The LeaderShape Institute
December 2015
The LeaderShape Institute is a nationally-renowned leadership development program that affords students the opportunity to spend six days crafting a comprehensive vision for their world. In addition to developing a groundbreaking change to benefit their community, group, cause, or organization, students are taught essential leadership skills and engage in a process of self-discovery with their peers. Working with roughly 60 other students from the University Honors Program, I was able to partake in this transformative experience from December 12 - 17, 2015 at the Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, Indiana. Without question, I can say that my experience was an invaluable one. In addition to the many new friends to which it introduced me, the LeaderShape Institute changed my outlook on leadership, community, goals, values, teamwork, and realizing my visions.
myI initially decided to pursue this experience because of the strong recommendations from students that had previously participated in the program. Friends of mine lauded the experience as one not to pass up, not only for the important skills that it taught, but also for the excellent role it served in building new friendships and communities that otherwise might not exist. From their perspective, the experience was unique because it brought together students from many different colleges, majors, backgrounds, and interests in a way that harnessed their collective motivations and passions for a communal development. Thus, applying for a spot in the program this year was a no-brainer.
The experience proved to be all that is was billed as and more. Being part of the LeaderShape Institute was an incredible learning experience, a great place to cement friendships and create new bonds, and exactly the kind of reflective, transformative experience that the University Honors Program encourages its students to pursue. Throughout my time at LeaderShape, I developed a better sense of who I am, as well as a more complete picture of the causes that I care about, the interests and passions that I have, and how I envision my role in creating groundbreaking change to further my goals. LeaderShape taught me to challenge what I know to be true, and instead to look ahead to what could be if I can bring my vision into reality. I had the chance to engage in dialogue about effect leading, the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership, the power of a team, and the exceptionally vital role that personal integrity plays in leadership. I also met a number of incredible individuals whose passions and determination drove me to work harder and whose insight and guidance helped me to refine my aspirations. Whether it was the Family Cluster to which I grew so close, or the many friends that I met and talked with during activities, meals, or lessons, I could not be more grateful for getting to know such wonderful people. |
|
An important part of the LeaderShape journey was that which dealt with the process of self-discovery. As leaders, it was important for us to discover our strengths and weaknesses, and to develop an understanding of the types of leaders that we already are, in order to adapt and grow. Pictured at right is a DiSC leadership assessment that I matched with.
|
Thank you to all of my fellow students, the University Honors Program and its advisers, our on-site coordinators, all of the Family Cluster facilitators, and Sean and Trey, our program directors, for making LeaderShape Institute 2015 such a wonderful experience!
|