Sauk County Institute of Leadership Explores Culture, Creativity, and Emotional Intelligence in Spring Green Experience
Participants in the Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) took part in an immersive learning experience in Spring Green on February 12th, exploring leadership lessons through culture, creativity, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship.
The group began their day at American Players Theatre (APT), where participants toured the renowned outdoor theatre facility and gained insight into APT’s organizational culture, teamwork, and the values that contribute to its long-standing success. The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at how mission-driven organizations build strong communities and inspire excellence through collaboration.
Following the theatre tour, the class visited the historic Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, a site designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While there, participants engaged in a session focused on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its importance in leadership. Through discussion and storytelling, the group explored how leaders can foster connection, self-awareness, and resilience—while also encouraging creativity and innovation in the workplace.
“I really enjoyed this session and the focus on creativity and leadership. It’s not something I’d thought about before but have come to realize is very important when it comes to problem solving,” said Michelle Bauer, a participant in the Sauk County Institute of Leadership program. “I also found the emotional intelligence results to be both helpful and interesting. I’m looking forward to digging into those results more after class.”
The day concluded with a visit from the Ringbrothers, the internationally recognized custom car builders based in Wisconsin. The Ringbrothers shared their journey of building a successful business from the ground up, along with stories of perseverance, creativity, and leadership in entrepreneurship. Their presentation highlighted the role of passion, craftsmanship, and vision in creating a brand known around the world.
“When reflecting back to SCIL from last week, as always, I’m pleasantly surprised,” said Sarah Garcia, a program participant. “We may know who’s speaking ahead of time, but that doesn’t mean we know what the day will bring. A couple points that really stayed with me were the EQ test and the Ring Brothers session. The EQ results weren’t surprising from a professional standpoint, and I look forward to diving deeper into that with Morgan. The Ring Brothers were incredibly inspiring because they were never driven by money. They were motivated by what they loved to do — and yes, maybe even meeting girls along the way,” she added with a laugh. “More importantly, they lead with integrity and honesty. They were never afraid to fail because failure meant they could do better. It pushed them to go farther, find better solutions, and keep moving forward. In reflection, you have control of your life. If you don’t stop yourself, you can do anything you want — and if you lead with honest, moral principles, people will support and follow you. That’s true leadership.”
The Spring Green experience is one of several hands-on sessions included in the Sauk County Institute of Leadership program, which is designed to develop informed, connected, and capable leaders who are committed to strengthening Sauk County’s communities and organizations.
The Sauk County Institute of Leadership continues to provide participants with opportunities to learn directly from local leaders and institutions, helping them build leadership skills through real-world experiences.
Registration is now open for next year’s Sauk County Institute of Leadership program.
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply here: https://saukcountyinstituteofleadership.org/apply#apply
Written by: Martina Reuter
