Gerry’s Journey: From Filmmaker to Empowered Leader
Gerry Gibson, a distinguished alumnus of UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts), transitioned from owning a production company to Video Marketing Director at Go Forth Marketing. As someone who captures compelling stories of nonprofits and corporations, Gerry’s learning and development took a transformative turn when he was introduced to the Foundation for Effective Leadership program.
Discovering the Foundation for Effective Leadership Program
Gerry didn’t plan to attend the Foundation for Effective Leadership program. He candidly admits, “I, along with a few other people in leadership positions here, were signed up for the program. Honestly, I knew nothing about it when I showed up.” Skeptical due to his unfamiliarity with leadership development, initially, he questioned whether the program would have anything of value to offer him:
“There's always a mix of optimism and uncertainty. When someone else signs you up, you wonder what you're getting into.”
Unraveling Strengths with CliftonStrengths
Participating in the CliftonStrengths assessment was a revelation for Gerry. While he considered communication his strength, discovering his inherent skills in input and strategy was enlightening. He later mused, “It’s fascinating how we can overlook certain personal traits.”
Reframing Weaknesses
A core tenet of the program is its unique approach to perceived weaknesses. Gerry explains:
“One of the program’s strengths is framing qualities outside of your top five, not as weaknesses but as areas that demand more energy.”
This perspective shift influenced his approach to parenting too, fostering compassion and understanding toward his children’s challenges.
Acquiring New Skills
The program enriched Gerry with pivotal skills, especially active listening. “In the past, I tended to offer solutions when someone was discussing a problem with me, but now I’ve realized the importance of listening actively without always providing an immediate answer.”
Approach to Coaching
Since completing the course, Gerry equates leadership guidance with his experience in coaching soccer. He believes in letting individuals arrive at their own solutions, emphasizing that “people tend to take more ownership of their solutions when they’re actively involved in the problem-solving process.”
Feedback and Structure
Gerry says he finds value in structured approaches, asserting that “having order or ‘guardrails’ in place actually enhances creativity.” He likened this to having specific themes in a school assignment that provide direction amidst constraints.
Integrating Learnings
Gerry has discovered that his newfound knowledge extends beyond the professional sphere. “It has influenced my parenting style and personal goals,” he says. These days, the intentional planning and task reminders he has instituted at home mirror the structured systems he values at work.
Transformative Impact at Work
“The program has improved how I interact with colleagues and leadership,” Gerry remarks. He has even pioneered an in-house communication group, something he hadn’t contemplated before his enrollment in the leadership program.
A Life Enriched
Summing up his experience, Gerry says,
“The course has been transformational, influencing both personal and professional aspects of my life. It has equipped me with tools to manage my time better, interact with others, and set realistic goals that align with my values.”
Want to embark on your transformative leadership journey?
Learn more about the Foundation for Effective Leadership program today. Or, drop us a direct line here.