This October, Class 42 embarked on its two-year AgForestry experience.
 
Their first seminar, Leadership and Communication , is designed, in part, to give participants tools and context needed for meaningful reflection and self-discovery. After all, how can leaders influence the environment and people around them without a grasp of where and how they fit?
 
In reflecting on the first seminar, one class member shared, “This seminar provided excellent insight into what effective leadership should look like. I have already put the knowledge gained to use.”
What class members said about their first seminar:
"I gained practical tips in networking, communicating, problem-solving, and facilitating group activities. I gained self-confidence."

"The most important things I gained were the personal connections and insights into my leadership skill-set and weaknesses. These coupled concrete tools that I can apply to meetings, tending relationships, negotiations are a potent combination."

"The seminar forced me to look at myself and how to operate more as a leader and less as an individual."

"I am already using a collaborative leadership style, but following Dean Wright and Mike Gaffney's presentations I am ready to step it up a bit. They empowered me to be bolder in advocating for inclusion of the ideas and needs of others in decision processes."

"Following this seminar, I am practicing active listening. I have been making a conscious effort to allow individuals to finish their thought prior to responding, not disregarding others’ opinions without understanding "their why," and giving more of my time to engage in productive discussion."

"It's clearer to me now that when I encounter setbacks and issues while working in groups it's mostly because of communication issues. I will be working to improve my ability to communicate with people who have different styles and needs."

"A recurring theme throughout the seminar was “make an effort to connect with others.” Whether that’s taking a collaborative approach to negotiation, understanding someone’s DiSC style, or taking the time to write a sincere thank you, I saw how many of these leadership skills focus on being able to show others that you value their time and input."
Dean of the WSU College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, Dr Andre-Denis Wright, discusses the Road to Leadership.
KHQ TV News anchor Stephanie Vigil talks about maintaining credibility in leadership.