Enhancing Leadership Skills in Broadwater County

Published: 2022
By Allison Kosto

In the fall of 2021, MSU Extension in Broadwater County launched a new program called Big Sky, Big Leadership. This community leadership initiative seeks to address the need for leaders in rural communities and to help participants develop skills and improve awareness of local issues. The program met monthly for nine months. Each class featured a leadership development topic and a community experience. Leadership topics included personality styles, communication, conflict management, generational differences, leadership styles and effective meetings. For the community experience, each session featured an on-site visit or tour, or a guest speaker or panel to present information on a topic relevant to the community. There were 13 applicants for the first class and 10 successfully graduated in May 2022. On the final evaluation, participants shared examples of how the program has impacted them and furthered their reach in the community: • 100% of survey respondents felt their participation helped them to improve the effectiveness of meetings and actions of boards or groups they are a member of. • 86% of survey respondents felt they had become better leaders at home, work or in the community. • 3 participants became new members of community nonprofits or organizations. • 3 participants supported or mentored someone else to become a better leader. • 2 participants planned to apply for a board position within the next 6 to 12 months. • 1 participant became a member of a government board. • 1 participant started a new community effort or project. Because of the success of the class, a second program started in September 2022 with 15 participants.