What is the Polaris Leadership Academy?
The Polaris Program is a high-intensity, 12 month coaching program designed to help you, the emerging leader, realize your future potential - today!
This practical program - integrating material on strategy, relationships and values-in-action - moves quickly from concept through implementation to practice, with the added benefit of the opportunities for cross-fertilization of ideas that result from a diverse group of participants
Why is there a need for the program?
First: Business is suffering, paying the price for all the major downsizings of the 1990s (and again in the past year) and scrambling to reduce the impact of the imminent retirement of as much as 45% of current senior management over the next decade. To secure their future, organizations must develop their management bench-strength.
Second: Individuals have not had consistent, ongoing encouragement for growth and development. Few have the opportunity to develop and grow into their leadership and management roles. Organizations promote individuals because of their technical expertise rather than the critical ability to apply strategy, benefit through relationships and create a foundation of personal values. As a result of flatter organizations, many have to make a leap (rather than a climb) up the corporate ladder - and they are not ready!)
Who should join?
High potential individuals and emerging leaders who want to:
* think, lead and manage strategically
* build and sustain truly effective relationships
* build on a principled foundation
* be someone others will trust, respect and want to work with
* be more productive, happier and more fulfilled
When does it start?
There are two programs per year, with the next one starting in May 2010. Preparatory benchmarking will commence during the 4 weeks before that.
Where is it held?
The Polaris Leadership Academy consists of both live and virtual elements. The benchmarking, intensives and monthly tutorials are face-to-face and currently held in the Toronto-Oakville-Guelph area. The twice-monthly teleconferences, one-to-one phone and e-mail coaching are virtual.
What are the benefits of this multi-faceted program?
A personalized year-long process of growth and development, lead by experienced facilitators and coaches, with the added benefit of tapping into the collective wisdom and energy of a community of like minded individuals. Bottom line: sustainable, incremental, exponential growth over time.
What is the cost to join?
Your investment in the program is $8,950 for the 12 months, payable 50% up-front and the remaining 50% after 3 months.
Are there any pre-requisites to participating?
A demonstrated desire for growth and development within an organizational context. Commitment to working through a personal action plan. The desire to learn and share.
So, are you ready to get started?
Testimonial
"The enthusiasm and confidence I gained through the principles, concepts, and philosophies within the Polaris Program have been felt not only by myself and my direct reports, but through out our entire organization."
- Alex MacKinnon, MacKinnon Transport
"I gained clarity and understanding of my particular challenges... to take a strategic approach... and achieve positive outcomes. I learned to work from my strengths... your style and manner of facilitation helped me to arrive at the answers I needed. You helped me envsion new heights and opportunities. You gave me a fabulous gift, empowerment - my heartfelt thanks!"
- Bardhonia Harding, BCG Logistics Group"I have realized that the most useful tool that I have gained from Polaris is not about changing or improving at all – it is about identifying and building on strengths within myself. This has naturally progressed to seeking the strengths in others as well and has already provided great and wonderful changes in my life!"
- Penny McDonald, ECL
"I really appreciated and value the extensive range of
resources, be it coaching, websites, books, etc. I have now
set up a one-year mini program with my own staff and am providing them
the opportunity to learn how to develop themselves."
"The senior management team at Mackinnon Transport has enjoyed the vast benefits of Polaris by Alex’s recent successful completion of the program. It has enhanced his business professionalism while elevating his daily contribution to the team.
I’m confident that future participation in the Polaris Program by our other team members will continue to enhance both their personal career growth as well as benefit our joint company-wide efforts to remain a leader in our own industry - Led by the Best; Expecting only the Best."
- Evan MacKinnon, CEO, MacKinnon Transport"The Polaris program has made it possible for me to investigate and
challenge new ways of leading. It has enabled me to implement the skills
reviewed in our sessions as well as providing necessary direction and
support when challenges occur. It has made me a better leader and mentor
to my company and my team."
- Darryl Johnson, Network Cable Service
"To represent Polaris as a series of tools or techniques that one uses occasionally when convenient is a gross understatement of the program.
The most valuable aspect of the program to me was, and continues to be, a heightened awareness of self and the interactions with colleagues and business associates.
The ability to maximize those relationships to bring out the best in myself and others, both personally and professionally, was a totally unexpected outcome of the program and probably the most valuable professional training I have undertaken. The benefits of the program span all levels of employees and business sectors by maximizing existing relationships and creating new ones through too often routine and undervalued interactions."
-April Meyer, Algonquin Power
"The Polaris Program has helped me to look at life as a whole, not as individual roles and responsibilities.
The toolkit I have developed has, and will continue to be, of use in business and personal life. Each workout has provided insight, strategies and methods that I regularly use to make a positive impact on those around me.
I would highly recommend this program for anyone interested in developing as a manager, leader and person.”
- Geoff Topping, MacKinnon Transport
- Tiffany daSilva, Moxi Media
