MARCH 2017
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Contents 5 2017 Nominations Calendar
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
Guest Contributor Harvey Robbins Leadership Guru Simon Oates Leadership Expert
6 Surprising Benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Seafood 7 Yes! Screen Time Can Be Good For Young Kids: Experts Agree Digital Education May Help Young Kids Learn 8 Farming Program Helps Neighbors in Rural America Fight Hunger: Breaking Barriers to Win the War Against Hunger in Rural America 9 Five Easy Tips to Prepare Your Family For The Daylight Saving Time Change
11 The Next Big IT Career: Data Analytics Turns Big Data Into Career Opportunities 12 How to Plan a Successful Spring Getaway 14 Four Real-Life Ways Technology Is Transforming The Present And The Future 20 Leadership Skill: Leaving a Legacy 21 Leadership Training in the 21st Century: How to bring your Leadership Training Up-to-Date
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Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely,
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Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017 3 @RuralLeaderMag
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2017 NOMINATIONS CALENDAR Forty under Forty Recognizes young leaders under 40 from AL, FL, and GA March 1st-April 30th (September issue) Fifty under Fifty Recognizes leaders under fifty nationally for outstanding achievement April 30th-May 31st (July issue) Eagle of Elite Club Magazine Recognizes youth ages 5-13 for outstanding scholastic achievement in leadership, art, music, community service, and sports March 1st-April 30th (June Publication) Twenty under Twenty Recognizes youth under 20 for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service March 30th-April 30th (May issue) Scholars of Collegiate Distinction Magazine Honors individuals of all ages who attain higher education from small communities May 1st-June 30th (August Publication) Best Small Town Restaurant Ongoing Celebrating the Women of Small Town America Recognizes women ages 18 and older for exemplary achievement and service to community April 1-May1st (Virtual Online Only) Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People A national call to recognize exemplary leaders from small communities July 1-Aug. 31st (December issue) For More Information, visit RuralLeaderMag.com.
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5 Surprising Benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Seafood You’re shopping for tonight’s dinner and decide fish sounds delicious. You visit the seafood section of your local market and are suddenly overwhelmed with choices. Salmon, tilapia, clams or shrimp? Imported or U.S. farm raised? It can feel like there are endless options when shopping at the grocery store. Knowing what’s best for you and your family is difficult enough, yet alone weighing environmental concerns and other impacts of food choices. When selecting seafood, there are various things to consider before deciding what to put in your cart. For many people, U.S. farm-raised options are their seafood of choice for a variety of reasons. Low-calorie protein U.S. farm-raised fish and shellfish are an amazingly nutrient dense food and are excellent sources of high quality, easily digestible protein. What’s more, they are packed with important vitamins and minerals including essential B-complex, A and D vitamins as well as selenium, iron and zinc. An average serving has less than 200 calories. Some of the leaner varieties like tilapia, clams, oysters, mussels and shrimp have less than 100 calories. Heart health Coronary heart disease continues to be the No. 6 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
1 cause of death in the United States. According to most health experts, eating fish and seafood just twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease while providing a host of other benefits. U.S. farmraised seafood is low in cholesterol and high in omega-3 fatty acids that play a major role in maintaining coronary heart health, as well as the health of the brain. Safer regulations If you want to help ensure that the seafood you consume is safe to eat, opt for products that have been farm-raised in the United States. Look for country of origin and method of production labels in your supermarket. The U.S. has strict regulations that help ensure you and your family are eating the highest quality, safest seafood. For example, in the U.S. it is illegal to use antibiotics and hormones to promote growth. Plus, you are supporting family farms that generate jobs for Americans. Sustainable More than 90 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States is imported, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Those imports can often come from countries that do not have strict environmental and product safety standards. In the United States, fish and shellfish are farmed using
methods that do not harm the environment while helping to meet the growing demand for seafood by supplementing wild harvests. Pregnancy superfood There is a growing body of evidence that children whose mothers regularly consumed seafood during pregnancy had better motor skills and brain function after birth. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 recommend that pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers consume at least 8 ounces of seafood each week. Good choices include fish like salmon, trout, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass and tilapia. Want to learn more? Visit thenaa.net to get more information and delicious seafood recipes to try at home.—BPT
Yes! Screen Time Can Be Good For Young Kids: Experts Agree Digital Education May Help Young Kids Learn
Expanding on its nearly 40-year heritage of delivering award-winning early learning solutions to prepare children for a lifelong love of education, School Zone Inc. has launched AnywhereTeacher.com, a safe and trusted subscription-based “Digital Educational Playground” designed by educators for children ages 2-8 and their parents. Educational video combined with traditional learning tools such as digital flash cards, games, interactive worksheets and printable activities make learning fun--anywhere and at anytime--for today's digitally savvy families.
