Category: Coaches’ Corner

How long have you been a GLSLP coach? 5 years.

What inspired you to become a GLSLP coach?
I was referred by a colleague that explained the goals of the program. These goals aligned with my philosophy of developing young leaders and empowering them to seek higher education away from home, then returning home to lead. This program gives rural youth a head start in the professional world.

What learning objective or activity utilized at conferences (i.e. DAC, Values Explorer, etc.) do you think is most beneficial to the scholars?
Two of the most beneficial components of the scholars’ training are the Direction, Alignment, Commitment (DAC) leadership model and the re-training of mindsets. Leadership development encourages these youths to have structure and purpose in their duties and presents methods to enhance people to follow them. The mindset model allows for scholars to retrain their thinking in a way that is positive and beneficial versus the proverbial entitled or defeatist mentality.

What is something you may have learned at conferences that has been particularly useful in your day-to-day life? Having a growth mindset has gained relevance in my everyday professional life. It has broken barriers of complacency and helped maintain a positive outlook at the end of my longer days.

Where do you hope to see the scholars in your coaching group five years from now? I hope my scholars enjoy impactful and fulfilling careers. Lucrative jobs are a goal for everyone, but the jobs that benefit the communities they grew up in are the most fulfilling. This allows for those that are like them and people around them to grow upon the success that they have accomplished.

How long have you been a GLSLP coach? 5 years.

What inspired you to become a GLSLP coach? I am an educator and have worked with students ranging in ages from K to college age for years. I really enjoy that the program allows me to use my skills as an educator but also allows me the opportunity to grow as a coach and a leader. The program has taught me to be a better mentor to interns at my job and has made me a better leader in my department. I continue to coach because I feel that each year I become better and learn from the scholars.

What learning objective or activity utilized at conferences (i.e. DAC, Values Explorer, etc.) do you think is most beneficial to the scholars?I believe the Freshmen year conference where they learn about leading with self is very valuable. Learning about your personality and how you may respond to different situations. Learning about careers that may be best based upon your personality. Also appreciate that students learning that being an introvert does not mean you are afraid or incapable of leading and public speaking. Being an introvert just means you get your energy from your “downtime” not from being surrounded by people. It is also important for scholars to learn how to lead, through direction, alignment and commitment.

What is something you may have learned at conferences that has been particularly useful in your day-to-day life? I love and often share with friends and colleagues that feedback is a gift. It can be delivered in a way that is meant to open us up to our blind side so we can learn from the feedback. Delivering feedback can be short and simple and not involve emotion, state the situation, the behavior and its impact on you.

Where do you hope to see the scholars in your coaching group five years from now? I hope to see Haley working as a second grade teacher at a school in her home county, Austin opening up his own environmental consulting firm, and Adam graduating from PA school and eventually working in a hospital.