Leaders ?Get Real? at Milestone

 

It sounds like the premise for a reality TV show: 12 fast-tracking executives from around the world living together in a mansion on a 99-acre estate complete with celebrity guests, fine cuisine and challenges designed to test their leadership mettle.

It’s actually a reality check.

The Milestone Leadership Journey is a signature program of the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics in Siloam Springs. Milestone typically unites 12 to 15 executives for three days of intensive instructional and experiential learning.

It’s widely known for being on par, albeit less expensive, than any of the ballyhooed big-think retreats that draw premier execs from the ivy-laden northeast to the sunny west coast.

Began in November of 2002, the program is held at Greystone, a 16,000-SF granite and marble masterpiece overlooking Beaver Lake. Base Camp 2, the center’s satellite outdoor course, and a battery of assessment tools are also staples of the curriculum.

There have been 455 participants from across many industries and company sizes. Several firms send at least one person per session as an intentional part of their development process for high-potential leaders.

One of the best components is the face time with Don Soderquist, the retired vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and other accomplished guests who share their “lessons learned.” (Milestone is online under “services” at www.soderquist.org.)

My class went through the program Oct. 20-23, and it’s fair to say I was lucky to even be in the same ZIP code as these folks. In fact, the only thing that would do the experience justice is to include feedback from several of them.

So succinctly, and in the interest of accountability, I will briefly share part of my new “personal action plan.” Developing a leadership strategy is a core component of Milestone and its measurable ROI. In addition to maximizing strengths, the exercise forces participants to do a “correction of errors” to improve both themselves and their organizations.

My plan includes starting to “manage relationships in ways that compel me and my teammates to grow our performance to meet or exceed our true potential.” I am also endeavoring to “make it a weekly habit to pollinate inspiration throughout not just the management team, but the entire staff so they will be encouraged and realize how important they truly all are.”

I am not sure how I’m grading out so far, but the process is sincere. I have never been more inspired to get better than during the time I spent at Milestone. It’s a sure bet for any company interested in developing its rising talent, and the experience of a lifetime.

Here are some additional thoughts from three of my Milestone teammates who proved they are men their companies and families can be proud of:

Greg Cathey, senior director-international operations at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. − “Being exposed to a diverse group of executives and Milestone guides helped to crystallized my core values, mission and purpose for my life. This alignment will have a lasting impact on my leadership at home and at work.”

Josh Militello, vice president-national accounts for The Coleman Co. − “Self reflection and taking the time to do a deep-drive analysis of yourself to identify what is working and what might not be working is the first gift this program offered me. The second would be the tools to make a ‘correction of errors’ per a term we used this week or to modify already good behavior to make it better. The new internal and external awareness driven by this training and self-reflection model will certainly have a profound effect on my leadership and dealings with others in and out of the office.”

Carl Munyon, managing director of consulting, Advantax Group LLC − “The Milestone Program at the Soderquist Center was a leadership-changing experience. The people who run the program are amazing and challenged me to go deeper and see my leadership style in a whole new light. In addition to the top-notch instructors running the program, it was worth the time to just interact with the top talent from several other successful corporations. I truly feel that the return on this investment in my leadership will continue to pay back over the rest of my career.”