For years, parents and pediatricians fretted over how much screen time was too much, especially for very young children. Many child health experts advised minimal screen time for elementary-aged kids and none at all for children younger than 2. New research, a revised policy from the American Acade-
my of Pediatrics (AAP), and the personal experience of millennial parents who grew up in the digital age, have changed the way parents view screen time for youngsters. “Research now shows us that not all screen time Continued on page 16 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017 7
Farming Program Helps Neighbors in Rural America Fight Hunger: Breaking Barriers to Win the War Against Hunger in Rural America
Although the United States produces much of the world’s food, 48 million people in the country are food insecure, lacking access to enough food to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle. What’s even more surprising is that many of the counties with the highest rates of food insecurity are located in rural communities, the very places growing the bulk of this food. According to Feeding America’s study Map the Meal Gap 2016, rural counties are more likely to have high rates of food insecurity than more densely populated counties. In fact, 54 percent of counties with the highest rates of food are in rural areas. Rural areas also account for 62 percent of counties with the highest rates of child food insecurity. While shocking to many, these numbers don’t surprise Michelle Sause, Assistant Director of Network Relations at Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha. Her work with the food bank covers more than 78,000 square miles and spans 93 counties. “The majority of our counties are rural communities,” says Sause. “We serve over 530 network partners that include pantries, meal providers and backpack programs, Kid’s Cafe and summer feeding programs.” Some of the challenges in providing food to 8 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
food-insecure families are unique in rural locations compared to metropolitan areas. These pantries often have limited resources, supplies and volunteers, which makes it difficult to secure meals for people struggling with hunger. “We have two main challenges - transportation and establishing partnerships with donors in our rural communities,” she says. “With a service area that spans over 78,000 square miles, transportation can be a challenge.” Sause adds, “Another challenge is finding and securing relationships with donors. This challenge is partly because our communities really want to take care of their own and when a large agency from a bigger city is coming in, it can feel threatening.” There is a tradition of helping your neighbor in rural communities, including Sause’s. Invest An Acre is a program working hard to uphold that tradition. Invest An Acre is a program of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, designed to engage farmers, agribusiness, and rural communities in the fight against hunger in rural communities across America. Farmers can donate a portion of their crop proceeds at their local grain elevator, by check or online. Donations are
doubled by matching partners, and the full amount is distributed directly to eligible local food banks and pantries. This means 200 percent of what a farmer gives goes back to the local food back of that town, and the people who need it most. Food Bank for the Heartland - just one of many organizations working with Invest An Acre to fight rural hunger - has received more than $50,000 through the program.
