A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News March 17, 2008 - Leadership training vital to community's economic growth By: Sheryl Hiles, for the Daily Tribune The late, great Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Leaders aren't born, they are made." I'd like to share my experience in how local leadership training is helping embrace change and foster economic growth in our communities. Every day, communities of all sizes in our country are bombarded with endless challenges. Our world is in a constant state of change. How can we be ready to effectively meet and manage change? Complex problems require the development of leaders who can make informed decisions and use creative techniques to tackle tough issues head-on. Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." During the past year, I have been privileged to participate in an Advanced Leadership Institute training program sponsored by the Community Progress Initiative in South Wood County. The year-long program brought together individuals from all walks of life. The list included elected officials, business owners, non-profit managers and ordinary citizens. Each brought varied leadership backgrounds and perspectives, talent, and the desire to think "outside the box." Most importantly, each person brought the enthusiasm and initiative to make this community a better place to live. At our leadership training sessions, we learned much about our community's past as a means to lay the groundwork for the future. Our community has a rich industrial heritage that is now being shaken by change, including layoffs and plant closings. Like other communities in transition, the change that our community is experiencing has become the training ground for leadership. We've acquired important skills in communication, problem-solving, negotiation and team building while in a safe and supportive environment, building excitement and confidence. Through our work and newly formed network, we shared knowledge and expertise and built critical resources to bring about solutions to community issues. We acquired a shared vision, set goals and became stakeholders in our community. I am proud to say that my leadership class is shaping a new way of life. We have taken what we have learned and applied our skills to real-time situations. Projects currently being worked on include: municipal collaboration and intercommunity development, the formation of a technology park, research in education, downtown revitalization, recycling projects and an area-wide program called "Speak Your Peace" that is working to promote civility among our citizens. As I look to the future, I wonder what my community would be like if we didn't have the advanced leadership training program. What if no one had the courage or skills to step up and lead? If people did take on leadership roles, would they be effective leaders? Would there be arguments and division? Would tasks get accomplished in an efficient way? Would people be happy to live in our community, or would they move away and settle elsewhere? Leadership training is vital to the growth and economic prosperity of our communities. It helps foster our democracy by giving all individuals the opportunity to participate in their future. It prepares us to embrace change and be proactive, rather than reactive. Leadership training empowers individuals to be more informed and confident risk-takers, ready to take on challenges. We need a cadre of dedicated leaders who are willing to take ownership and accept the responsibility for making change happen. I leave you with an old Chinese proverb. It says, "If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people." Sheryl Hiles is an Advanced Leadership Institute participant.
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