How Dave Thomas Went from Star Performer to Inspiring Leader with Practical Leadership Training

When Dave Thomas was first promoted to a leadership role, he faced numerous challenges. Despite having an exemplary track record as a contributor, stepping into a leadership role was a daunting transition. 

"I wasn't very confident because everyone knew this was my first leadership role," admitted Dave. The fear of underperformance and lack of key leadership skills hampered his confidence and ability to perform to the best of his abilities.

In his struggle, Dave recognized that he was unprepared for the challenges of leadership. His preferred hands-on approach did not gel well with the need to delegate and empower others. 

"I've always been a hands-on person and disliked delegating tasks I felt I could do myself," Dave confessed. His role as a mediator presented unique difficulties as well. 

As he described, "It's tempting to tell someone exactly how to complete a task, as that would be quicker. However, I realize it's more beneficial to both parties if I guide them instead." 

In the midst of these leadership trials, Builders Mutual gave Dave the opportunity to enroll in the NextGen Center Foundation for Effective Leadership program. 

"The program was well planned out. Brian, as the facilitator, did an excellent job. The way everyone came together and participated was just mind-blowing. Brian created a safe environment that encouraged open, honest discussions."

Dave developed key leadership skills as he continued his journey through the program. He learned the art of coaching and reflective listening, dramatically shifting his leadership understanding. The course materials were also a critical resource for him. He found the binder so useful that it still remains on his desk.

The transformation in Dave was significant. He confessed, "After the class, I feel much more prepared as a leader." Dave saw improvements not just in his own leadership skills but also in his team's productivity and engagement.

"The team engagement has improved significantly. There's more dialogue among the team members, and they are more likely to share resources with each other rather than always coming to me."

An unexpected yet welcome effect of his growth was the influence on his personal life. Dave found the leadership methods so effective that they seamlessly integrated into his personal problem-solving approach. He shared, "The approach of slowing down, looking at things from all angles, and asking better questions rather than reacting immediately, has proven beneficial at home too."

When asked about his experience with other leadership programs, Dave's reply was clear: "I have taken leadership courses at previous employers, but this one stands out. The focus was always on why the skills were important and how they would benefit both us and our teams," he stated, showcasing the unique value of the NextGen Center Program.

Reflecting on his experience, Dave saw a clear shift in his perception of his company. Despite being a smaller organization, he valued the company's focus on employee development. "The focus on development at Builders sets it apart," Dave praised, "The program not only helped me to enhance my leadership skills but also instilled a positive perception of the company."

Having completed the foundational course, Dave looks forward to continuing his leadership journey and delving deeper into the art of coaching and feedback. When asked about recommending the program, Dave didn't hesitate:

"I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. Don't be afraid to give it your all. Be open and honest because it's the best way to make an impact and bring about change in your work style and approach."

Dave's journey is a testament to the immense value of the NextGen Center program and its potential to transform leadership abilities. The program fosters growth, nurtures new leaders, and contributes positively to an organization's culture, proving to be an invaluable investment in employee growth and development.

Q&A on Dave’s Foundation for Effective Leadership Experience

Could you share your top three takeaways from the NextGen Center program?

Dave: Well, my top takeaways overall are that, firstly, the program was well planned out. Despite four-hour sessions, spacing them out every month really minimized the impact on my other work. It flowed very well, and Brian, as the facilitator, did an excellent job. Secondly, the way everyone came together and participated was just mind-blowing. Brian created a safe environment that encouraged open, honest discussions. Finally, the course materials, particularly the binder, were extremely helpful. It was a great tool for note-taking, and I still keep it on my desk.

How has your understanding of leadership evolved since participating in the program?

Dave: Before I started, I had been a leader for less than six months. While I had some ideas about leadership, I wasn't prepared with the necessary tools. The course has been invaluable in this regard. It taught me practical skills like coaching and reflective listening. After the class, I feel much more prepared as a leader.

What challenges did you face in your job before the program, and how did the program help with these?

