Top 4 Reasons to Participate in a Leadership Development Academy
At Clickstop, we believe in the power of leadership development, and Mike Ferguson’s experience in the Kirkwood Leadership Development Academy this Spring illustrates why programs like this are worth considering.
Here’s a little bit about Mike before we dive in!
- Mike has been with Clickstop since November 2022 as a member of our US Cargo Control Inside Sales and Service team
- His current role is that of Inside Sales Specialist where he identifies customer needs, drives sales growth and profitability, and provides exceptional customer experiences through expert product knowledge and stellar communication.
Top 4 Reasons
1. Personal and Professional Growth
Mike was motivated to join the Academy by his manager, Estelle, who saw it as a great opportunity to further his education and acquire new leadership skills. This program is designed to help you grow personally and professionally, building on your strengths and preparing you for future leadership roles. While not currently in a leadership role, Mike has held them before Clickstop and gets energy from leading people to success.
2. Engaging and Interactive Sessions
The Kirkwood Leadership Development Academy includes eight sessions, each lasting four hours, and held every two weeks. What makes this academy special is having a different teacher for each session while also having a single facilitator who helps tie everything together. The format keeps the content fresh and engaging. Mike appreciated how each instructor brought their own energy and passion, making every session interactive and impactful.
3. Real-time Learning & Practice Application
Participants in the academy discuss real-time issues and scenarios, drawing upon their own experiences. Although Mike isn’t in a leadership role currently, he found it valuable to participate and share insights from his previous positions. This real-world application makes the learning immediately relevant and practical. Even as he seeks to be an informal leader with his peers, he has had the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the academy.
“The only thing that surprised me was that most of the other people in the class were already in a position of leadership in their current roles. The class was designed to further grow leadership qualities and scenarios. I also thought it was really cool that Clickstop sends people to this that are NOT in a leadership position but who are looking to get into leadership.”
– Mike Ferguson
4. Continuous Learning Journey
Similar to Clickstopper, Tayler Rajtora who was in Mike’s Academy cohort, one of the most significant insights Mike gained was that leadership is an ongoing journey. The academy taught him that no one has it all figured out, and there’s always room for growth and improvement. This mindset is both validating and motivating for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills.
I am continuing to work on the skills that were presented in the program. There was a lot of material and learnings over the entirety of the course. Even though I am not currently a formal leader, I can utilize what I have learned in an informal capacity with my team and other peers at Clickstop.
– Mike Ferguson
Participating in programs like Kirkwood’s Leadership Development Academy offers a wealth of benefits, from personal growth to practical skills application. As Mike and Tayler’s experiences show, it’s an opportunity to learn, share, and grow in ways that will have a lasting impact on your career and your team.
At Clickstop, we believe our people are our greatest asset, and investing in their development is key to our success. By supporting individuals like Mike who aspire to be leaders formally and informally, we not only help them achieve their personal and professional goals but also strengthen our leadership pipeline. This ensures a bright future for our team members and our company.