Mentoring Leadership Opportunity

I took a strengths assessment one time. You have all done at some point in your career. The results indicated that my greatest strength was my “desire to learn.” I agree with that assessment; I love learning. However, I thought, what good is this learning if we don’t pass on our knowledge and wisdom?

So, here I am, loving to learn but desperate. I am desperate to share knowledge and am passionate about mentoring new leaders in economic development and community leadership. This is not about soothing my ego but unleashing the experiences, knowledge, and wisdom of not only my thirty-plus years in the industry but also of you and your peers.

Here's the scoop: I am looking for eight to ten economic developers in junior positions interested in eventually moving into leadership positions to be part of an exclusive mentoring program. The mentoring program will be conducted over nine months starting in February. I’m calling it the Next Wave Leadership Group.

What can you expect if you join this group?

-- Connection with other economic developers in the same position as you are.

-- The ability to confidently discuss issues, obstacles, and ideas with peers.

--Support and encouragement from other economic developers

-- Insight into leadership challenges and human interaction

-- A deep dive into your leadership skills, strengths, and personality archetype

-- Friends and relationships that will last a lifetime.

The group mentors are Cecilia Harry and me. Harry is Vice President of Economic Development at SizeUp, a Fintech Internet service company dedicated to empowering communities and economic development organizations to provide powerful business intelligence to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is a certified economic developer (CEcD) and most recently served as Chief Economic Development Officer at the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. She has worked in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Colorado. Harry has many accolades and has served on the Board of Directors of IEDC.

If you are interested, fill out the application found here.

In addition to a monthly call with the group, you will get up to three one-on-one coaching calls with me and an archetype assessment to determine your most vital leadership attributes.

In addition, I will be conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and other experts that will be available only to you during the cohort.

If you are interested, I ask only one thing before you complete the application: Commitment. If you can’t find 90 minutes a month to share and contribute to a group of like-minded individuals, then don’t fill out the application. My experience in groups like this tells me there will be no lasting benefit without commitment.

The cost for participation is free, but the assessment requires a small investment of $95 and is an integral part of the entire process.

Fill out the application here, or if you have further questions, please contact me at 518-450-3250 or via email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.

NOTE: A limited number of spaces are available, so don't hesitate!

The deadline for filling out the application is January 31, 2024.

Cecilia and I hope to see you in the Next Wave Leadership Group!