The Organizational Resource Development (ORD) department of CU*Answers completed its pilot “Good-to-Great” Leadership Development Program. On September 10, President and COO Geoff Johnson acted as a guest speaker and joined the twenty participants consisting of vice presidents and assistant vice presidents. In this final class, Johnson asked the participants about how their view of leadership had changed as a result of the classes, and the methods they’ll use to incorporate these concepts into their day-to-day management practices.

The program consisted of ten 90-minute classes, each covering a specific leadership subject by examining the high-level concepts, then adding detail based on the CU*Answers culture. Each class also includes video interviews by members of the Executive Council to emphasize these concepts, and between-class “homework”. Subjects of the classes include effective communication, coaching, conflict resolution and staff empowerment.

Johnson viewed the program as an important piece of the ongoing employee development at CU*Answers. “CU*Answers has always been focused on the leadership development and educational opportunities we offer all our employees – from internal classes like the REACH (Resources for Employee Achievement) program to external training as well as college tuition reimbursement. The Leadership Development Program is another essential building block for our future.”

The second set of classes will begin in January 2020 and include other managers from around the company. The classes are being facilitated by Michael Cirivello, HR Generalist, and Amber Overla, Vice President of ORD.