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LEADERSHIP FAQ

GrassFire is unique in its approach to leadership development by offering a customized and hybrid approach that combines the best of different leadership styles. With one on one development and training conducted by a true leaderologist who has studied leadership at all levels, you can expect both immediate and long term impact. The training also covers organizational development and health science elements, providing a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to leadership.

Absolutely! If it’s done correctly! However, leadership development can fail when approached incorrectly.

Learn more by reading some of my latest research titled, “A Leadership Development Reality Check.

Great question! There are a few elements of Servant Leadership that I will teach but Servant Leadership is not the emphasis. However, there are a few great reasons for this. 

Servant Leadership is Not Always Practical

Aside from Servant Leadership (SL) sometimes appearing Laissez-Faire (Singfiel, 2018), SL is simply not the best approach for all organizations. In organizations where structure and protocols are essential, especially where time is essential and power cannot be shared, Servant Leadership is simply not the best choice (CAS5184, 2018). Ultimately, that weeds out many industries. Though, SL might be a decent option for non-profits.

The Validity of Servant Leadership Remains in Question

In my experience, many leadership-educated professionals avoid SL due to its known gaps. Aside from the confusion previously discussed, there are some holes that servant leadership has yet to address. For example, Servant Leadership scholars are still trying to hash out the core dimensions of the process and have yet to reach a consensus regarding the framework or universal definition of the approach (Northouse, 2016).

Adding to this confusion is that many practitioners and advocates of Servant Leadership are not really leadership researchers or leadership professionals concerned with its validity (Northouse, 2016). In fact, that is likely why so many many management professionals have begun to advocate the approach. Regardless, until leadership researchers and professionals can help Servant Leadership sure up some of its known gaps, and considering the importance of proven results when it comes to leadership development, SL is simply not be the best approach for those seeking specific leadership results.

Emotions Usually Don’t Fix Problems

When writing on the topic of Servant Leadership, Dr. Ken Blanchard stated that “The antidote for fear is love (Blanchard, 2018).” While this sounds nice, that is a scary proposition regarding organizational effectiveness and change. To be clear, the Servant Leader stresses the importance of feelings and inclusion over organizational performance. However, when it comes to organizational change and fear of what that change might ultimately bring, I’m afraid I have to disagree with his position. In my experience, emotions do not fix problems, they cause them. 

Instead, and aside from the types of fear related to immediate danger, I tend to agree with Dr. Debasish Mridha when he said, “Fear comes from the lack of knowledge and a state of ignorance. The best remedy for fear is to gain knowledge (Mridha, n.d.).” In context, and in my experience, I have found that workers want truthful answers and information that empowers their abilities over being told that you care about them. Mindset can make all the difference when faced with organizational challenges, and some of the worst leaders I have ever worked under were both highly caring and entirely ineffective.

Remember: my job is to provide science-based, proven, and lasting results. I simply will not risk your investment, life, career, or organization on an unproven fad. 

References:
Blanchard, K. H. (2018). Leading at a Higher Level: Blanchard on Leadership and Creating High Performing Organizations. Pearson Education.
CAS5184. (2018, April 02). Servant Leadership: The Cons of an otherwise ideal Leadership Theory. Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://sites.psu.edu/leadership/2018/04/02/servant-leadership-the-cons-of-an-otherwise-ideal-leadership-theory/
Mridha, D. (n.d.). QUOTE: FROM Debasish Mridha. Retrieved July 12, 2020, from https://web.archive.org/web/20211022224352/https://www.knauit.com/quote/debasish-mridha-392
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice. Los Angeles: Sage.
Singfiel, J. (2018). When Servant Leaders Appear Laissez-Faire: The Effect of Social Identity Prototypes on Christian Leaders. The Journal of Applied Christian Leadership12(1), 64–77.
Tee, E. (2018, March 30). The Pitfalls Of Servant Leadership. Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://leaderonomics.com/leadership/the-pitfalls-of-servant-leadership

I teach a hybrid of leadership styles and theorems with an emphasis on Transformational and Strategic Leadership. This hybrid includes elements of Servant, Agile, Operational, Organizational, Tactical, Modern, Traditional, and several others. 

Transformational Leadership seeks to develop the team and organization. However, rather than placing so much emphasis on the emotional, it emphasizes the teams and the organizational vision instead. Also, and in my opinion, Transformational Leadership tends to generate more cohesive teams. Simply stated, Transformational Leadership focuses on developing teams and inspiring followers to work towards a common goal (Allen et al., 2016).

Strategic Leadership is the hard part and it is arguably what sets my program apart from so many others. Strategic Leadership is not something that is quickly learned or practiced, and it is not something that will be picked up over a weekend seminar. While highly effective, leaders should understand that college degrees are dedicated to its study. Therefore, a brief overview will likely not provide the depth necessary to understand its approach fully.

