Testimonials

"My experience in the Supervisory Candidate Development Program was and is priceless. This program has helped me learn to deal with adversity in all forms, types, and levels. I say "is" because I still use some of the principles today in my new position. I was recently promoted and I know that the coaching I received helped me to make it to another level."
R. M., Reporting Analyst

"I was presented with the opportunity to be coached in the Gateways to Leadership™ program as a professional with high potential for leadership.  I was honored to have been given that opportunity and I considered myself privileged for having been selected.  I felt my employer thought highly enough of me to be willing to make the investment for my development.

The areas I chose to focus during my coaching program were Delegation and Communications.  My supervisor also approved these focus areas. 

In the area of Delegation, since I was not officially a supervisor, it all boiled down to finding ways to have influence and get coworkers to do certain things without having a formal authority as a supervisor.  I learned ways to be influential and respected by my colleagues and for the first time I appreciated that leadership is not only acquired through titles.  I saw the value of setting examples by my action and speaking my mind although it may have been different from the group.  I also learned to always look for the things that motivated others as opposed to having my agenda first.

In the area of Communications, I wanted to work on my impact on others.  At that time I was required to give quality feedback to coworkers about their performance on the phone with customers.  I had been given feedback that my presence often times intimidated people.

With the help of my coach, I worked on several fronts.  First, I needed to be aware and look out for signs as to how others may be impacted when I approached them.  Secondly, we brainstormed strategies that would put others at ease.  For example, when talking to someone I found ways to sit down.  That alone made things so much different, by just eliminating the height difference.  I also learned to ask questions in a softer way that not only was not threatening to others but also made them think on their own, rather than be intimated by me or my feedback.

These techniques were extremely important for me to have the tools to develop my leadership.  They not only made me more effective at the work place but also in my civic life.  I now hold office in a professional society (the first ever African American to hold this responsible position).  I was also asked by my church to act as mentor in my community, preventing the active recruitment of younger people by violent gangs.  And – to top it all – I was asked by the Mayor in my town to lead an initiative for Economic Development.

I feel honored by all these opportunities to exercise leadership.  I am convinced that the coaching program Gateways to Leadership gave me significant tools and resources to grow as a leader, both in my professional and my personal life.  In that vein, I would totally endorse the program as a leadership development resource for people who want to make a difference in their career, family and community where they live."
A. M., Senior Investigations Analyst