You may have sat in front of your television this year, watching events unfold that seem to have no resolution. People do not trust each other. They stubbornly refuse to talk out their differences.
Twenty-five years ago Leadership Houston's founders were worried that leaders were not talking to each other. Perhaps people who looked alike may have shared their views, but leaders across demographic groups had no forum to approach the communities' issues together. They had little chance to establish friendships.
Class XXVI
That is why Leadership Houston was created. We bring together diverse people from various areas of corporate, non-profit, government, and entrepreneurial sectors. We equip them with a broad understanding of the Houston community, its history, economy, government structure, social justice, education, arts, medical infrastructure, human services, and quality of place. Over a 10 month period, our graduates are introduced to aspects of the community that even native born Houstonians have marveled about.
Besides the comprehensive knowledge of "who's who and what's what," our class members are trained in who they are as leaders. What is their leadership style? How can they hone it? How do they deal with stress at work? What is the most effective way to coach others?
In short, at the end of our program, Leadership Houston graduates know more fully who they are and where they can most effectively apply their talents. Not only that, but they have classmates who understand who they are and what their goals include. Those graduates work together to help each person fulfill what they have purposed to do.
It is a beautiful thing to listen to a Leadership Houston graduate relate all the ways the organization and their classmates helped them achieve their goals. I would wish this experience on every person who has felt the stir of leadership in their hearts. It is empowering. It is productive. It is changing the community in Houston.
I invite you to join. Apply to the program. Send your most promising leaders. And support the organization with your resources.
The current reality is more challenging than ever for leaders. We have to forge ahead creating relationships and dialogues full of trust.
Leadership Houston Mission and Vision
To recognize and build Houston's community with active business and civic leaders:
- Recognizing and attracting leaders who are committed to making a difference in the Greater Houston community.
- Providing in-depth education about the social and economic working of our community.
- Building personal, organizational and civic leadership capacities of those who participate in our broad range of programs.
- Impacting the betterment of life in our community through participation in our programs and our community outreach initiatives.
- Nurturing long term ownership and affiliation for the future prosperity of our community through insight, education and collaboration.
Leadership Houston serves all business sectors of Houston - private, public and nonprofit and performs as the 'portal' for leadership in the City. It serves as the 'go to' place for those committed to building their leadership skills. Our goal is for Houston to be known locally, nationally and globally for leadership - resourceful, informed and talented leaders making major contributions to their organizations and the betterment of Houston.
History
Leadership Houston was founded in 1981 by the Chamber of Commerce as its leadership development 'arm' in the community. As the Chamber grew into its broadened mission and became the Greater Houston Partnership so had Leadership Houston matured and was ready to establish itself in 1992 as a separate, nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation.
Leadership Houston, through its program and continuing leadership offerings, has for 28 years provided intensive and interactive seminars and experiences that develop and enhance individual, organizational and civic leadership skills. Each month the class members are exposed to a different issue facing the leaders of Houston - education, the arts, social justice, health and human services, the environment, government, and the economy. Each member also learns more about his/her personal style and ways to use this knowledge to be more effective as leaders in their own organizations as well as the broader Houston community. The class, in addition to its classroom experience, selects and implements a class project. This assignment has a two-fold mission: to develop in real case scenarios the leadership styles and skills of the class members, and to make a positive impact on the Houston community. Each project identified an area of need within the community and through the teamwork of the participants positively addressed that need.
Graduates of Leadership Houston have gone on to provide leadership in all sectors of the Houston community. Local, state and federal government is strengthened with graduates such as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Local nonprofits benefit from the leadership of graduates Ellen R. Cohen at the Houston Area Women's Center, John Meredith at Aspiring Youth of Houston, Reverend Leslie Smith II of Families Under Urban & Social Attack, Inc. Carol Shattuck of Collaboratives for Children and Paula J. Cizik of I Have a Dream - Houston. The business community is also filled with graduates of Leadership Houston. From small businesses to large corporations, graduates of Leadership Houston contribute significantly to the private sector each day.
Over 1,300 graduates have now completed the ten month course during which they not only learned more about Houston but also about themselves as key current and future leaders in the community. Upon graduation, the learning opportunities continue through a rich array of alumni programs.
