ExCEL participants and our two fearless ExCEL leaders at the end of the day...
What did we gain?
- Leadership skills
- The knowledge we can do things we think we cannot do
- Stepping outside our comfort zones
- The importance and obligations of trust
- Understanding the importance of reflection
- Great memories!
It Begins with the LOW ELEMENTS
The morning began with the LOW ELEMENTS --these are challenges with occur "mostly" on the level we are used to walking on day to day. We each had to set a personal goal for the day. There is a definite PURPOSE with each element that is important for effective leadership and was vital to the afternoon HIGH challenges. Our group worked together to accomplish the task required of each element, which was followed by a discussion of the leadership trait required for successfully achieving the objective. Some of the leadership trait discussions centered around effective oral and nonverbal communication, involving the entire group in a goal, knowing the strengths of each group member, supporting each other, encouraging rather than criticizing, effective problem solving, and learning from mistakes.
Bring on the HIGH ELEMENTS
After lunch we headed to the ExCEL course, which was a beautiful walk through the autumn leaves in the woods. The first order of business was suiting up --learning how to properly wear the safety gear. This was followed by an hour class on HIGH ELEMENT procedures which required a prescribed spoken script as follows: 1. " Permission to transfer 'person's name'"; "Transfer on 'Name repeated'"; at this point the first safety rope is moved to the new location; "Clip One" the person indicated he/she is moving the safety rope; "Gate Check?" the partner is instructing the person to check and make sure the clip is secure; "Clip one locked" a visual and physical check has been made; "Next." the partner indicates it is safe for the second rope to be moved; "Clip Two." The second clip is now being moved to the new location, along with clip one; "Gate check." The partner is instructing a safety check of this lock; "Gate checked." The lock has been determined to be in the correct position. At this point the participant works to complete the next element.
We practiced and practiced this procedure and were tested on it prior to climbing. We began realizing the responsibility of leadership in a manner that vividly illustrates attention to detail, genuine focus, and the power of problem solving and encouragement of others. There are multiple ways of completing each element. We enlisted the help of each other and experimented to discover ways that enabled us to complete a task. We shared that knowledge and helped each other to figure out the best way to achieve an element based on body build and the "fear factor!"
We practiced and practiced this procedure and were tested on it prior to climbing. We began realizing the responsibility of leadership in a manner that vividly illustrates attention to detail, genuine focus, and the power of problem solving and encouragement of others. There are multiple ways of completing each element. We enlisted the help of each other and experimented to discover ways that enabled us to complete a task. We shared that knowledge and helped each other to figure out the best way to achieve an element based on body build and the "fear factor!"
A TIME FOR REFLECTION
The reward for completing the course was a ride DOWN on the Zip Line! When everyone was safely back on the ground, the ExCEL leaders gathered everyone together in the pavilion where we were asked to select a card that reminded us of what we had learned; each card had a different graphic image. Speaking one at a time, each of us showed our card and explained why it reminded us of what we learned that day, what goal we had set for ourselves that day, if the goal was achieved, and what we planned to take back with us from the day to make us a better leader.
Many may see a day spent at ExCEL as a frivolous day of fun --it is indeed fun, but definitely not frivolous. The ExCEL program is extremely effective in developing leadership skills, confidence, and encourages reflection --a valuable leadership skill we seldom use. The day changed who we are and revealed in an extremely effective way a new understanding of leadership and a clearer realization of what we are capable of.
Many may see a day spent at ExCEL as a frivolous day of fun --it is indeed fun, but definitely not frivolous. The ExCEL program is extremely effective in developing leadership skills, confidence, and encourages reflection --a valuable leadership skill we seldom use. The day changed who we are and revealed in an extremely effective way a new understanding of leadership and a clearer realization of what we are capable of.
TRIBUTE TO MR. GUNTY
Mr. Gunty went with us on our trip along with our fearless leader, Ms. Hesse, who is becoming "too brittle" to climb; her role now is chief photographer! We all lined up along the zip-line course and encouraged Mr. Gunty down while Ms. Hesse held down the shutter to record his descent for history!
