New EmBe leadership programs for women focus on transitions, growth

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

No matter what stage women are at in their professional or personal development, there’s now a programming track at EmBe to meet their needs.

“We’re providing options that we haven’t been able to offer in the past,” said Melissa Hiatt, EmBe director of women’s leadership.

“These programs may be someone’s first and only entry into EmBe, or it may be the start of a relationship we can build upon.”

EmBe’s longstanding classic Women’s Leadership Program – now called Leading Me – begins this month with a full spring cohort.

Leading With

Additionally, women can consider the Leading With program, which is a six-month offering that begins with an all-day retreat where participants will explore anxiety and power within their family systems.

The remaining five sessions are designed to help participants explore how they interact with others, understand behaviors that trigger them and pull them out of their leadership integrity, gain tools for greater effectiveness in leading others and find joy as they authentically lead.

“We’re about to offer our second cohort as the first one finishes up in May, and there are still available spots,” Hiatt said.

“People often ask if attendance in Leading Me is required. While it’s not, I think having gone through another leadership program or been having done some self-exploration work would be helpful before beginning this program, but it’s not required.”

That was the case for Jenny Lockhart, the account services director at marketing firm 9 Clouds, who signed up after completing a previous EmBe leadership program.

“Melissa — and EmBe — definitely exceeded my expectations,” she said.

“The Leading With program helped me see how my behavior impacts my team, figure out where those behaviors came from and how to let go of the things I can’t change. The lessons we’ve learned through guided facilitation and genuine conversation are strengthening my leadership skills, and the group of women I’m in the program with have been an amazing support.”

Leading With is designed for individuals with at least five years of professional management experience.

Participants will:

• Examine power and anxiety in their family systems through the use of a genogram.
• Evaluate patterns of behavior in their leadership and determine if they are helpful or need to be changed.
• Wrestle with what they can and cannot control in leadership and life.

Lisa Leuning, Avera Health director of marketing, strategy and product growth, calls the program “an amazing journey” that has benefited her personally and professionally.

“The process of self-reflection and growth has allowed me to examine my leadership behaviors and identify areas for improvement,” she said.

“This group of inspiring women has provided a safe and supportive environment for us to explore our cultural values, strengths, anxieties and leadership styles. We’ve been encouraged to challenge ourselves, wrestle with difficult questions and embrace vulnerability as a catalyst for growth.”

She has found value in the program’s emphasis on finding joy and authenticity in leadership, she said.

“By examining what we can and cannot control in both leadership and life, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of myself and my impact on others,” Leuning said. “I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking to elevate their leadership skills and make a positive impact in their personal and professional lives.”

Carmen Kock, data specialist with South Dakota Public Broadcasting, also found it a valuable professional and personal experience.

“The curriculum has helped me understand my own patterns of behavior and thinking, and how these inform how I show up at work, in relationships and in my community,” she said. “Melissa’s ability to lead our group through meaningful content in a way that leads to insight and connection with our cohort is masterful. And the women I’ve gotten to know are the greatest treasure!”

The deadline to apply for the cohort starting in May is April 16. To learn more, click here.

Leading Wise

For women at other life stages, EmBe’s new Leading Wise program could be an ideal fit.

A variety of Leading Wise courses will meet weekly for four to six weeks depending on the class. “These classes will be skill-based and address the needs of the women in our community,” Hiatt said.

The first Leading Wise course debuts March 20 and runs weekly through April 24. This session will focus on Leading Wise While Navigating Life Transitions.

Lynn Gillette of Lynn Gillette Life Coaching will facilitate the program, which is geared toward any woman going through life transitions such as empty-nesting, retirement, marriage, divorce, career move, relocation, blending families, life-changing health conditions, foster parenting or death of a loved one.

“Some of those are transitions we choose and others just happen to us, but Lynn has a thought-process model that helps people navigate the transition in a healthier way,” Hiatt said.

Additional Leading Wise programs will cover topics such as learning how to dream again, reducing codependency and becoming a more resilient parent.

“We’re very excited to begin offering these programs,” Hiatt said. “There will be so many new ways for women to participate.”

To learn more about Leading Wise, click here.