Dave: As a new leader, I wasn't very confident because everyone knew this was my first leadership role. I was proficient at my previous job, but I lacked the same level of confidence in my new position. The program really boosted my confidence as a leader and taught me to direct, delegate, and listen effectively.

What's been the experience of transitioning from a high performer in a contributor role to a leadership role? How has the program helped you in sharing knowledge and teaching others more effectively?

Dave: Transitioning has been a learning process. I've always been a hands-on person and disliked delegating tasks I felt I could do myself. The program has helped me balance this and figure out how to help my team. I learned the importance of listening and allowing them to talk out problems and find their own solutions. This helps them become more self-sufficient, and it's something I wouldn't have realized without this course.

Can you elaborate on your role as a mediator and the challenges it presents?

Dave: As a mediator, my role is guiding rather than instructing directly. It's tempting to tell someone exactly how to complete a task, as that would be quicker. However, I realize it's more beneficial to both parties if I guide them instead. When they come to me with questions, instead of merely answering, I encourage them to think it through and propose their own solutions. In this way, they learn and grow.

How has this approach to leadership training affected your professional and personal life?

Dave: Interestingly, I've found that this method has seeped into my personal life as well. The approach of slowing down, looking at things from all angles, and asking better questions rather than reacting immediately has also proven beneficial at home. Now, I approach problems with a more constructive and problem-solving mindset, which leads to more thorough solutions.

Can you give a specific example where you've used a skill from this leadership program?

Dave: One clear example comes from my experience with team meetings. Initially, I noticed that my meetings were more about me talking to my team rather than engaging with them. The program has taught me to ask more open-ended questions to elicit more responses and be a better listener, which keeps the conversation flowing. It's helped to create a more engaging environment, and as a result, I've seen a positive impact on my team's collaboration and engagement.

Have you noticed any changes in productivity or engagement within your team due to this change in approach?

Dave: Absolutely. The team engagement has improved significantly. There's more dialogue among the team members, and they are more likely to share resources with each other rather than always coming to me. Also, I have noticed an increase in their participation in larger meetings, showing increased confidence and meaningful conversations.

How does this leadership development program compare with others you've experienced? What were your initial thoughts on it?

Dave: I have taken leadership courses at previous employers, but this one stands out. In the past, the programs felt more procedural than substantive, more about going through the motions than actual skill development. But at NexGen Center, the focus was always on why the skills were important and how they would benefit both us and our teams. Also, the hands-on practice and practical application made it more engaging. Initially, I thought it was going to be just another HR initiative, but it turned out to be much more substantial, which was a pleasant surprise.

What impact do you think the leadership program has on the company's culture?

Dave: The focus on development at Builders Mutual sets it apart. Despite being a smaller company, the company's interest in helping employees grow and succeed is commendable. They provide opportunities for continuing education credits and encourage personal and professional development. The program not only helped me to enhance my leadership skills but also instilled a positive perception of the company.

Given your initial plunge into leadership, what areas do you want to develop further?

Dave: Without a doubt, I'd definitely take another step in this journey. I am particularly interested in the coaching aspect. Coaching has always felt like a highly involved and time-consuming skill to develop. The art of coaching seems like a sphere where one can continually dig deeper. Feedback is another key area I'd like to develop further, considering its critical role in daily communication and relationships.

How would you evaluate the process of receiving feedback?

Dave: Receiving feedback effectively is indeed an art form and critical to leadership. It doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing deal, and there are practical aspects one can apply day-to-day.

If you were to recommend this leadership program, how would you describe it to a colleague or a friend from another company?

Dave: I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. As cliche, as it sounds, you get out of it what you put into it. The course was impactful because participants were open, honest, and unafraid to share real experiences. So my advice would be, don't be afraid to give it your all. Be open and honest because it's the best way to make an impact and bring about change in your work style and approach.

How do you feel about the value of the program and the company's efforts in people development?

Dave: I genuinely feel that I received immense value from the program. It's commendable for the company to prioritize people development, even though they're relatively smaller in size. This is an excellent practice, and it's inspiring to see this level of commitment toward employee growth.