As Dr. Deedee Myers says, “Strategic leadership can be difficult to describe because it is highly complex and complicated (Myers, 2015).” This is to say that the competencies are vast, and implementing those competencies is a challenge. Furthermore, achieving Strategic Leadership as defined requires a great deal of knowledge and practice. However, the LEIP program uses a proprietary approach that expedites the understanding of some of the more critical components and provides the necessary tools to make it stick.

References:
Allen, G. P., Moore, W. M., Moser, L. R., Neill, K. K., Sambamoorthi, U., & Bell, H. S. (2016). The Role of Servant Leadership and Transformational Leadership in Academic Pharmacy. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(7), 113. doi:10.5688/ajpe807113
Myers, D. (2015, October 26). CONFUSING LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP: What Really Is Strategic Leadership? Retrieved July 13, 2020, from https://ddjmyers.com/2015/10/26/confusing-levels-leadership-really-strategic-leadership/

There is, and the science is rather clear about their outcomes. Choose wisely. Leadership development can either be an amazing investment or a costly waste of time. 

You might also enjoy reading my article Ten Reasons To Avoid Group Development

Absolutely! That’s the best part! I customize every program to fit your individual needs and industry.

The leadership industry can be confusing because it is an unregulated field, with many private “accreditation” claims and certifications lacking credibility. That said, I am a verified Leaderologist II with the National Leaderology Association – an association of true leadership professionals dedicated to ensuring integrity in the discipline. Being a leaderologist sets me apart as a true expert in the field of leadership. With a doctorate, master’s, and undergraduate degree in leadership, along with advanced education in organizational development, health science, and education, I have the knowledge and qualifications to provide the highest level of service to my students. Trust in my expertise and education to guide you toward true development and success.

There is no up-sell and no extra materials to buy. My programs are pretty straight forward, so you know exactly what to expect regarding price and time. 

Countless reasons! Leadership development programs are not just an investment in an individual, they are an investment in your organization. In fact, according to Rocki-Lee DeWitt, Ph.D., a Professor of Management in the School of Business Administration at the University of Vermont, Leadership development is crucial to your business’ next stage of growth because it helps you and other emerging leaders in your company:

  • – Develop strategies that give your business a competitive edge.
  • – Figure out how your company can become more flexible, enabling you to prepare for and quickly adapt to changes in the marketplace.
  • – Re-examine your business’ priorities, allowing you to pursue new opportunities and drop any efforts that aren’t worth the time or money.
  • – More effectively manage your finances and growing profits, improving your business’s financial performance.
  • – Implement sales and marketing strategies that help you carve out a niche in the marketplace.
  • – Attract, motivate and retain employees who will be deeply engaged in supporting your goals and vision.
 

Absolutely! Studies show that such development improves employee efficiencies, productivity, happiness, and engagement. Who wouldn’t want that?

If leadership development is not right for you, perhaps personal development is. You’re not going to be on your game at work if you’re stressing about things going on at home. Personalized Leadership Development ensures you learn how to REALLY LEAD YOUR LIFE!

Yes! However, you should be aware that numerous studies demonstrate that group programs are not nearly as effective as individualized programs. This is because the approach for groups must be generalized and somewhat generic. Organizations should NOT expect the same results from a group program as they might receive from an individualized program.

That being said, I will and have worked with all sorts of groups and have a comfortable classroom available to accommodate. 

Leadership development programs are not just for seasoned leadership pros. They work great for new hires, recently promoted, or those simply on a mission to achieve their goals. 

As a leader in the industry, I am proud to offer my services to a wide range of industries. From banks and credit unions to aviation and security, healthcare, and education, my programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each industry. That is why my approach is flexible and customizable. My goal is to help you achieve your personal and professional goals, no matter what industry you’re in. With a proven track record of success, I have served clients in various industries, including but not limited to:

Banks/Credit Unions
Aviation
Security / Investigations
Computers / I.T.
General Business
Medical
Health & Wellness
Insurance
Government
Non-Profits
Faith-Based
Education
And many more

Reach out to me today to find out how I can help you and your organization achieve your goals.

 

Personal development is a customized program that focuses on helping individuals overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. It addresses a wide range of issues that may be preventing the individual from living their best life, including work-related issues, mastering new skills, personal growth, and more. It is tailored to the specific needs of the individual and can include topics such as:

Life Vision
Dealing with Loss
Career Changes & Challenges
Parental Leadership
Sales & Influence
Effective Communication
Public Speaking
Relationship Leadership
Education Paths
And many more.

In many ways, it’s learning ways to navigate life’s unexpected events and learning how to apply existing skills in everyday life. Contact me for a free consultation to see if this program is a good fit for you.

