New NMF LeaderImpact Program Open for Registration

BEMIDJI, MN – June 26, 2008 – Are you seeking ways to lead and find success in business, community and life? The new NMF LeaderImpact training will help you to become better at what you do.

Your participation will help develop skills in four key competency areas: discovering and developing your strengths, communicating effectively, developing a team of people and navigating complex situations.

You will learn these skills by participating in two transformational leadership retreat experiences, separated by twelve weeks of an integrated Action Learning Lab.

The first session takes place September 10-12, 2008 and will be held in Thief River Falls at the Swenson House on the campus of Northland Community and Technical College, with the second session held on December 4 - 5 at the same site. Participants commit to attending both sessions.

Applications must be received by August 8th and a fee of $100 is required with the completed application, which counts toward tuition. Contact the NMF office at 218-759-2057 or 800-659-7859 for fee information and an application or visit the web site www.nwmf.org – click the events and workshops tab for links to a downloadable form and more information.

This program uses self-awareness tools and activities to enhance leadership capabilities. NMF Training Specialist Jane McKelvy said, "You will learn strategies for continuous development through extensive assessment, group discussions, self-reflection, small group activities and personal coaching. And because of our strong focus on assimilation of learning, which ties program experiences to the context of your workplace," she added, "your program will be uniquely about you to carry forward the learning that happens back in the world from which you have come."

Does it work? Recent pilot participants describe LeaderImpact as the one experience that has changed them the most, both personally and professionally.

People from a wide range of backgrounds and different types of responsibility have participated. One was Kim Murphy, Thief River Falls Chief of Police who said, "This is something that traditionally I never would have done. It was very worthwhile."

Ann Beck, NMF board member and community education director for Bagley Public Schools said that LeaderImpact training has directly had an effect on her life. "It has helped me to focus on what I really enjoy doing and what I’m good at doing," she said. "I am better able to recognize my strengths and have the confidence to state it clearly to others. LeaderImpact and the follow up helped me to feel very confident to change the things in my life that I’ve needed and wanted to change."

Another participant was Steve Muzzy, controller of Central Boiler in Greenbush. "This training is on the leading edge of what is available out there," said Muzzy. "It fully covered a wide gamut of topics and was structured to get the most out of the time required. The 2-1/2 day session covered ten times what is usually done in a one-day class. This makes really good use of time for participants and the trainers."

McKelvy said that to participate, there is an application process that requires two references and some important prerequisites, such as being able to be open to different perspectives and experiences, and have a strong understanding of the need for change.

For more information, call Jane McKelvy by telephone at 218-759-2057 in Bemidji or 800-659-7859 or by e-mail janem@nwmf.org.