New Group Now Forming in Champaign, IL

The most successful leaders spend time outside of their organization getting perspective, and working on themselves. There’s no better way to do that than face to face with a group of supportive peers. That’s what my Leadership Development Cohorts are all about.

I’m now forming a new group, slated to start August 2016. Here are the highlights:

• An intimate group of 10 participants who want to connect, be challenged, and grow.
• Teaching and group interactions led by me.
• Meeting in Champaign, 8am-5pm, one Friday per month, for a year. Out-of-towners welcome to travel in.
• Teaching, group interaction, real-time workshopping, and monthly action plans to enhance your relationships and your performance. We’ll have breakfast and lunch together too.
• Teaching topics on emotional intelligence, leading others effectively, addressing conflict, pursuing your passion and purpose, creating healthy culture, strategic planning, and more.
• One year commitment. 12 all-day workshops. $2,400 total cost. $400 to hold your spot. Two payments of $1,000 each, (1st month and 7th month) cover the remainder of the registration fee.

The room we use for teaching times.

Many people haven’t been part of a personal and/or professional growth group before and naturally aren’t sure what to expect from one. Here’s a picture of what the experience is like.

Outline of the Day

8:00am	Continental Breakfast (included)
8:30am	Group Check-In on Goals, Progress, and How Life’s Going
9:30am	Personal/Professional Growth Teaching Topic by Me
11:00am	Group Interaction Facilitated by Me
Noon	Lunch Together (included)
1:00pm	Individual Member Workgroups (2 members per month)
2:30pm	Group Interaction Facilitated by Me
4:00pm	Homework Assignments and Action Plans
5:00pm	(Optional) Have a Drink and Decompress Downtown

Who You’ll Be With

Up to nine other people who want to grow and improve. Some from Central Illinois, some driving or flying in from faraway places to participate. Men and women, some business owners, some salaried workers in business, some workers in the nonprofit world. All different personalities. Everyone interviewed by me to ensure a good fit and a positive experience.

Sample Teaching Topics

• The Connection Between Personal Character and Organizational Performance
• How to Engage Conflict and Confront Effectively
• Strategic Thinking and Intentional Future Planning
• Understanding Organizational Cultures and Leading them Intentionally
• When Bad Things Happen: Healthy Responses to Negative Realities In Us and Around Us
• What Makes a Business Model Work

All teaching times will be relaxed and interactive and tailored to the specific interests of the group.

Group Interaction

These are the times that make groups awesome. These interactive groups provide a chance to give and receive feedback that’s hard to get anywhere else. I’ll encourage members to talk with the group about what’s really going on in life and work. You’ll get honest and supportive input on how you are approaching things, and how others in the group relate to you. It’s real-time opportunity to work on communication, know yourself better as a leader, and be part of a supportive community as you work on challenges. I’ll be there to make sure the conversation is healthy and productive.

Workgroups

These are a chance to take 45 minutes to have the group be your advisory board. Twice each year you’ll have a time slot to present a challenge, opportunity, or tough decision you are facing, and have the group help you address it. There’s always a ton of wisdom in the room that can really help.

Action Plan

Each month you’ll leave with one to three specific action steps to move forward with between meetings. When we are back together the following month you’ll ask each other how you did, high-five each other when it goes well, and help troubleshoot when it doesn’t.

Overall Takeaways

You’ll get out of your routine once a month to deliberately focus on growing you. You’ll work from your heart and your head. You’ll make new and surprisingly close friends. You’ll get unstuck in tough areas personally and professionally. You’ll bring your biggest challenges into a supportive community. You’ll see improved results in your work or organization.

Tentative Dates

All Fridays, except the Kickoff Dinner

August 4, 2016 – Kickoff Dinner at Mark’s House 5:30 PM
August 5, 2016
September 9, 2016
October 7, 2016
November 4, 2016
December 2, 2016
January 13, 2017
February 3, 2017
March 3, 2017
April 7, 2017
May 5, 2017
June 2, 2017
July 14, 2017

If you are interested in being part of this group, or to learn more, send an email to mark@aardsma.com.