LeaderShape 2015
LeaderShape 2015 was a six-day retreat to Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, IN. The mission of this institute is “to transform the world by increasing the number of people who ‘lead with integrity’ and a healthy disregard for the impossible.”
The University Honors Program selects 60 students each year from a pool of applicants to participate in this eye-opening opportunity—and I happened to be one of them.
While packing my suitcase for LeaderShape 2015, I had no idea what to expect. I had a spinal fusion back surgery less than three weeks prior and was worried about issues and pain. As a “Type A” person who likes to know my schedule, the vague information given about this six-day retreat made me a little nervous for the experience. But I had heard nothing but great reviews from previous participants, so I put aside my anxieties about the week and decided to get on the bus with an open mind.
Needless to say, I would not have traded that week for anything. The name of this institute implies that it is a week-long conference that will be spent discussing effective leadership strategies and how to be a great leader. And though I did learn some valuable things about how to be a great leader, LeaderShape was so much more.
At LeaderShape 2015, I was the happiest I had been in a long time. Every night I spent there, I did not want to go to sleep. I stayed up late every night playing cards, singing karaoke, and getting to know the other participants. If there was some way for me to go back and relive those 144 hours of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat. I would take more pictures. I would write about each day in more detail than I did in my journal.
Going forward, I plan to stay focused on my goals and my “vision” (attached below). I typically lack confidence in my writing. Being asked to write down my goals and post it on the wall on Day Three of LeaderShape for all the other participants to see was nerve-wracking for me. But the feedback given to me by other people increased my faith that I can accomplish my goals.
The friendships and genuine connections I made with other people are difficult for me to even explain in words. I gained confidence in myself and my relationships with others. Through conversation and interaction with the other 59 participants and coordinators/facilitators, I discovered things about myself that I had never realized in the previous 19 years of my life.
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to participate in LeaderShape 2015.
My Vision:
On Day Three, I was asked to create “Tomorrow’s Headlines.” This was essentially an assignment to picture the day when my idea of a more perfect world is achieved.
LeaderShape 2015 was a six-day retreat to Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center in West Harrison, IN. The mission of this institute is “to transform the world by increasing the number of people who ‘lead with integrity’ and a healthy disregard for the impossible.”
The University Honors Program selects 60 students each year from a pool of applicants to participate in this eye-opening opportunity—and I happened to be one of them.
While packing my suitcase for LeaderShape 2015, I had no idea what to expect. I had a spinal fusion back surgery less than three weeks prior and was worried about issues and pain. As a “Type A” person who likes to know my schedule, the vague information given about this six-day retreat made me a little nervous for the experience. But I had heard nothing but great reviews from previous participants, so I put aside my anxieties about the week and decided to get on the bus with an open mind.
Needless to say, I would not have traded that week for anything. The name of this institute implies that it is a week-long conference that will be spent discussing effective leadership strategies and how to be a great leader. And though I did learn some valuable things about how to be a great leader, LeaderShape was so much more.
At LeaderShape 2015, I was the happiest I had been in a long time. Every night I spent there, I did not want to go to sleep. I stayed up late every night playing cards, singing karaoke, and getting to know the other participants. If there was some way for me to go back and relive those 144 hours of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat. I would take more pictures. I would write about each day in more detail than I did in my journal.
Going forward, I plan to stay focused on my goals and my “vision” (attached below). I typically lack confidence in my writing. Being asked to write down my goals and post it on the wall on Day Three of LeaderShape for all the other participants to see was nerve-wracking for me. But the feedback given to me by other people increased my faith that I can accomplish my goals.
The friendships and genuine connections I made with other people are difficult for me to even explain in words. I gained confidence in myself and my relationships with others. Through conversation and interaction with the other 59 participants and coordinators/facilitators, I discovered things about myself that I had never realized in the previous 19 years of my life.
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to participate in LeaderShape 2015.
My Vision:
On Day Three, I was asked to create “Tomorrow’s Headlines.” This was essentially an assignment to picture the day when my idea of a more perfect world is achieved.
Breakthrough Blueprint:
On Day Four, I further developed the steps as to how I will work towards making my vision a reality.
On Day Four, I further developed the steps as to how I will work towards making my vision a reality.