The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County is pleased to offer Professional Leadership Academy, an immersive experience for individuals desiring to enhance their personal leadership capabilities with likeminded professionals in Etowah County. The Chamber has made a commitment to the quality of Etowah County’s future. We are pleased to offer this as a part of Elevate Etowah Society, the premier local program for establishing, training, and supporting a network of aware and knowledgeable citizens ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing community.
Professionals looking to elevate their performance
Leaders looking to enhance core leadership & management competencies
Managers looking to build higher levels of engagement within their team
Locals looking to strengthen their network with others in the community
WHY SHOULD I REGISTER? Whether you chose to work here to live, work or just play in Etowah County, you’ve made a conscious choice to do so thanks to the incredible quality of life and opportunities that are afforded you here. However, as with any great place, there are underlying issues that we can all learn more about with the goal of coming together around solutions. At The Chamber we believe in creating change and supporting innovation and that it will begin with a firm commitment to seriously analyze our challenges and to identify, educate, train, and support our business leaders to shed a light on those issues. We are making the commitment develop the intelligent, creative and energetic local leadership network that is essential for the community to achieve its full potential.
PROGRAM DETAILS The Professional Leadership Academy brings together an elite set of 12 professionals from around Etowah County serving the community. The program is intended to help participants develop strong values-based leadership skills, create a broad network of confidants, as well as build trust and consistency between agencies. The program is a framework that employs a continuous process that is always cycling and looping back. It is a flow from inside reflection to outside action with relationships as a constant backdrop. It is developed through a thoughtful process that helps people discover a deeper sense of themselves, their values, their beliefs, and their purpose. The thinking is fostered by a set of universal leadership principles and leading practices organized around character development, skillful actions and relationship building. A significant premise is that leadership engages us in other people’s lives, and before inserting ourselves, all of us should know how to lead our own lives first. Each participant will have the opportunity to earn a Community Leadership Certificate by completing 5 courses throughout the session.SCHEDULE
All classes will meet in the Board Room of The Chamber at One Commerce Square, from 7:45 am until 1 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served each day. All courses must be attended to receive a certificate of completion.
January 24, 2024 Foundational Leadership Principals and Practices
February 28, 2024 Foundational Leadership Principals and Practices, continued
March 27, 2024 Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Styles
April 24, 2024 Personal and Professional Communication and Teamwork
May 22, 2024 People Management, Relationship Building, Problem-Solving & Case Study Team Assignment, graduation
Deadline for Applications is Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Members: $1000 members
General Public: $1500 public
CURRICULUM OUTLINE The following are the core leadership curriculum components that will be in The Gadsden Etowah County Chamber Professional Leadership Academy sessions.
Why Should Leaders and Organizations Focus on Emotional Intelligence
Attributes of a Leader with High Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence Assessment Test
How Do You Improve Your Soft Skills
Exercises to Master Emotional Intelligence
The Five Levels of Leadership
7 Leadership Styles - Description, Pros & Cons
APRIL 24, 2024 Session 4. - Principles and Practices of Personal and Professional COMMUNICATION & TEAMWORK
5 Communication Connecting Principles
5 Communication Connecting Practices
Communication Practical Tips
Practicing Good Communication Relationship Building
Leadership Communication In Practice
Principles and Practices of Personal and Professional TEAMWORK
The Law of Significance
The Law of the Big Picture
The Law of the Niche
The Law of Mount Everest
The Law of the Chain
The Law of Countability
Qualities of a Great Team
MAY 22, 2024 Session 5. - People Management, Relationship Building, Problem-Solving, & Case Study Team Assignment
Why Are Strong Relationships Essential to Business and Career Success?
What Are Essential Traits of Strong and Meaningful Relationships?
Ways to Build Positive Relationships
Conflict Resolution
Difficult Employees
At the conclusion of Session 5, pre-assigned groups will present presentations and participate in a graduation ceremony. DAVID FINCHUM BIOGRAPHY “Build leaders that leave a lasting leadership legacy,” that’s the passionate personal mission that drives David Finchum. Expanding and advancing leaders across the US and beyond for more 32 years, David Finchum has been recognized as an Executive Director for The John Maxwell team. He has consistently been sought after by top executives in industries such as grocery, retail, insurance, medical rehab, commercial remodeling, construction and more, to have the professional skills tools necessary to excel their business and life! David lives by his statement that “When you invest in yourself - you’re investing in the future lives you will impact along the way. You can’t put a value on personal and professional integrity. Anyone can tear people down, it takes a servant leader to build them up.” Living this mission has brought him wide-spread recognition as a corporate coach, trainer and motivational conference speaker. President & Owner of Finchum Consulting and as a servant leader, David's forward-thinking business approach has helped successfully launch many business and leadership development programs, including the first ever national Live2Lead simulcast in Lima, Ohio. David’s vision and unwavering dedication to these programs continue to cultivate, transform and build legacy leaders around the country.