“He’s a born leader.”
You’ve probably heard that, but I think there is something patently untrue about that saying.
Leaders are not born; they’re created.
It takes much work, perseverance, and dedication to become a leader. And, even if you’re in a leadership position, you never quit working on honing your leadership skills.
At the Tourism Leadership Council, I constantly strive to find ways I can be a better leader and train others in my industry to be better leaders.
Across the various industries represented in Savannah, however, there is a leadership program that consistently makes great strides in bringing the community together.
It’s called Leadership Savannah.
This week, I had the opportunity to address the current class. It’s a chamber-sponsored program designed to take people through a rigorous process about the details of this community.
I was there to discuss tourism, and I got to see first-hand the smart, capable people who are getting ready to graduate from this year-long commitment.
These 42 individuals represent several industries in Savannah: tourism, banking, technology and aviation to name a few.
Over the year, they have experienced big growth and have been exposed to a volume of information, resources and viewpoints.
Programs like this are where leaders are created.
Leadership Savannah has been around for more than 50 years and has trained the likes of Charles H. Morris and Mayor Edna Jackson.
This program has also born projects such as the Bandshell at Forsyth Park. The class of 1992-94 took on this project. They spent years working on it and saw it open in 2010.
Not bad for the second oldest leadership program in the country.
So no matter what industry you represent, look around for some of the up and coming leaders in your organization. They may very well benefit from this program or a program like it.
Encourage them to apply.
Only 42 people are chosen each year. There are no automatic admissions, and the class consists of people active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organizations, ethnic and minority groups, and reflect the diversity of the community.
I recently received notification that they are accepting applications for the 2014-15 year.
Margaret Mary Russell, the organizer of Leadership Savannah, said people who go through this class build a bond with one another, making a deep connection across the various industries represented.
I love that.
At the Tourism Leadership Council, I spend a good part of my day trying to find ways we can work together as a community no matter what industry we represent.
So, with each new class of Leadership Savannah, I look forward to coming together in the name of making a positive impact on our city.
Michael Owens is president/CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council. Contact him at michael@tourismleadershipcouncil.com or by calling 912-232-1223.