Leadership important during economic downturn - San Francisco Business Times:

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“High-quality leaders are what we need most to get throughg thesedifficult times,” said JoAnne Brandes, one of the prograj leaders and creators of the recently launched at Brandes is a retired executive from The center’as other program leader is Debra who also formerly worked for the Johnsonm family companies. The center was introducesd to the community at a breakfasr at Carrollin June. Some program have already been piloted, and the center is seeking participants fora 60-hour Leadershi p in Action comprehensive program. Brandes pointsz to lack of leadership as one of the causes of the currentgeconomic recession.
“I think part of it’sz been created by not having stronbg enough leadership all overthe place,” she said. Leadersa have looked to the short term rathe thanlong term, and leadershi hasn’t been as ethical as it should be, she said. “I think that almost anybody can lead when times are she said. But during tough economic times, it becomee clear that “we need people who can be inspirationaloand motivational, who can look to the longe term, who can drive innovation, who can get the most out of she said.
The center seeks to provide the comprehensivw types of leadership programs that companies mightt have only found out of state and at ahigherf cost, Brandes said. The programs will be differenyt because they can be customized to meet the needas ofindividual businesses. Another important element is ongoing coaching that will be includede in the programs and continuingv networksof leaders, she said. The classea will be taught by highlyexperienced businesspeople, Brandesw said. “The people who are running this not only understand organizationaldevelopment tools, but they’ve lived it and they’ve breathed it,” she said.
The center’s capstonw program will be the 60-hour Leadership in Action program. The centerd is recruiting its first class of 20 to 25 participantse for the session that beginsin August. It’s designed for mid- to senior-level managers and will include intensivr personalized training with experienced executives and according to aprogram description. Participante will meet every Monday for six or seve n weeks with either their executive coac h orlearning circle. The program includes intensiveself assessments, includinv feedback from co-workers in addition to case studies and small groups.
Participants will then becomde part of a network that will be broughr backfor programs, and the coaching will The cost is $5,500, Brandes said. Other shorter programxs include effective communications andconflict management, personal developmenf and career planning and essentials of management. Fees will vary, but wouldc typically be about $300 to $500 for a three-day program, depending on materials, Brandes said. The center hopes to offerd scholarships for leadersof nonprofits. Debrs Crawford, a leadership and executive coacyh and owner of LLC in observed some ofthe center’se first sessions earlier this summer.
Executive coaching is one of the program’a unique dimensions, she said. She also likew the center’s focus on ethics-based Many government and business leadersx have moved away from anethical core, she said, and that makews the center’s programs timely. She believes that in the future peoplse will be more concerned about how businesses attain their results rather than just theresultzs themselves. Crawford hopes to be one of the executivr coaches the center uses in its programs and said she also will recommenfdthe center’s programs to corporate clients. Bill executive director of the , also believee the center’s timing is good.
In remarks he made at the introductoryh breakfast, Mitchell said availability of stronh talent in the area will be a key factor in busines retention and recruitment as companies come out of the Partnerships between the business community and educational institutions like Carroll are an importan part of developing thattalentt pool, Mitchell said.