Testimonials
Mark Dorris
IT Manager, Information Technology Services
“As somewhat of a leadership geek, I was excited when Dave asked me to be a part of the pilot. Being a leadership geek himself, I knew Dave would be thorough in his coverage of topics, reference what real leadership experts had to say, and bring a wealth of experience to the group—and he didn't disappoint. What I didn't expect was an opportunity to learn so much from other leaders in the group. Dave leads in a way that provides direction but allows for exploration and creative problem solving within the group. I continue to reference notes and materials from the group years after discussion. It's that good!”
Cathy Foland
Retired Bursar
“I’ve definitely expanded my skills as a manager through this class. I have many more strategies available to me for dealing with problems that arise. No matter how long you’ve been a manager you will gain a new perspective. Whether it is delegation, decision-making or negotiation; there are strategies you can use to improve your skills as a manager. Dave makes it interesting and fun and relevant to what you face every day as a manager. Dave encourages group discussion and uses real-world examples, not “management theory.” You also walk away with materials that you can refer back to when needed. Things like a list of tactics to use when negotiating and a checklist of do’s and don’ts for business communications. I highly recommend this course to both new and experienced managers. It is well worth the time you invest.”
Lora Flamm Miles
Retired Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
“I would highly recommend these modules to individuals who are becoming supervisors or managers. The topics were right on target regarding information that every manager should know. The discussions with the participants are very valuable in gaining different perspectives and ideas.”
Bill Winter
Budget Director, Office of the Chancellor
“I would highly recommend this course not only to someone who is a first-time manager, but also to anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills in both their work life and personal life. While the content of the course sessions is interesting, informative, and valuable, what makes the course even better are the hands-on, interactive methods used in working through real life case studies.”
Nancy Ufert Fairless
Retired Director, Purchasing
“The pilot was a very engaging and interactive leadership course. Dave’s real-world examples were great and I enjoyed the interactive dialogue that occurred between the participants. The variety of courses reinforced and introduced leadership methods that helped me both professionally and personally. The modules make you aware of yourself in respect to your leadership abilities, and you can develop a plan to strengthen your weaker skills and become a better leader. It gave me tools to succeed as a good leader, and it is something I am truly grateful for. I highly recommend the course!”
Keith Becherer
Director, Campus Recreation
“The opportunity to discuss relevant and real-life situations each week with trusted colleagues was invaluable. It is extremely beneficial to have other campus partners discussing topics, which often meant hearing insight, perspectives, past successes, past mistakes and suggestions on how to solve a problem different than my original approach. The collective wisdom and insight helped me gain a better understanding of the University and ultimately has helped me grow as a supervisor. Just like developing any other technical skill set, managing people also requires continuous effort to be successful.”
Michael Pulley
IT Manager, Information Technology Services
“We had all levels in this course, and that was valuable. The various levels of leaders provided a variety of opinions and viewpoints, and observing the process of these leaders working though issues provided a wealth of information about the individuals and the subject matter. Well-seasoned supervisors, and more importantly, new supervisors could learn much from this material. Many times folks are promoted because they were good at their non-supervisory job. This does not necessarily mean they will be good leaders. The material applies to any department, since anyone can be a leader regardless of who they are or what department they work in.”
Agustin Bramwell
Superintendent of Operations, Facilities Management
“This pilot leadership program helped me transition from a 26-year Air Force career into a management position here at SIUE. So many topics were discussed in the leadership and management arena, especially from a higher education perspective. These discussions were instrumental in setting me up for success here. A special thanks to Mr. David Heth for putting together a very strong program that guarantees tremendous success for anyone that comes in contact with it. Lastly, kudos to all the participants; their dedication and hard work were noteworthy and very helpful in my transition from my Air Force career into the higher education world. I highly recommend this course be taught to all supervisory and managerial positions here at SIUE or any higher education institution.”
Oniffe Grizzle
Former Manager, Mailing Services
“The program has been very instrumental in developing me as a person, manager and leader. When I started the course I was a newly appointed manager leading a department of ten people, all of whom were older than me. My boss said the department needed to run more efficiently and the budget made “leaner.” The “How To” was mine to determine. While I was equipped with the theoretical knowledge of how to address these objectives, I was far from prepared to negotiate the interpersonal, political, and procedural challenges associated with bringing about change. The course’s case studies, experiential learning, and group study allowed me to practically apply concepts in a low risk and safe environment. The expert opinion of the facilitator, Dave Heth, and the cadre of my peers provided me with the knowledge and skills to tackle the high stakes situations I have faced as a manager. The course has made me more confident, and a better writer, public speaker, leader, and person. I highly recommend this course for first-time supervisors, and for seasoned managers who may need to stay attuned to the latest managerial principles.”
Steve Jankowski
Retired Director, WSIE-FM
“The material presented, how it was presented, and the associated activities were all of high quality. You provided great insight into areas most managers need to understand but don’t often discover until it may, literally, be too late. I gained new perspectives and wisdom. Plus it was highly enjoyable engaging with like-minded individuals, eager to learn and share. I very much appreciated the way you moved the participants around, enabling each of us to better engage with each other and avoid creating “teams or tribes.” I believe anyone would benefit by participating, especially individuals who want to move up to middle management and beyond. You’ve done a good thing Dave!”
