SDARL program graduates and representatives of partner organizations learned and applied an 8-step process for “Leading Courageous Change” in an organization. The inaugural offering of the SDARL Learning Network Series I was presented in Mitchell on October 26.
The session opened with a presentation by Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, on how he implemented strategic change at the pork checkoff program. Even, a member of the SDARL Board of Directors and former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture, discussed and fielded questions from attendees on the process of developing a strategic plan that brings significant change to an organization.
Todd McDonald, President of ATW Training Solutions, then discussed difficulties encountered by leaders who are implementing change, and led participants through the change process based on John Kotter’s book Our Iceberg is Melting. Those attending, working in small groups at times, learned how to define change in a positive context and address it constructively, forecast potential change and the effect it may have on their organization, and develop a plan to be proactive about future change and the opportunities it presents.
The event concluded with an application of change based on the response to Hurricane Katrina, led by SDARL Program Director Jennifer Henrie.
The second session in the first seminar series focuses on “Effective Negotiations.” You can sign up to attend that November 17 seminar in Pierre by clicking HERE.
