The LeaderShape Institute

Michigan LeaderShape is a dynamic, interactive 6 day program designed to support and develop U-M students' perceptions of leadership. LeaderShape offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of the sutdent's role as a responsible citizen. During the program, students are encouraged to make choices, take risks and develop a vision for an organization, the campus, or the community. Each student is a unique contributor and leaves feeling energized and more confident to assume leadership roles.

LeaderShape provides useful and valuable skills:

• Analyze group dynamics to maximize individual talents.
• Identify important personal values in connection to personal purpose.
• Gain greater awareness of your own leadership and communication style.
• Create and map vision plans.

LeaderShape Program Dates
April 28th -May 3rd, 2008
August 18th - 23rd, 2008

U-M LeaderShape

Participant for LeaderShape (apply today)

• Must be a U-M student
• Must be in good academic standing
• Complete online application
• Interest in growing in leadership capabilities

U-M Cluster Facilitator (applications are closed)

• Must be U-M faculty or staff
  OR
• Must be a Student U-M LeaderShape alumni

Nominate Participants (Nominate Someone Today!)

• Any faculty, staff, or student may nominate participants.
• Participants must meet the requirements for participation (see above).

Link(s)
National LeaderShape Website

What U-M participants have to say about LeaderShape

Testimonials "I always said that I have a PhD in 'Art of Procrastination.' Moreover, my toughest nemesis is sleep; my alarm has great capacity of waking up my roommate and my neighbors, but not me! During the intense contemplative days of LeaderShape, I verbalized my vision, principles that I am passionate about and willing to devote my life to. My vision as an incentive, I have managed to disown my PhD, and I spring out of my bed each day - thinking I have got another day to put my vision into reality." ~ Juie Mahajan, Biochemistry Honor's Senior, University of Michigan, 2004

*How has your LeaderShape experience changed you?
-I am very grateful to have been exposed to so many kids that are seriously committed to doing good in the world. I was/am so motivated and inspired by the others. I feel like I am more aware of my surroundings and conscious of how I deal with certain situations. At Leadershape I learned the importance of being a good listener, and the importance of speaking up for what you believe in and taking risks in order to achieve.

*What are some things that you took away from the LeaderShape Program? -Learning to trust and respect others, seeing things from a different point of view, experiencing teamwork and how effective it can be, and how to talk with peers and advisors about serious issues that are important to you, and the steps you can take individually and together to make those ideas a reality.

I recently helped initiate an informal program at Arbor Hospice called "Reminescence," which involves listening to the important events and meaningful anecdotes of residents. These will be documented in a little booklet that can serve as a keepsake for family and friends. I have thought about introducing such a program to Volunteer Services at the UM hospital, but first things first. There are a few obstacles, but I know the only thing that can keep me from succeeding is myself.

I had always been interested in politics, but wasn't sure if being a politician was right for me. I wanted to make a difference, but would I be able to make a real impact as a politician? Before LeaderShape, I only had a vague idea of how I wanted to make my mark on the world. At LeaderShape, my vague idea became a concrete reality.

I developed a vision at LeaderShape: A United States where every voter made an informed decision at election polls. I also developed a concrete plan to make this vision a reality, or as near to a reality as possible. I would create an organization that would provide voters information on their local election. I would expand this organization to every university in the country, and then to every city in the country, thereby informing nearly every American voter.

I founded the Informed Voters Foundation (IVF) later that year. After only 2 years, IVF has expanded to 16 universities spanning from coast to coast. We are continually expanding and nearing my original LeaderShape goal.

LeaderShape helps you dream unbelievable dreams, and then teaches you how to make your dream a reality. Before LeaderShape, you'll say, "That's impossible." After LeaderShape, you will accomplish the impossible.

Leadershape pushed me to recognize my personal limits in beurocratic societies. What do I define as honest or justifiable? Do I live and act by a double standard? Is being anal retentive worth it? LeaderShape placed a greater emphasis on listening to EVERYONE around me. It showed me, through more than one activity, the importance of open communication and the isolating barriers we create for ourselves even within our own society. Mostly I think it opened my mind to understanding people of different backgrounds. There are activities we did in large and small groups that I reflect upon still. I don´t think the vision I made for myself was entirely concrete...but I recognize the tools and steps that were shown to make the things that I am motivated about a reality, my difficulty is still in identifying what I want.