Leadership program participants arrived hungry but left full!
Prairie du Sac, WI - The topic of the day was Authentic Leadership at the monthly gathering of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class on December 14th. The morning began at the headquarters of Culver’s, where Craig Culver explained how the spirit of entrepreneurship drove him and his father to keep pushing through their business ups and downs which eventually led to the dramatic success of Culver’s. They are on track to open their 1,000th store in 2024.
The Culver’s brand and culture are true representations of how they continue to grow as a result of their comprehensive Leadership program. Rich Modjeski described different traits they look for when collaborating with new team members and franchisees. Both Rich and Craig stressed the importance of adhering to their core values and commitment to quality as key to their continued success. Positive people breed a positive culture and it was evident that this message is genuine and lived throughout all levels of the Culver’s organization. That conversation whet the appetites of SCILsters so when the program moved to the Administration building of the Sauk Prairie School District, the group was ready for anything!
After exploring the important role vulnerability can play in both personal and professional relationships, the day continued with partners sharing their crucible stories. A crucible story is a transformative experience, positive or negative, from any point in your life that tests you, forcing you to look at core values, character traits and perceptions. Oftentimes, we do not realize we are going through our crucible story until able to view it later in life with the benefit of hindsight. Dissecting the concept that vulnerability is the birthplace of joy and creativity helped SCILsters build up the courage to tell their entire stories whole-heartedly. This work dug deep into what truly makes an Authentic Leader and how this plays into each of our stories and lives.
Marietta Reuter and Fritz Wyttenbach showed their honest, true selves when speaking about their history of leading amazing projects throughout Sauk Prairie and the surrounding communities. Marietta shared the personal reasons she started her business, Tools of Marketing, almost 25 years ago, and how her passion for giving back continues to inspire her involvement. Fritz’s personal motto, “Attitude is Everything” shines through in everything he touches, from the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw to dedicating many years coordinating area Badger Honor Flights for local Veterans. They most recently joined forces to ensure the success of the Culver Community Park Project.
Kelsey Brennan from American Players Theatre challenged the class to think outside the box and taught the importance of bringing improv into everyday life, especially as leaders. She introduced the cycle of “Yes, and” as a powerful leadership tool that allows for affirmation and collaboration while communicating with others. This technique is a means to communicate in a meaningful and productive way, even when having hard conversations.
The conclusion of the day saw SCILsters reflecting on their experiences and how their crucible stories affect their leadership style. The honest and open stories shared by the speakers gave the group much to consider before the next session. The 2023-2024 class of the Sauk County Institute of Leadership will continue to meet monthly, through May 2024.
Written by Emily Herritz and Sara Pahl