“At Food Bank for the Heartland, we have found the best support is locally sourced,” says Sause. “Thank you to the generous farmers who have donated through Invest An Acre and who have encouraged fellow farmers to participate too. You are making a difference in the lives of hungry children, families and seniors.”—BPT
Five Easy Tips to Prepare Your Family For The Daylight Saving Time Change
Daylight saving time brings brighter evenings and a reminder that spring and warmer weather are within reach. However, it comes with the potential to wreak havoc on a family’s sleep routine. Time changes can make morning schedules just a little bit harder for parents everywhere. “A time change shifts our body’s normal schedule and losing an hour of sleep during daylight saving time can be a tough transition for moms and their families,” says Shannon Wright, a registered dietitian and wellness expert for Natrol, a market leader of vitamins and supplements. Despite this, daylight saving time may be just the right time to reset sleep routines and get family schedules back on track. “Use this time change as a reason to start implementing a better night time routine for the entire family,” Wright says. “If adults do not get the seven to
nine hours of sleep the body needs, it can have significant consequences such as decreased mood, poor performance at work and an increase in accidents can occur.” To help families get through this time change adjustment, Wright recommends these tips and tricks to help ease into the transition and get the best night’s sleep possible: 1. Stay consistent. Develop a nightly routine to help regulate your body’s sleep and wake schedule. Aim to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends. This can help support your body’s natural sleep cycle and also support the body’s release of melatonin, which helps put you to sleep and promotes more restful sleep. 2. Limit nighttime screen time. Continued on page 18 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017 9
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The Next Big IT Career: Data Analytics Turns Big Data Into Career Opportunities Career opportunities in technology continue to expand exponentially: the computer and information technology field is expected to grow 12 percent, adding nearly half a million new jobs by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. What’s more, the median wage for people in the field is nearly $50,000 higher than the median for all occupations. If you’re considering a career in IT, but aren’t sure common jobs like coding or systems maintenance are for you, data analytics is a growth niche that may be worth a look, industry watchers say. In an industry that’s booming across all disciplines, anticipated demand for data analysts has inspired leading universities like Western Governors University (WGU) to offer new bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the field. What is data analytics? You’ve probably heard the term “big data” - it’s the next big thing in IT. From social media and public records, to mobile phone apps that track spending habits, companies have more sources of consumer information than ever before. The sheer volume of information constitutes “big data,” and in the competitive business world, companies can gain an edge by using that information to better market their products to consumers. Data analytics helps companies manage big data and analyze it, so they can better target different audiences, differentiate their messages and product offerings, calibrate their market, and formulate sales and financial strategies. Companies that don’t know how to analyze their data risk losing
valuable time, money, market share, and customer loyalty. Using a variety of tools, techniques and strategies, data analysts help companies interpret their big data and find value in the information they gather every day from myriad sources. Opportunities in data analytics Because big data has become so pervasive, virtually every company needs a data analyst, from retail stores to the service industry, heavy industry to finance. A professional with a data analyst degree might work on marketing strategy, marketing management, financial analysis, digital marketing, SEO management, customer experience management, marketing automation, web analytics management, capital and asset planning, property management, and human resources strategy and analysis. Marketing in particular offers many opportunities for people with degrees in data analytics. Finance, and capital and equipment management have also historically been data-intensive. Becoming a data analyst If you already have an interest in information technology, a career in data analytics may be for you if you also: * Enjoy problem-solving. Data analysis is like solving a complex puzzle you create yourself from the pieces provided by a number of different sources. * Thrive on challenge. * Excel at understanding both macro and micro patterns. * Have good math skills. “Crunching numbers” is very much a part of the data analyst’s job, and strong math skills
can help you better manage and understand the volumes of data you’ll deal with every day. * Have strong communication skills. As a data analyst, you’ll need to be able to effectively explain complex concepts and data-derived insights in layman’s terms to executives with varying levels of technical knowledge. To pursue a career in data analytics, you’ll also need a degree. The field is growing at such a rapid pace that WGU, a non-profit, online competency-based university with more than 77,000 students nationwide, recently launched bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in data analytics. The bachelor’s program prepares students to establish, secure and maintain data environments, and teach them the skills needed to analyze the data to identify patterns, explain phenomena, and predict trends. The master’s program teaches experienced professionals more in-depth skills for data management and analysis, including data mining, manipulation, interpretation, programming and communication/visualization. Visit www.wgu.edu to learn more.—BPT
