Leading With Love Program: 2011-2012

Purpose:

The purpose of Leading with Love is to develop consistent and effective lay leaders who can contribute to the achievement of the UUAA vision.

Philosophy and Values:

Leading with Love combines the best from leadership programs in academia and business with the principles and religious perspectives of Unitarian Universalism. To this framework is added the concepts and models from individual development and cultural evolution. The perspectives, knowledge, and skill gained in this program would be helpful to participants in leading themselves, and the social systems in which they are embedded (e.g. family, congregation, community organizations, and organizations).

Methodologies:

The program makes use of multiple teaching methodologies such as: lectures, small group discussions, role plays, experiential methods, surveys and their analysis, readings, visiting leaders and representatives of relevant groups. The methods have been chosen for their effectiveness with regards to the particular topics under consideration.

Structure:

Ideally, the program is planned for 15 participants. It will be held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:30 to 9:00, starting October 6, 2011 and ending in mid-March, 2012. The following describes our class structure.

Class #1 Introductions. Review history and purpose of programs. Describe program segments. Develop a Covenant. Discuss differences between leading and managing. Define "Leadership" and what does it mean to "Lead with Love".

Class #2 Present the Spiral Dynamics Model. Present personal development stories. Describe the Class Culture Profile. Spiral Dynamics© is an assessment tool which examines belief systems and behavioral patterns that enable us to integrate and align organizational systems and individual lives resulting in change and transformation.

Class #3 Panel from the Ministers, Board and Lay Leaders. They will describe their role; discuss what they are trying to achieve; review the End Statements; and present opportunities for Leadership participants to become involved in congregational projects.

Class #4 Brainstorm projects. Identify areas of interest in which participants would like to do a project. Do "Discern Your Calling Exercise" Provide theoretical frameworks for organizations. Develop project teams.

Class #5 Present some change formulas; Describe Initial analysis of Target Systems using a Systems Model; Change Formulas; Discussion of "Serving with Grace - Lay Leadership as a Spiritual Practice."

Class #6 Preparing for Client and Sponsor Contact; Share System Descriptions in Teams. Contracting, diagnosis, goal setting and planning with client.

Class #7 Team Building; roles people play in teams; diagnosing and fixing dysfunctional teams. Team Exercise

Class #8 Project Updates. Examining the Team Process. Growing a Beloved Community - 12 Hallmarks of a Healthy Congregation.

Class #9 Giving Feedback, Fishbowl; Managing Conflict. Refreezing - moving toward closure with client.

Class #10 Project Presentations, Graduation.

Testimonials:

"Leading With Love gave me a chance to assess and nurture leadership skills and at the same time build rich and productive relationships with other members of the class. As an experiential part of the class each participant was asked to complete a project in an area of their interest. Three of us worked together to develop a new leadership team structure for Interweave. It's been implemented and has been very successful in building a sense of team and sharing the work of leadership among many people so that no one is overwhelmed. And, we're able to develop as a group in new and important ways."

Joan Burleigh, UUAA Trustee at Large and Pastoral Care Leadership Council member

"I felt that the skills and techniques learned in Leading with Love were invaluable for any type of leadership - in the church, in the wider community, or even in business. Bruce and Ann have taken basic leadership development and organizational psychology concepts and approached them from the perspective of our UU principles. Prior to this class my experience surrounding any sort of leadership skill building was from a business/corporate perspective, and I always felt that it was missing an important component to real leadership. I did have concerns about the time commitment necessary to participate in the class, but I truly found it worthwhile and always felt energized and excited after each session. Bruce and Ann opened my eyes to see how we can apply our principles in the wider world to (hopefully) make an impact as a leader both from within the congregation and outside it."

Allison Halerz, UUAA Leadership Development Team member and Pianist in Residence

If you are interested in participating in this year's class, please send a short email with your contact information to
Kathy Edgren: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 734-424-3019.