This year, my colleague Olivia Hill and I have been given the opportunity to participate in Leadership Niagara and Leadership Buffalo, respectively.
For the duration of our programs, we will be writing a monthly blog series about our experiences. Our programs cover topics important to Western New York and provide a peak behind the curtain to the community we love so much. We're lucky to be joined by representatives from many of our investors and partner companies, each working to improve our region.
Over the past few weeks, both Olivia and I started on our journey with a weekend retreat. Below are some takeaways to the start of what is sure to be an awesome year.
Olivia Hill:
As the regional economic development agency, interacting and understanding the different counties within our territory is a vital aspect of our organization. Leadership Niagara will afford me the opportunity to learn more about Niagara County, interact with valuable partners in the area, and understand the strengths and struggles of the community.
A few weeks ago, I attended the first session of this year’s program: an overnight in Niagara Falls. We spent the time learning our personality types, discussing our goals for the program, and getting to know each other. I am so thrilled to be in a group of awesome, accomplished professionals and I hope I can absorb some of their great knowledge and expertise throughout this year.
I can’t wait to dive deeper into the day sessions and experience all this year has in store.
Greg Pokriki
Our first weekend retreat was at Beaver Hollow in Java, New York. The weekend had plenty of important lessons and fun packed together. We got out of our comfort zones, discussed DiSC assessments and their relation to leadership styles, and walked blindfolded across the snowy campus using only the vocal directions of our partners.
My favorite takeaway was a presentation on servant leadership. Throughout the presentation we attempted to define what leadership means. My favorite quote presented came from President Dwight Eisenhower.
“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
I hope throughout the year to grow my leadership skills and look forward to helping Make Buffalo Better.
