The Leadership Life Preserver: 4 Strategies to Have with You when You Head into the Deep End

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Speaker: Erin Mies

Session Description

Sometimes we’re tossed into the deep end to lead a team, or sometimes we throw our new leaders in. The “sink or swim” mentality of leadership is one that’s been around for ages yet doesn’t always give new leaders the best opportunity to be successful. Whether you are a new leader, or have leaders that you are developing, this session is for you. We will cover four strategies to have with you as your Leadership Life Preserver to help your new leader be successful from the beginning. In this session, we’ll discuss:

  1. Understanding the business strategy and objectives (and how you can impact it as a leader),
  2. Establishing yourself as a leader with your team early on (through building trust and relationships),
  3. Clarifying your scope and decision-making responsibilities (so you can fully own your role), and
  4. Diagnosing problems and finding resources (so you can support and engage your team)

Meet The Speaker

Erin Mies

Erin Mies

Co-Founder

People Spark Consulting

Erin is Co-Founder of People Spark Consulting, where she works with business leaders in agriculture and food manufacturing throughout the U.S. to develop straightforward, practical solutions to help businesses grow sustainably. In this role, she works with businesses on supervisor and leadership development, as well as practical change management. Erin began her career with General Mills, working in several manufacturing facilities as HR leader and in recruiting. She then spent several years with Land O’Lakes in the Purina Animal Nutrition business as an HR leader before founding People Spark. Erin and her co-founding business partner Kristen Ireland are frequent guest speakers on practical HR and change management topics in the ag industry at industry events and conferences. Their first book will be released early in 2022. In addition to her work with People Spark, Erin is also an adjunct instructor and career consultant with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s School of Labor and Employment Relations. Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Music, Wittenberg University, 2004 Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005 Erin works with business leaders in agriculture and food manufacturing throughout the U.S. to develop straightforward, practical solutions to help businesses grow sustainably. Erin and her co-founding business partner Kristen Ireland are frequent guest speakers on practical HR and change management topics in the ag industry at industry events and conferences.