Unlike many leadership development programs that may leave you feeling underwhelmed, our program stands out for two key reasons. First, our curriculum is uniquely shaped by the collective goals of our participants themselves – yes, you read that right! This ensures that topics are not only relevant but directly tailored to the needs of our members.
Secondly, a significant portion of our program is dedicated to our Think Tank sessions. Here, we tackle just-in-time issues that members are currently facing, offering immediate support and guidance. This proactive approach aims to inspire you, steer you away from potential missteps, and empower you to resolve pressing challenges effectively and efficiently.
In essence, our program is not just about learning – it's about actionable insights, real-time problem-solving, and tangible results that propel your leadership journey forward. And it's not a beta program! It has proven results with career services leaders even re-enrolling because they are finding great value in this program.
The Accelerator has two parts to it: the Core monthly meetings and the Ask Me Anything sessions.
Core meetings take place once/month for 90 minutes on a regularly scheduled day of the month. The meeting opens with a check in with members, a brief leadership development presentation followed by a discussion, and the remaining time is spent in the Think Tank, where Accelerators bring real-time issues they'd like help thinking through or resolving. There is little prep required for this meeting.
Ask Me Anything session is an optional, 60-minute meeting, that takes place at different times each month. These meetings are largely driven by topics brought by members for discussion, and alternatively, Rebekah may bring a hot topic to discuss as a group.
Meetings are informal and are facilitated by Rebekah.
So glad you asked! Reviewing the topics alone, you can see how this program is unlike your typical professional development program.
Topics are heavily curated by the participants. Sample leadership development topics include:
Real-time challenges or issues brought by individuals for collective problem-solving in the Think Tank include:
Members appreciate the ability to talk about real challenges they are facing and those conversations may require disclosing sensitive information. This program works well because Accelerators set ground rules, one of which is about holding issues brought up in confidence. To date there have not been any issues, but if there are concerns raised that a member has violated our ground rules, Rebekah will address the issue immediately.
This program attracts career services directors, executive directors, AVPs, etc. who lead centers at the school/college or university level. Universities represented by these directors are small, medium, and large, as well as public and private. Members have a range of experience, from being new to their roles to having worked for many years in an executive-level position. Accelerators are prepared to engage in topics ranging from high-level strategy and execution to tactical solutions.
Maybe yes, maybe no. It will depend on who registers for the program, but don't let that limit you. This program is for leaders who are ready to think expansively, learn from others, and apply learning to their own situations. If you feel you can only learn from those in situations very close to your own, then this program may not be for you.
Choosing between individual strategy coaching and the Accelerator program depends on your specific needs and preferences.
If you're seeking personalized attention, tailored guidance, and focused support on particular challenges or goals, individual strategy coaching might be the best fit. This option allows for one-on-one sessions with a coach who can provide targeted advice and accountability. You can learn more about strategy coaching here.
On the other hand, if you thrive in a collaborative environment, enjoy learning from peers, and value the exchange of diverse perspectives, the Accelerator program could be more suitable. It offers a dynamic group setting where you can engage in collective problem-solving, share experiences, and receive support from a community of like-minded professionals.
Ultimately, consider your learning style, desired level of interaction, and the depth of support you're looking for when making your decision. Some individuals may find value in a combination of both approaches, using individual coaching for specific needs and participating in the Accelerator for broader skill development and networking opportunities.
Strategy coaching clients on 6-month or longer contracts, who meet the requirements for the Accelerator, receive a free 6-month membership to the Accelerator.
If you'd benefit from a 15-30 min conversation to help you decide, feel free to schedule a meeting with Rebekah here.
The goal with this program is to provide high value without a huge time commitment. Having been a career services leader myself, I know how tight your schedule can be! Therefore, attending monthly meetings (90 min/month) plus the optional Ask Me Anything meetings (60 min/month) would be the bulk of the time commitment. Members should come prepared with some items for the Think Tank, but that shouldn't take more than a few minutes of reflection.