Extraordinary Leadership Seminars
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Our nation’s leadership is in crisis.
Ministers, priests and rabbis are resigning in record numbers. Many reach only a fraction of their potential. A large percentage burn out shortly after leaving seminary. Front pages of any newspaper are replete with examples of low level leadership stories.
Churches and synagogues are stuck in patterns of emotional intensity and ineffectiveness. Denominations are shrinking. Government, academia, business--many are ensnared in the whirlwinds of emotional process. In most cases, the leadership, with coaching, can lead them out of this.
What is the problem?
Nothing in the training of clergy and other leaders prepares them to understand or deal with the emotional side of congregations or organizations.
Extraordinary Leadership Can Be Learned
Extraordinary Leadership Seminars provide clergy and all leaders with an understanding of the emotional side of organizations and tools to manage themselves in this emotional chaos. Extraordinary Leadership Seminars are based on Bowen family systems theory, developed by Dr. Murray Bowen. While begun for clergy leadership, others are taking advantage of the seminars in increasing numbers. The seminars offer didactic teaching and group, and individual coaching.
The seminars have been extremely effective in helping people to understand and move effectively in their personal, family, and organizational systems.
The Extraordinary Leadership Seminar is designed to be somewhat different every year through a 3-year cycle. The basics of theory are reinforced each year.
Year I, called "Extraordinary Leadership," is about leadership as seen through the lens of Bowen family systems theory. It emphasizes the need for exploration and working on self in one's own family as a basic step toward effective leadership. The leaders of the nuclear family, parents are a good paradigm for leadership in an organization. One does not need to be a parent in order to understand what is involved.
The texts for this year are, "Extraordinary Leadership, Thinking Systems, Making a Difference," by Dr. Gilbert and Bowen's book, "Family Therapy in Clinical Practice."
Year II, "The Eight Concepts of Bowen Theory for Leaders," highlights each of the eight concepts in turn, as they derive from the most basic of them, the nuclear family as an emotional unit. As leaders gain facility with the concepts of the theory, they begin to put them into practice in their families and organizations. The texts for the year are Dr. Gilbert's "The Eight Concepts of Bowen Theory," and Bowen's "Family Therapy in Clinical Practice."
Year III is "Differentiation of Self in Leadership." One of the most important of all the concepts of Bowen family systems theory, Differentiation of Self is considered over this year. Questions such as "How do we describe the best kind of leadership?" and "How do we move toward that type of leadership?" along iwth many others, are considered. Texts for the year are: "The Cornerstone Concept, in Leadership in Life." as well as Dr. Bowen's "Family Therapy in Clinical Practice."
As people gain familiarity with theory and apply it in their lives, overall functioning improves in leadership and in personal life. The program is designed to meet individual needs. One may stay in the program as long as desired. A minimum commitment of three years is strongly recommended but each year is designed to stand alone in case three years cannot be completed. It is not necessary to take the years in any particular order.
The training includes nine lecture sessions and coaching group sessions as well as five individual coaching sessions in person or on the phone with one's small group coach.
Oft-Heard Participants Comments:
“The work in family systems theory has given me hope of staying on as a pastor.”
“Thank you for opening the door to a new way of being in the world.”
“My congregation is a different congregation. Chaos and bickering has disappeared and people are positively engaged in different ministries."
"A life changing seminar."
“In thirty years of ministry, this is the most valuable continuing education I have ever taken.”
Key Concepts:
• High level versus low level leadership
• Putting theory into practice
• The importance of the heritage of an organization and family
• The transforming effect of living system theory
• The challenges of society
• Leaders as relationship masters
Typical Situations Brought to Coaching:
• The non-functioning congregation or leader
• The stirred-up, anxious congregation or leader
• The conflicted organization or leader
• The “Clergy-Killer” phenomenon
• Family disruptions and disturbances
• How our own family experience and current situations impact leadership
Training Based on Bowen Family Systems Theory
Extraordinary Leadership Seminars offer individual and group coaching to church leaders, clergy, lay leaders and non-clergy leaders. This training is derived from Bowen family systems theory, shown to be most effective in helping people understand family, personal, and organizational systems.
Understanding and using Bowen theory leads to improved individual functioning and leadership effectiveness in the important relationship systems of life.
The Seminars Are Not:
• A Quick Fix
• Glitzy
• Superficial
Extraordinary Leadership Seminar for Clergy is Designed to:
• Enhance Sureness
• Promote New Ways of Thinking About Management
• Improve Counseling Skills
• Enhance Leadership Potential Within Congregations and Organizations
See Frequently Asked Questions or register now.
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