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How to Plan a Successful Spring Getaway No matter where you live, spring travel is synonymous with the search for warm weather. While the sunshine may help keep the blues at bay, it takes more than just golden rays to make a trip unforgettable. Whether you’re taking a family vacation, a couples escape or a getaway with friends, these insider tips will help you plan a successful trip: Look for deals at well-known destinations The best trips happen when you find a destination that everyone loves and you stay on budget. Start by researching areas that have something for everyone so no one feels left out. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - with virtually endless attractions, world-class dining and 60 miles of beautiful shoreline - is one of these gems that also happens to be affordable. Countless deals can be found in any season at www.visitmyrtlebeach.com. Once you determine your destination, dig in to find the deal that’s right for you. Some hotels and resorts offer themed packages that also provide deep discounts on museum tickets, concerts and oth12 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
er special events. Or you can make your own trip, allowing each member of your party to pick their favorite must-see attraction. Try something new It’s important to enjoy some R&R, but also make time to try something new on your trip. This will take you outside your comfort zone, which can stimulate the mind in new and exciting ways. What’s more, it’s how you create lasting memories. With growing interest in adventure travel, many destinations are offering exciting and fun experiences for all age groups. In Myrtle Beach, for example, you can try cable boarding at Shark Wake Park, which allows you to wake-board without a boat, or indulge your inner speed demon by racing around a track in the area’s NASCAR Racing Experience. Embrace experiential eating Eating is one of the best ways to truly experience what makes a destination unique, so be sure to eat like a local, and maybe even fish like one, too. Eating turns into a memorable experience when you’ve helped catch your main dish. Sign up for a shrimp-
ing, crabbing or a deep-sea fishing excursion and enjoy an adventure plus a delectable meal. If you’d rather avoid the open sea, you’re not out of luck. Seek out restaurants that source ingredients locally. That could mean eateries that boast a farmto-table or sea-to-table experience so you enjoy the freshest fare available. Become a history buff Virtually anywhere you go in the United States, you’ll discover a fascinating history of how it came to be. When you make time to explore museums, walk stunning gardens and visit memorials, you’ll be able tell tales back home that you would otherwise have never known. For an insider’s glimpse into history, check out National Historic Landmarks. For example, Hopse-
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wee Plantation in the Myrtle Beach area was built an estimated 40 years before the Revolutionary War. In addition to beautiful scenery, you’ll experience the heritage of the area up close. These four steps will help you plan a vacation that your travel crew will be raving about long after you return home. Best yet, you’ll have memories that will last a lifetime.—BPT
2017 NATIONAL
Call For Nominations Begins March 1-April 30, 2017
Honorees will be featured in the June 2017 Publication of Eagle Elite Club Magazine.
For INFO, visit the link below.
What you do matters. R U R A L L E A D E R M A G . C O M GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017 13
Four Real-Life Ways Technology Is Transforming The Present And The Future
Smartphones keep people constantly connected, smart cars can drive and park themselves, and smart buildings are designed to use less energy as they keep everyone occupying them comfy and productive. Of course you think you know how technology is revolutionizing everyday life. But do you really understand that tech now touches everything? Technology’s influence on modern life may be even greater than you realize. Here are four ways technology could transform your life at home and at work: 1. Home life Technology is making homes “smarter” and more connected. You may already have a smart thermostat in your home that adjusts the temperature automatically and learns your patterns and preferences to provide you with maximum comfort for minimum energy expenditure. But wouldn’t you like to be able to control that thermostat - or the lights, alarm and blinds - from your office using your smartphone? Wouldn’t it be great if you could ask your refrigerator whether you need milk so you can pick it up on your way home from work? The technology to do all those things already exists and is becoming more commonplace. BI Intelligence predicts that by 2020, 193 million smart home devic14 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
es will be shipped. The devices will range from smart clothes washers and dryers to alarm system components, energy equipment like thermostats, and smart lighting. 2. Safer roadways The leading factors that lead to car crashes have one thing in common - they all involve a human being behind the wheel. Data compiled by the Auto Insurance Center found bad driving behaviors like failure to yield right of way, not staying in the proper lane and reckless or careless driving were leading causes of accidents. Emerging technology aims to reduce the element of human error. Connected cars use wireless technology for a range of purposes, from navigation to remote monitoring and control and even managing vehicle systems. Expected to enhance the driver’s experience, all new passenger cars sold in 2025 will be connected, according to the 2015 study, “Connected vehicle-Succeeding with a disruptive technology,” from Accenture Strategy. 3. Less time in doctor’s offices Every time you visit a doctor’s office or stay in a hospital, many costs are incurred. Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles cost you cash, plus you could lose valuable work time. Insurance companies pay
