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LEARNING TO LEAD, THE UNCOMMON WAY
BY: MACIE MORGAN, MEMBER RELATIONS COORDINATOR On September 10, employees of our member companies attended their first Uncommon Leadership Class. We were all nervous and a little hesitant as ABC Pelican’s 23rd class of Uncommon Leaders. Nate Dronette, a student of 2020 Uncommon Leadership and Disaster Recovery Operational Controller at EXCEL, said it best “I was skeptical of this class, but it has really opened my eyes.” Each week posed its own challenges. We learned about ourselves through the eyes of our peers, direct reports, and supervisors. Kathy, with Human Dynamics, gave us the tools and techniques to have those crucial conversations we have been avoiding. We were taught about the strengths and weaknesses of each personality type and given lessons on effective presentations. We left every class with a new set of skills to put to the test. Our classmates would discuss their success of the previous week and tell us how they put their newfound skills to use. Through hands on activities, many conversations with one another and our accountability partners, we worked together to help each other become a better leader. By the end of the course, many students had gained the confidence they were lacking to have those crucial conversations, learned how to better deal with difficult people and improved their overall work environment. We now have the tools we need; we just need to put them to work. “I took this class in 2002 and still use the techniques and skills I learned, today,” James Watts, Project Manager, EXCEL. Another sponsor takeaway came from Leigh with EXCEL, who works in IT. She sponsored Joseph and Shaun this year. “We deal in customer service, which includes lots of stress, and you have to learn how not to take that stress it to heart,” Leigh reflected. “These two are owning their set of issues and letting go of the issues they don’t own.” 57 www.abcpelican.org/newsletter
At graduation, the students in the 23rd class of Uncommon Leadership reflected on their most vital takeaway from the class. Some of these takeaways included: •“We have the tools we need; we just need to put them in play” •“You have to have the confidence in yourself to have crucial conversations” •“The flex plan…will make me a more approachable person” •“Delegation has really helped me out, and not getting too in the weeds will help me grow in my role” •“I avoid conflict, but this taught me how to approach conflict like a leader” •“I know my leadership and behavior style, now. I know how to state my path” •“I have a roadmap on how to grow as a leader” CONTINUED ON PAGE 58
