Governor's leadership team gives program positive reviews
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The evaluations are in, and Gov. Brad Henry’s cabinet members and several state agency leaders are giving high marks to a four-and-a-half-day program they attended at the Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business in Stillwater.
The State Office of Personnel Management requested the customized program, which the governor approved. It featured management and leadership experts from OSU and the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. According to participants, it was right on target; as one put it: “I’ve been to many leadership and management programs throughout my 18 years with the state, but I can honestly say this one was the Mount Everest of them all. You people have the ‘right stuff.’”
That kind of feedback lets organizers like Julie Weathers know their event has been successful. Weathers is the director of the Executive and Professional Development Center at OSU, which coordinates with the professors to prepare the executive management program.
“This was our first attempt to customize what we’ve been doing annually for corporate business executives into something that would benefit state leaders, and we’re obviously happy with the outcome,” Weathers said.
She attributes the program’s success to the top-notch professors from both universities, who guided participants step-by-step through valuable insights and management tools.
After reviewing the comments on evaluations, Diane Elliott, OSU program coordinator, confirms that’s how the participants see it as well,
“The professors make all the difference.”
Here’s how some of the participants put it: “The faculty were outstanding, and the sessions provided me with invaluable insights and tools I can use to become a more effective leader. “
“The information was excellent but it was the people that made this opportunity great.”
“The professors put together an excellent program that addresses, in a fun and interactive way, those key competencies vital to successful leadership.”
“So many situations and people who used to baffle me were clarified by the collective wisdom of the faculty.”
One of those faculty members is Lee Manzer. The marketing professor has been prominently featured in the executive management program since its establishment. Manzer is not surprised that the program’s latest customization also appeals to government administrators.
“Leadership principles and concepts apply across a myriad of organizational environments,” he said.
Interaction with peers is another benefit of the program that participants really seem to appreciate, as illustrated in this response from one of them: “The program included innovative ideas and practical applications that helped me grapple with leadership issues at my state agency. It was also a great opportunity to interact with other state agency personnel who shared many of the same difficult problems.”
Probably the most interesting comments about the joint program are those that indicate someone learned something about themselves:
“I especially benefited from greater self-awareness in my style and what I can do to enhance my own effectiveness.”
“It was thought-provoking, inspiring, but also made you look at yourself.”
“It is an intense experience that makes directors feel less lonely at the top.”
“Your program has inspired me in so many different ways, both professionally and personally.”
Henry came to Stillwater, thanking the participants for their dedication and commitment to attending the program and learning more about leadership and strategy. Armed with a terrific report card and an overwhelmingly positive response, Weathers predicts this first executive management program for government administrators won’t be the last.