Why Courage to Lead®?
Those of us engaged in leadership, community service, and social
change know the challenge of sustaining ourselves and our commitment to
deeply held values and beliefs. The more passionate we are about our
work, the more vital it is that we take time to renew our own spirits
-- to reflect on the wellsprings of our service to others -- to
reconnect who we are with what we do. And in this process, we also benefit from the development of a trusted peer group for mutual support and inspiration. The
Courage to Lead program is designed to provide just this type of nurturing environment for nonprofit executive leaders.
The Courage to Lead program:
- Renews heart, mind and spirit through exploration of the inner life of leaders.
- Reconnects to one’s identity and integrity — identifying and honoring gifts and strengths, and acknowledging limits.
- Provides the rare opportunity to slow down and reflect about questions of meaning, purpose, vision and service.
- Explores reflective practices that help sustain spirit and vocational vitality and inform one’s life and leadership.
- Creates a safe and trustworthy community of peers that supports the inner journey and strengthens participants for their work in the world.
Process of Courage to Lead
Courage
to Lead retreats provide space and quiet so that we can begin to hear
our inner voice. The practice of reflection, journaling, and deep
listening are part of the fabric of our approach. In his book A Hidden
Wholeness, Parker Palmer describes Courage work as “creating a space
that both safeguards and encourages the inner journey.” Working in such
a space, participants gain opportunities to renew personal identity,
professional integrity, and vocational vitality. Meeting quarterly in
retreat with a group of other nonprofit leaders provides the
opportunity to build a deep and trusted community of peers. And our monthly Leader Circles allow participants to continue the work and reinforce their learnings between meetings in a small group environment.