edit!). Regroup with other LeaderShape friends and have a photo shoot!  We’d love to be bombarded with your photos and your creativity.

The video will open our Celebration in April and will be posted to YouTube for everyone to enjoy. Questions? Contact us at lead@leadershape.org.