I look out the window and see trees budding and tulips blooming, signifying springtime in Durango. It marks a time for regrowth and an opportunity to think about developing personally and professionally.
The Durango Chamber of Commerce offers a leadership skills training and community education program called Leadership La Plata. You will broaden your knowledge of La Plata County, further develop leadership skills and build professional relationships that last a lifetime. LLP is structured to meet one full day a month for eight months, plus a two-day retreat to kick off the program.
The Chamber’s leadership program offers training to become a more effective leader. LLP provides insight into social styles based on how people think, act and react. Through this program lead by Phil Bryson, you’ll discover social styles and how to identify your own and those you work with. It helps you understand yourself through the eyes of others, how to modify your actions to better work with others. Having a clear understanding of social styles enhances communication, assessing needs of others and developing productive relationships in the workplace. And it ultimately improves your ability to lead others by leveraging strengths and opportunities.
Another benefit to participating in LLP is the relationships you’ll establish with people in the class. Working in a small group setting, you’ll have in-depth experiences that allow you to develop connections that last and truly matter. During the two-day retreat, I learned so much about myself and others in my class, which started the beginning of an incredible leadership journey. It got me out of my comfort zone in a supportive environment, and I established authentic relationships with my classmates that continue to this day.
When I went through LLP, I thought I knew a lot about the community, region, businesses and nonprofits having lived in Durango for 20-plus years. What I discovered was how much I had yet to learn. The community education component dives into a different topic each month, including arts and culture, business, diversity/regional issues, education, environment, government, health and human services, and public safety/criminal justice and always includes a leadership training component.
For 33 years, LLP has been a pinnacle program of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, graduating more than 500 community leaders. LLP’s Alumni Program continues to foster an influential network of leaders with continuing education and connection opportunities.
I can’t emphasize enough the remarkable experience of LLP and the impact it can have on your personal and professional development. I hope I’ve sparked an interest in this program, and I invite you to visit LeadershipLaPlata.org to learn more. Applications for LLP’s next class are due May 31 and include some essay questions and require two letters of recommendation, with one preferably from an LLP graduate. Do yourself a favor and learn more about LLP, it will be an investment in yourself that you will never forget.
Jack Llewellyn is executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at jack@durangobusiness.org.
