LeaderShape ® Overview

Every day of LeaderShape® you'll focus on a concept which will help you to define leadership and help you master your skills as a leader.

Day 1: "Building Community"

You'll begin to explore what leadership means and become familiar with the basic philosophy and schedule of the week. You'll meet the other 50 or 60 participants in the "Learning Community" and join 10 to 14 other young adults in a group called the "Family Cluster." As your primary support and reference group, the Family Cluster will offer you feedback and help you develop your important LeaderShape Project.

Day 2: "The Value of One, The Power of All"

You'll begin the second day by experiencing the Team Challenge Course. By working your way through a series of outdoor initiatives and discussions, you will discover how teamwork, trust, and problem solving can be enhanced in a supportive group setting.

Next, you will add another dimension to your self-awareness by completing a personal style inventory. The end result will be an opportunity to set several learning goals for the week and share those with the members of your Family Cluster. You'll also participate in exercises which reinforce the concepts of respect, group support, and community building.

Day 3: "Challenging What Is, Looking To What Could Be"

Creating a powerful vision is one of the most important qualities for a leader! During this exciting day, you'll begin to work on defining and refining your own LeaderShape Project — a tangible and transformational change for your organization or institution back home. You'll spend much of the afternoon in an interactive setting seeking input on your vision for the future.

The evening will conclude with a Guest Leader Panel and Reception. This is your opportunity to interact with significant leaders in business, education and the professions. Using an informal question-and-answer format, these individuals will share their insights and experiences related to the challenges of "leading with integrity."

Day 4: "Bringing Vision to Reality"

A vision is only a dream unless it results in action. During this highly interactive day, the issues of change, planning, relationship building and power will all be explored as strategies for bringing vision to reality.

Day 5: "Living and Leading With Integrity"

The concept of "leading with integrity" is a challenging one, but is central to the LeaderShape philosophy of lifelong leadership development. Values, decisions, and action will be a part of this powerful day. You'll explore what it means to "walk your talk" and create an organization with integrity.

During the afternoon and evening you will have free time to picnic, relax, and prepare for a creative Family Cluster skit for The LeaderShape Revue.

Day 6: "Staying in Action"

On this final day, you'll prepare to return home and face your responsibilities as a LeaderShape graduate who practices the discipline of "leading with integrity." You'll learn what it means to be a part of the nationwide LeaderShape community — a network of mutual encouragement and support. A Learning Community graduation and brunch conclude the week.