Now Enrolling!
Informational webinars are being offered for utility executives and/or HR leaders on July 11 at 10 AM and July 30 at 2 PM.
Core Growth Program Overview
Core Growth is an industry-specific leadership program designed for emerging water sector leaders whose span of influence and impact is growing in a meaningful way. Core Consulting has designed the six-month program using Wiley’s Work of Leaders as a framework for a curriculum that moves through four modules (self, vision, alignment and execution) with a variety of interactions, speakers and experiences.
Core Growth operates on a regional cohort model, with several utilities in the same region sending a few participants to fill a class of 15–20. Participating utilities also take turns hosting one of the program’s on-site workshops and facility tours. The next session of Core Growth will kick off in January 2020, and the process of forming the cohort is going on now. Please contact us to learn more about joining this next session!
I believe utilities can shape the course of environmental protection into the next century by working together. Core Growth offers utilities a unique learning opportunity while also inspiring collaboration that betters the industry.”
- Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer of NACWA
Through Core Growth, Your Emerging Leaders Will:
Identify their personal leadership styles.
Using the Everything DiSC and Gallup’s StrengthsFinder assessments, participants will gain a strong sense of self by learning about their leadership styles and strengths. Assessment results will help them discover the value in individual differences while also teaching tactics for working with other styles and skillsets.
Learn from other leaders.
Executive leaders from the hosting organizations will give advice at each workshop. Participants will also select a mentor from their own organization to meet with monthly. These mentors will offer leadership guidance and assist with individual development plans.
Collaborate with peers.
All Core Growth participants are water professionals from your geographic region. The strategic makeup of the class allows participants to share knowledge of the region, exchange ideas or connections, and ignite ongoing collaborative relationships.
Solve water sector issues.
Participants will build upon the four modules of the program (self, vision, alignment, and execution) to complete an industry-specific capstone project. This capstone project will explore real challenges in the water sector and will use the collective expertise of the program participants to develop solutions.
Program Outcomes
We’ve seen a host of positive outcomes for Core Growth participants since the program’s inception in 2017. On the whole, participants report greater confidence and self-awareness. Here’s what our graduates say they are better equipped to do after completing the program:
- Build stronger relationships through an increased understanding of diverse work styles
- Move initiatives from an idea to action to results
- Rally and inspire others to action (sometimes with no formal authority)
- Craft bold visions of “what can be”
- Connect the dots from strategy to tactical execution
Choosing the Right Participants
Core Growth is open to motivated professionals in the water sector (wastewater, stormwater and drinking water) who want to grow their careers. These individuals are emerging leaders who are beginning to take on heightened responsibilities and accountability for customers, projects, and/or team members, resulting in a greater direct impact on their organization's success. Participation is not limited by age or role (manager vs. non-manager), though we do recommend that participants have at least two to four years of professional work experience in the industry.
How do you know which team members are good candidates for Core Growth? We’ve identified the following critical success factors to help you select the right individuals for the program.
Core Growth participants should:
- Express interest in program participation
- Have a continuous learning and growth mindset
- Demonstrate initiative
- Exude a positive attitude
- Thrive on intrinsic motivation
- Seek out and respond well to feedback
- Support and encourage others’ success
Past Participants Share Their Core Growth Experiences
“I honestly believe this program was life-changing. My confidence has soared because I’m more self-aware of who I am and what others need.”
- Owen Van Swol, Racine Wastewater Treatment Plant, Racine, WI
“The class gave me so much perspective by visiting other jurisdictions. It was amazing to see the similarities and differences among the wastewater treatment facilities, and re-emphasized the value of my career in the industry.”
- Angela Tagnani, Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility, Spokane, WA
“One of the greatest aspects of this program was the way participants were actively engaged in critical thinking versus just ‘serving on a plate’ the solutions.”
- Dumitru Tomsa, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, Camden, NJ
“An awesome program. It has sharpened my knowledge and skills for crafting a vision, building alignment and championing execution – essential to effectively lead.”
- Dr. Junli Bai, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
What is the schedule for the program?
A
Spring - Fall 2019: Form regional cohorts
Winter 2019: Participant registration and pre-work/assessments
January 2020: Participant and mentor one-hour orientation webinars
February: Module 1 (Discovering Self) - half-day facility tour/dinner, full-day workshop, one-hour webinar
March: Module 2 (Crafting a Vision) - half-day facility tour/dinner, full-day workshop, one-hour webinar
April: Module 3 (Building Alignment) - half-day facility tour/dinner, full-day workshop, one-hour webinar
May: Module 4 (Championing Execution) - facility tour, full-day workshop, evening networking reception, graduation program
June: One-on-one coaching calls
Q
Where are the workshops held?
A
The participating organizations take turns hosting a full-day workshop and a 90-minute facility tour. Since there are only four workshops, the hosting locations are selected based on the coordination of availability of those in the regional cohort. Every effort is made to rotate locations each year to allow each organization a turn in hosting, if desired.
Q
What is the class size?
A
The target class size is approximately 15. To ensure a deepened learning experience and close network, we will only accept 15–20 emerging leaders per class.
Q
What is the program cost?
A
Cost is $5,000 per participant.
Q
What is the overall time commitment for participants?
A
Each emerging leader can expect to commit approximately 12 hours per month (not inclusive of travel time).
Q
What is the time commitment of the company mentors?
A
On average, company mentors will devote 1-2 hours per month to the program. This time will be spent coaching and mentoring the emerging leaders. The mentor will also be asked to complete a brief online program assessment to help measure progress and results.
All mentors are expected to attend a webinar orientation in January. This webinar will cover the role of the mentor in more detail and inform the mentor about what the emerging leaders will be going through over the course of the six-month program.
Lastly, mentors are highly encouraged to attend both the evening reception and graduation program in May.
About Core
Core is a leadership and strategy practice passionate about helping your organization operate at its highest potential. We believe that people are the core of every business, and when the core is strong, so is the company. We think creatively, listen intently, and communicate effectively—and we strive to help our clients do the same.
To learn more, visit www.core-consultinggroup.com.