for covered services, while visits to the hospital or doctor’s office costs health care providers costly staff hours. Technologies such as remote health monitoring and diagnostics can help trim costs and deliver care. Remote monitoring uses a variety of devices (monitors) to help patients and doctors keep tabs on important health indicators, such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels. It can help physicians provide health care while incurring fewer costs associated with missed appointments and hospital readmissions, notes the Deloitte University Press. 4. Safer senior years As they grow older, many people find they need help at home in order to remain independent. Assisted living facilities aim to give seniors basic in-home care, such as help with taking medications. Technology is now available to help seniors who remain at home, including fall detection sensors and activity monitors to interactive food logs, and symptom tracking to machines that help automate wound care and physical therapy. Devices ranging from sensors and environmental controls to vehicles that are connected through the internet are some aspects of the Internet of Things,
and it’s a network that continues to grow, which could make tech skills more desirable. DeVry University, which was founded in 1931 with an emphasis on technology, offers degree programs that focus on information technology and computer sciences. DeVry has put technology at the core of its business, tech and health care programs.—BPT
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Screen Time, Cont'd from page 7 is equal,” says Barbara Peacock, managing director of School Zone Inc., a recognized leader in creating innovative multimedia learning tools to prepare children for a lifelong love of education who recently launched AnywhereTeacher.com, a “Digital Educational Playground” for kids 2-8. “Everyone agrees it’s important for children to maintain healthful levels of physical activity, but studies also show educational screen time can be an effective way to supplement children’s learning. As the American Academy of Pediatrics recently noted, ‘the effects of media use are multi-factorial and depend on the type of media, the type of use, the amount and extent of use, and the characteristics of the individual child.” New understanding The AAP and other child health experts have long counseled parents against allowing very young children to have much screen time. However, the AAP recently revised its stance, citing “evidence regarding health media use (that) does not support a one-sizefits-all approach” to media use by children. Rather than keeping young children off devices entirely, the AAP now advises parents to develop a Family Media Use Plan that takes into account children’s developmental stages, and uses that information to create an appropriate and individual balance for media usage by each child. The AAP encourages parents to establish boundaries for how and when children may use digital devices, ensure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information online, and openly talk with children about media use. In revising its recommendation, the AAP looked to a growing body of research that shows digital media use can help facilitate learning. Writing in the Hechinger Report, a highly regarded watchdog media outlet that covers inequality and innovation in education, Lisa Guernsey, director of New America’s early education initiative, and Michael H. Levine, founding director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, a nonprofit literacy and digital media research organization, explained the shift in thinking. “Literacy rates and toddlers’ media use may seem unrelated, but they are inextricably tied,” the co-authors noted. “The important connections between media and reading must be brought to light in schools, households, and in the public’s imagination ... children at very young ages can gain important skills in literacy and language development if the content on the screen is designed for learning and if they have a parent or educator who talks with them about what they are doing and seeing.” 16 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
Making media work for learning Parental involvement in media use is the key difference between programming that benefits children’s educational development, and valueless screen time, research shows. The National Head Start Association recently stressed that “family engagement is integral” to successful learning. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education agreed in a joint policy statement issued in May 2015: “Families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates and nurturers,” the statement said, calling family involvement in kids’ education “critical” to their long-term success. Busy tech-savvy parents recognize how easy technology can make it to access high-quality supplemental learning tools for their children, but finding a trusted source of curated content is not always easy. Speaking to her company’s newly launched site, Peacock comments, “AnywhereTeacher.com features content that has been developed exclusively by School Zone based on decades of research and broad-based experience working with educators, dating back almost 40 years when our founders, James Hoffman, Ed.D and his wife Joan, MA, recognized the need for at-home learning materials.” The subscription-based AnywhereTeacher.com is an easy to navigate site for youngsters that combines the power of video with traditional learning tools such as flash cards, games, interactive worksheets and printable activities. Original episodic programming like Charlie & Company engages children with educational messages in a fun, familiar way. The service, which starts at just $6.99 per month, allows parents to manage their children’s activities and view their progress, creating an opportunity to talk about learning goals and improvement. The service is compatible with most devices and you can buy a subscription through iTunes, Google Play or PayPal to gain access from any device. There’s no limit on the number of devices families can simultaneously use to access the site. Visit AnywhereTeacher.com to learn more.BPT
