Mid-Year Skills Day

Verde Valley Leadership Mid Year Skills Day

(Sedona, AZ)- Members of Class V from Verde Valley Leadership enjoyed meeting together for their Mid Year Skills Day on Friday February 18, 2011 in Jerome, AZ.

The issue day marked their halfway point through the first year of the program. The Issue Day was focused on Class V participants, their personal or professional Vision, Mission and Goals. With the help of Jodie Filardo, Clarkdale Sustainability Project Manager, each class member was able to review their accomplishments to date and reflect on whether their plans were working, needed improvement, or were right on track. Jodie mentioned how encouraged she was to see everyone “still hard at work” from the last time, their kick off retreat in September.

Class V also had the opportunity to enjoy the “True Colors” exercise with Chris Heyer, Adjunct Faculty Coordinator for Yavapai College at the Verde Valley Campus. Chris helped the class members determine their “True Colors” and how to relate them in their personal and professional environments. One class member was heard saying; “now I know how to communicate with my boss.” The exercise proved to be informative and effective.

Next, the class heard from Tammy Linn, Prescott Councilwoman, who presented on Business Ethics. Tammy gave an enthusiastic presentation with real life scenarios to get the class members involved and thinking about their actions and how to respond. Tammy then shared some personal examples of her challenges as a Councilwoman and the pressure on today’s society to be ethical in business practices.

A true highlight of the day was hearing a passion from Dan Engler, Verde Valley Newspapers, Inc., and his wife Patty Engler, Cardiology Nurse. They shared the telling story of Ernest Shackleton and his catastrophic expedition that led to a courageous and lasting example of leadership to this day. Dan and Patty shared some highlights from what they have learned about Shackleton’s adventure and encouraged the class members to use them as an example in their own journey of leadership.

Finally, the class wrapped up with a round table discussion of the book “Leading at the Edge” the Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition. Class members shared highlights from the book, what has helped them or stuck out them as useful in their path to leadership.

The issue day proved to be a success and marked an accomplishment for each of them as they reached their halfway point and continue in the Verde Valley Leadership program.