11/21/2016
Be a Leader
- Share This Story
Making the most of leadership development opportunities
The Federation's Young Leadership Division (YLD) will be launching the fifth annual Leadership, Education and Development Series (LEADS) program for 21–45 year olds. For more information, contact Jessie Bruder at jbruder@jcfcleve.org.
Article reprinted with permission from Crain's Cleveland Business.
In a major city like Cleveland, it can be difficult for millennials to plan professional development goals and get their foot in the door of major organizations. Leadership development opportunities are a great way to start – it’s the “yellow brick road” for any ambitious young professional.
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Young Leadership Division flagship program, LEADS (Leadership, Education and Development Series), fosters young adults’ leadership skills as a professional and volunteer through a five-session series with senior community leaders. The federation is a large nonprofit that offers leadership opportunities for young professionals, investing in their skills so they can advance both personally and professionally through leadership training. Learn more here: http://www.jewishcleveland.org/yld
“As a transplant from Dayton, I participated in LEADS to learn how I can make an impact in my adopted city of Cleveland,” said Mandy Kwait, a past LEADS participant, who went on to co-chair the series in 2016. “I was also looking to make new connections and give back to a city that has been so welcoming.”
Many other local organizations are following suit and offering their own leadership development courses for Clevelanders in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Leadership development courses for young professionals are worth it – check out a few reasons why:
Strengthen your leadership skills. Whether you’re an attorney, graphic designer, teacher, or anything in between, a leadership development course is a great way to learn the necessary skills to become a leader in the workplace as well as volunteer capacities. “The more leadership-focused programs I can participate in, the better supervisor and director I can be in my career,” Kwait said.
Network, network, network. This is your chance to make connections with your peers or professionals leading the course. You’ll leave the training with lasting connections that will benefit you in both your personal and professional life. “I met people who I looked up to as a participant. And now as a co-chair of LEADS, I can be a role model for future participants,” Kwait said.
Impact your community. Many leadership development courses offer volunteer opportunities or a day of service, where you can learn about a new charity or cause that can benefit from your time or dollars.
It might be the last thing you want to do on a Monday night after a long day of work, or waking up early on a weekday, but participating in leadership development courses are worth it. Cleveland has so many leadership development opportunities for young professionals – now it’s your time to jump on the bandwagon and join one.
The Federation's Young Leadership Division (YLD) will be launching the fifth annual Leadership, Education and Development Series (LEADS) program for 21–45 year olds. For more information, contact Jessie Bruder at jbruder@jcfcleve.org.
Rebecca Golsky is the manager of communications and public relations at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