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Daylight Savings Con'd from page 9 Unwinding with your favorite TV shows or reading the latest news on your smartphone or tablet can seem like a nice way to ease into falling asleep once the kids are in bed, but it can hinder your sleep if you do it within an hour of bedtime. The blue light release from these various technological devices can actually trick your brain into thinking it is daytime and your body will delay its release of melatonin. 3. Step outside. Use that extra daylight to spend some quality time outside with your family. Research suggests a correlation between exercise and a good night’s rest. You can even use a pedometer or step monitor to ensure you’re moving your body enough throughout the day. Challenge your family to be more active and your whole family will be getting more sleep. 4. Create an environment for sleep. A perfect sleep environment should be dark, quiet and cool so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep. If you have challenges with any of these factors, invest in some blackout curtains, ear plugs or a fan. 5. Get support with a melatonin supplement Various factors can affect the natural production of melatonin in our bodies such as age, diet, time changes and stress. Supplementing with melatonin can help establish normal sleep patterns to give you a more restful, relaxing sleep and in turn, better overall health. Try Natrol Melatonin, a 100 percent drug-free sleep aid that is non-habit forming to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep so you wake up feeling refreshed. “Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different so use these tips and be patient. Before long, moms and their families will be fully rested and ready to tackle their busy days,” Wright says.—BPT
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TWENTY SEVENTEEN Rural Leader Forty under 40 Call for Nominations Honoring Exemplary Young Leaders in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia
Rural Leader Magazine is searching for 40 exemplary individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. So often leaders in smaller communities are not recognized. Rural Leader 40 under 40 was developed with the purpose to recognize exclusively leaders who live and work in small communities. Many are dedicated to making things happen in their churches, businesses, organizations, and communities. They are unsung heroes who contribute much to the vitality and sustainability of their communities. Rural Leader 40 under 40 is an effort to demonstrate the value of those contributions. And so, Rural Leader Magazine needs your help to identify these deserving young leaders in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The call for nominations opens March 1, 2017. The deadline is April 30, 2017 for all applications. Here’s what we’re looking for: 1. Nominee must be at least 20 and under 40 as of September 1, 2017 AND reside or work in a small rural community with a population of 15,000 or less in AL, FL, or GA. 2. Applications must be completed online or via Email by April 30, 2017. nated by someone else. 4. The selected 40 will be featured in the September 2017 edition of Rural Leader Magazine. The top four nominees will be featured on the magazine cover. The selected Rural Leader 40 under 40 nominees will be honored with a luncheon. The winner will be announced during the luncheon
honors. 5. Selected nominees must attend luncheon honors that will be held Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11:30 AM at Albany Technical College, 1704 South Slappey Boulevard in Georgia. 6. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by Rural Leader Magazine. Selected nominees will be notified via email. All decisions final. 7. To apply, visit RuralLeaderMag.com. Or Send the information below via email by the above deadline to editor@ruralleadermagazine.com 8. Information to include: Nominee’s Name, Age, Employer, Title/Position Mailing Address, (County), State, Zip Code Phone (Include Area Code), and Email Address 8A. Send a quality headshot photo of at least 300 dpi of the nominee under separate cover to editor@ruralleadermagazine.com 9. Answer the following questions about your Nominee: 1. What distinguishes your nominee? 2. Tell us about their contributions and involvement in community. 3. Describe your nominee’s professional achievements and activities. 10 Also include: Nominee/Nominator may also attach resume (3 page limit, please). Name of Nominator if different from nominee; How do you know the nominee? Phone and Email (of the nominator).— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017 19
