Leadership Quest
Consider a native Richmonder, age – mid-fifties, working in finance. Consider a college professor, age - early thirties, who moved to Richmond in the past five years. Consider a retail manager, age – twenties, who moved to Richmond in the past 18 months.
What would these individuals have in common? Answer: all are inspired to move from passionate citizen to servant leader. SERVICE BEYOND LEADERSHIP.
Leadership Quest brings individuals such as these three people together, equipping them to act on their commitment to the Richmond region.
Leadership Quest, LMR’s flagship program, equips these diverse leaders by enhancing their capacities for community-wide leadership, such as a willingness to serve others, comfort with diversity, and negotiating sometimes deep differences; by providing them a thorough knowledge of regional issues; by facilitating a forum in which they can learn from one another’s expertise; and by introducing them to methods of community engagement, which they can use after the Leadership Quest experience.
Leadership Quest follows a nationally recognized model for engaging accomplished adults in a process of experiential learning, the goal of which is to enhance the Richmond region’s base of informed, energized community leaders.
Through the Leadership Quest experience, participants recognize connections between the styles of leadership exercised at work, and those styles necessary for strengthening communities outside of work. Perhaps more importantly, through the Quest experience, participants build interpersonal relationships, and practice collaborating with one another, leaving the program inspired for greater levels of community engagement. Participants may also connect with new leadership opportunities, such as participation on boards and regional commissions.
Leadership Quest Learning Objectives
- Become more knowledgeable about the Richmond region and be aware of prominent issues facing the region.
- Enhance ability to see the issues through a variety of lenses and formulate strategies that incorporate those lenses.
- Gain a better understanding of themselves and the appreciation for competencies required for community-wide leadership, such as the willingness to serve others and the ability to facilitate change.
- Formulate individual leadership strategy plans – the goal is for each participant to take his or her leadership to the “next” level.
Program Structure
Leadership Quest consists of nine, daylong seminars (October-June) and an opening, over-night retreat (in September).
The seminars involve conversations with guest experts (including local officials); site visits; and experiential learning activities to enhance participants’ knowledge of the region and personal leadership competencies.
The seminars take place at different facilities throughout the Richmond region, such as local firms, colleges, and non-profits.