LEAD Awards 2018: Interview with Susan Martin, Saint Leo University

Developing Leadership Talents

  Category: Best Third-Party Channel Partner / Customer Training Program
  LEAD AWARD RANK: 5
 
  Category: Best Use of a Learning Management System
  LEAD AWARD RANK: 4
 
  Organization: Saint Leo University
  Program: Leadership Saint Leo
  Program Director: Susan Martin
  Visit: www.saintleo.edu
   
Our editorial team interviewed Susan Martin from Saint Leo University at the LEAD2018 Awards this past February. Here are some excerpts from the exclusive interview.
 
What is the overall objective of your program?
The overall objective is to develop the leadership talents of university managers and directors. The program focuses on having the class learn about leadership styles, self-reflect upon themselves and ultimately identify their own leadership style.  The program also serves the purpose of developing strong peer relationships between our managers across the entire university.  After completing the program together, the participants have developed relationships that will help encourage collaboration between the different divisions of the university. 
 

Who do you impact with your program?
Mid-level directors and managers
 
What are the lessons you’ve learned this year from facilitating your program?
For the class of 2017, we opened up the selection process to self-nominations, and it helped us to identify employees who really wanted to be part of the program. By selecting from a group of candidates that self-nominated we have found that it improved the program as everyone selected genuinely wanted to be there and was 100% enthusiastic about being a part of the program. 
 
Using a third-party vendor is an outstanding way to conduct a leadership program.  Our third-party vendor has a healthy relationship with the university and is knowledgeable about our needs.  They partner with our executives to deliver crucial lessons specific to the organization.  In addition, the third party vendor model allows for more open conversations between the participants during the class as the program is not facilitated by other employees of the university. 
 
How do you measure the return on investment and success of the program?
The ROI is measured by following the careers of our graduates. The majority of our graduates move on to higher level management opportunities at Saint Leo or move on to leadership positions at other companies.
 
What lies ahead for the program and how will it continue to succeed?
The Leadership Saint Leo program is considered a prestigious program at our university. We are always looking for ways to improve upon the program.  We request feedback from our participants and our university coaches.  Currently the program serves two very important purposes, helping our leaders identify their leadership point of view and developing relationships with other university leaders. The content in the program really helps our participants to understand their leadership style and gives them the tools they need to be a strong leader.  The experience itself builds a support network of managers across the university who have interacted and formed relationships because of this program. In future years, we look to develop these two aspects as the central focus of the program. We are also examining the ways we can continue to have the program alumni meet in quarterly with our executive staff to discuss current university challenges and brainstorm together on possible resolutions.  This will ensure that we continue to engage the leaders of our university and keep those relationships intact.
 

 

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