Leadership Skill: by Harvey Robbins Take a look at all the leaders who have left a positive legacy of organizational effectiveness, and what do you find. Breadth, depth, and talent. But what do they actually do? They develop themselves, they develop others, they develop big ideas, and they develop high performance cultures. They leave a legacy by leveraging their natural personality gifts to guide choices about acquiring skills and developing their organization’s culture. One in which people have clearly defined goals, continuous feedback, and career alignment all within a culture driven by the excitement of achievement and the vision of destiny. After a combined 45 years of experience in the field of leadership development, my wife, Nancy, and I have concluded that much of what is currently written about leadership is both confusing and misleading. It’s mostly descriptive, not prescriptive. First of all, leaders are being encouraged to think “outside the box;” attempting feats of magic and leaps of faith that go well beyond what most normal people can do (baring some major life-changing experience like a near death experience or getting married). They are told to think like Queen Elizabeth, Buddha, Attila, Zen, Tao, Jack, Al Jesus. As a result, people start popping their heads out of their comfort zones, start looking around, grasping at straws, and ignoring what’s under their noses. This is unreasonable, unnecessary, and contrary to human nature. Besides, thinking and acting are two different things. Second, there are just too many leadership dimensions discussed (over 50) for any reasonable leader to master. Yet try they do. I’ve coached senior leaders responding to their organization’s leadership competency model trying to perfect all dimensions in the model. It’s hogwash! To invest across the board in development can result at best in mediocrity on 20 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2017
many fronts. Average, no matter in how many arenas does not produce above average results. Successful leaders don’t waste their time acquiring skills they don’t need. And since your brain is only so big and can only hold so much stuff, it becomes critical to optimize your capabilities. You don’t need to master the 50 dimensions required to be the perfect leader, just those that you need to be successful right now. Finally, not only are there too many leadership dimensions, but the words and adjectives used to define leadership overlap to the point of creating confusion, both in literature and practice. A recent factor analysis performed on a 360-degree feedback instrument (a questionnaire with self, boss, peer and subordinate ratings) found only two major factors underlying the 50 leadership dimensions: “smart” and “nice.” The “smart” factor is action and thinking skills and the “nice” factor is people skills and character. Becoming a legendary leader and creating a high performance culture is not that difficult if you are willing to follow a few rules. 1. Be outcome oriented 2. Be feedback rich 3. Create a balanced approach that gives people the motivation to move forward and a vision (and a pathway) to achieve success. 4. Know yourself 5. Coach others 6. Push for those ideas that will change the way you operate. —
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by Simon Oates
Leadership Training in the 21st Century: How to bring your Leadership Training Up-to-Date
If you're reading this article, you're probably someone responsible for delivering an effective and value-enhancing leadership training program within your organization. Given that employee turnover can be quite high in the modern age, there is the very real risk that you star employees may undergo expensive leadership training and actually leave the company within the next year, with a padded CV ready for their next big opportunity. This has led for leadership training courses in the 21st century to really deliver on value-for-money, as the company will want to ensure that leadership training is a profit-enhancing activity even if turnover of senior managers approaches for instance, 25%. In my opinion, the problem of employee turnover in the 21st century also presents an opportunity to really change the nature of leadership training, and structure in specific and principled approaches designed to retain the best talent, even years after the 5 day course has been completed. What measures could be taken to increase retention you ask? Well, for starters - a key part of the training must be for the participant to see for themselves their future within the company. Teaching somebody simple leadership skills such as oratory, PR, time management, leadership theory and strategy will only arm them with knowledge and skills, and will not inherently attract that employee to your organisation, above and beyond the loyalty that delivering such a scheme would produce. Therefore, stop arming your employees with just skills and start arming them with a dream, arm them with a goal, a specific future that they wsh to create for themselves, and that the course can help clarify and help deliver. An example of this at its most simplest would be a course with a built in module about career advancement within a company. With largest multinationals, this topic can be very complicated,
and many employees would benefit from knowing in detail what their opportunities are. If there are opportunities for working abroad, do you employees know about this? If a senior manager could possibily second over to a different department such as marketing for a few weeks, did they know that all it took was a phonecall to the right person and this ball could start rolling? To take this a stage further, for very senior employees, e.g. senior manager below the board, and board members themselves. It may be worth discussing with their superior on an indvidual basis before the course begins such that you know the specific goals that they may be able to achieve. For instance, their boss or counsellor may be able to tell you that they wish to achieve the CEO role within 5 years, and therefore you will be able to help them structure their activities and annual planning to facilitate being able to do that. With this sort of focus, leadership training can be as much as career planning as it is about public speaking. This type of leadership training will not only inspire and arm the employees but will also give a great vision of how they can apply those skills to help your companies bottom line in the future.—
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