Formation Collaborative hosts three-part summer leadership series for staff
This summer, Belmont staff stepped away from their usual routines to invest in personal and professional growth across three months of meaningful development.
Through the first-ever Summer of Seminars — hosted by Belmont’s Formation Collaborative — colleagues came together for engaging, reflective workshops centered on leading self, leading others and leading impact.
Designed for staff at all levels, each session equipped participants with practical tools and reflective practices to better understand themselves, build stronger teams and amplify their impact in the workplace
Workshop #1: Leading SELF
Character & Professional Presence
Facilitated by Jeremy Fyke, Formation Collaborative
The first workshop provided participants a chance to look inwardly at their personal character development. Fyke led the workshop by asking participants to consider the question: Who am I becoming while I’m busy doing?
In the 90-minute session, the group worked on understanding and developing character virtues through the Virtues in Action (VIA) Strengths Assessment. They also practiced self-reflection and sought new ways to grow.
Workshop #2: Leading OTHERS
Crucial Conversations
Facilitated by Essence Collins, The HUB
Building on the foundation of leading self, the second workshop invited participants to take a deeper look at their roles in leading others. Collins led the group through Unlikely Friends, an immersive experience that builds empathy and community through honest conversation. Each person was encouraged to examine how their own implicit biases factor into the way they interact, relate to and lead others.
Workshop #3: Leading IMPACT
Leading from Any Seat
Facilitated by Larkin Briley, Office of the President
Briley outlined three frameworks: systems thinking, scenario planning and design thinking. To underscore the idea that strategic thinking is a habit and not a title, participants practiced applying these frameworks to real problems, highlighting the need for strategic thinking in various roles and departments.
“I think that learning can and should be fun. If you can enjoy what you're learning and apply it to your work, I think that's a win.“We saw the Summer of Seminars as a fun way to kick off and introduce some of our work in employee leadership development. This is only the very beginning.”
Catch up on more stories from the Office of Formation & Leadership Development