Over a period of one year, the Polaris Leadership Academy covers 9 strategies in a unique series of group sessions and teleconferences with up to 12 like-minded leaders, plus one-on-one coaching designed specifically for each individual.
* 12 - 4 hour group workouts
* 24 - 1 hour group conference calls
* Spontaneous personalized one-to-one coaching
Benchmarking
Every participant is benchmarked to establish a starting position
* identify strengths and developmental needs
* define key areas for intended success
* create a contract for planned results
* design a personal scorecard to monitor progress
Tutorials
Monthly group tutorials on leadership & management concepts. Participants select those initiatives that will generate the most meaningful results within their particular context.
Communication
* Documentation of concepts and resources are made available on a secure website for the use of all participants.
* Peer group discussions and bridge calls are used to help with implementation of concepts and find workable solutions to problems.
* Building networks for ongoing support is encourage.
Coaching
Each participant has access to coaches to address intricate details and sensitivities.
Commitment
* Each participant will create a personal action plan based on his or her initial benchmarking results and updated through the duration of the program.
* In addition, each participant is required to create a personal performance convenant with his or her own manager detailing what the organization can expect from their involvement in the Polaris Program.
Self Insight
A series of unique projects are incorporated to foster self insight and awareness
* Equus - an experience in non-verbal communication
* Sherlock - an experience in observation, interpretation and inductive reasoning
* Angel - demonstrated leadership in giving back to the community
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