 

Fantastic question! When it comes to behavior-related diseases, nutrition, and physical activity, you want accurate information for the best outcomes. You likely will not receive that in most other places.

The root of this systemic problem might be found by first examining chronic diseases and the leading causes of death. According to the CDC, sixty percent of Americans deal with some kind of chronic ailment (CDC, 2019). Furthermore, the leading causes of death in the United States result from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (CDC, 2019). However, it is essential to note that a recent study published in PLOS One suggests that such diseases are not genetic or communicable. Instead, the study echoes the CDC by suggesting that more than 85 percent of chronic disease is caused by lifestyle choices that include diet and exercise (Rappaport, 2016).

Diet is foundational in health, but nutrition is not a focal point in the training of most physicians. According to research conducted by Jennifer Abbasi, many medical students do not get an appropriate education regarding nutrition (Abbasi, 2019). Abbasi’s findings are supported by a 2015 survey that found that 71 percent of medical schools provide less than the recommended 25 hours of nutrition education and that over a third of all schools provide less than half of that (Adams et al., 2015).

Similarly, exercise is essential for health, but again, not something that many physicians are required to learn. In a 2015 study of allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, researchers found that only 12.2 percent of medical students had a single required course related to physical activity (Devries et al., 2017). A study conducted in 2015 by Cardinal, Park, MooSong, & Cardinal, demonstrated that over half of all American physicians receive zero formal education in physical activity (Cardinal et al., 2015).

This is all very alarming, especially considering that behavior-related diseases are spiraling out of control. Think of it from a logical perspective – it would be pretty hard to treat or address something you know so very little about. That’s why I chose health science – because it is desperately needed. You should choose me because I truly understand the problem, went to school to learn about it, and can provide the information that can put you on the path to resolution. 


Resources:

Abbasi, J. (2019). Medical Students Around the World Poorly Trained in Nutrition. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.17297

Adams, K. M., Butsch, W. S., & Kohlmeier, M. (2015). The State of Nutrition Education at US Medical Schools. Journal of Biomedical Education, 2015, 1-7. doi:10.1155/2015/357627

Cardinal, B. J., Park, E. A., MooSong Kim, & Cardinal, M. K. (2015). If Exercise is Medicine, Where is Exercise in Medicine? Review of U.S. Medical Education Curricula for Physical Activity-Related Content. Journal of Physical Activity & Health12(9), 1336–1343.

CDC. (2019, October 23). About Chronic Diseases. Retrieved July 17, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm

Devries, S., Agatston, A., Aggarwal, M., Aspry, K. E., Esselstyn, C. B., Kris-Etherton, P., Miller, M., O’Keefe, J. H., Ros, E., Rzeszut, A. K., White, B. A., Williams, K. A., & Freeman, A. M. (2017). A Deficiency of Nutrition Education and Practice in Cardiology. The American Journal of Medicine130(11), 1298–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.04.043

Rappaport, S. M. (2016). Genetic Factors Are Not the Major Causes of Chronic Diseases. Plos One, 11(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0154387

Yes! My programs are not for everyone. However, a brief consultation will let us know if we are a match. If by chance, this program is not a perfect fit, I am prepared to refer you to other programs that might be.

Payments: Students have the option to pay as they go or to pay for the entire course upfront.

Cancellations: Both GrassFire and the Student reserve the right to postpone or cancel any class or course.

Refunds For LEIP: If a LEIP student cancels before our fourth class or within two weeks (whichever comes first), we will promptly refund the paid amount. This gives the student plenty of time to determine value. However, if a student cancels anytime after the third class or after the initial two weeks, we will promptly refund any prorated / unused amount (if applicable).

All Other Programs: Services are rendered before payments are received and after a free initial consultation. Times and prices are clearly marked and discussed. No refund is necessary. 

Great question. 

Accepted Forms of Payment Include: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, ACH, Cashier’s Check, and Business Check.

That’s not a problem! Most of these programs can be conducted online. We can utilize technology such as Google Meet for face-to-face interactions over the web, as well as phone for support sessions and email for continued communication.

That’s not a problem at all. In-office Leadership Development and Training takes place in our office in Wichita, Kansas. However, some organizations and individuals would like me to come to them. Just let me know what you need and where you need it and I’ll help figure out the details to make it work for you.

Corporate Partnerships: Generous discounts are extended to corporate partners who team up with GrassFire to provide leadership development services for their team members and organizational development services for their organization. Please contact me for more information. 

The Auxesis Scholarship is a generous partial scholarship offered to members of Auxesis. Part of the proceeds go back to Auxesis to help foster its growth.

Seasonal Specials: Each season, I provide various incentives to boost the savings. These vary by year. Be sure to ask about them.  These typically vary from 3% to 10%.