VBSR CEO Solidarity Circle
CEOs and executive leaders know that it can be lonely at the top. You hold a lot of information and responsibility, and you can’t necessarily share this with others. It can also be difficult to let down your guard and acknowledge that you’re not completely confident in managing today’s constant and complex change. Yet to be an effective leader, it’s important that you too have the opportunity to air your concerns and insecurity, and to benefit from guidance and community – throughout your career.
Join VBSR, Jason Lorber from Aplomb Consulting, and Vermont executive leaders for the VBSR CEO Solidarity Circle, a safe and structured space for values-driven CEOs to explore and learn from their peers about confident leadership and innovatively managing change. Drawing upon leading-edge practices, expert facilitation and guidance, and the collective wisdom of Vermont’s visionary business leaders, this will be a place for sharing perspectives, asking questions, and creating a confidential, supportive community for learning and growth.
CEOs and executive leaders of all backgrounds (including businesses and nonprofits) are welcome. Leaders who identify as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate.
Together, we will explore the real-life challenges of participants and dive into a variety of topics focused on strengthening your leadership and confidently managing change:
- Understanding your unique leadership style
- Empowering your team
- Imposter syndrome
- Managing crises and unpredictable change
- Leading with vision and values
- Investing in yourself as an investment in your organization
You will emerge from this program energized and inspired with:
- Increased confidence in your leadership skills
- Tools for effective coaching
- Peer counsel for your organization’s challenges
- Articulated professional goals and an action plan to achieve them
- A community of executive peers and connections
- Accountability to your commitments
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
(4 in-person Circle sessions in Burlington; 2 virtual Circle sessions; 4 Council meetings)
Self-Assessment
Participants will complete a self-assessment to help you envision your goals for yourself and your organization, as well as what you hope to gain from the CEO Solidarity Circle.
Opening Session – Tuesday, January 16th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Burlington
We will begin together in-person in Burlington to commence our journey with teambuilding, forming interpersonal connections, and exploring your personal connection to social responsibility.
Monthly Sessions – February 20th (in-person), March 19th (virtual), April 16th (in-person) and May 21st (virtual) from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
These monthly, 2-hour sessions will include full and small group discussions and opportunities to dive into real-life challenges, including role-playing and peer counsel. Before each session, you will be assigned 15-to-30 minutes of readings or videos to expand your knowledge and awareness and add depth to our conversations.
4 Council Meetings – Dates and location (virtual or in-person) determined by Council members
Each participant will be part of a 4-to-6-person “Council”, with whom you will meet between full group sessions for 90-minutes. You will be given assignments for each Council meeting related to establishing your professional goals and action plan and creating accountability to your commitments.
Closing Session – June 18th from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We will join together for one final in-person gathering in Burlington to share our individual action plans, reflect on our leadership styles, and celebrate our community of peers and their commitments.
We expect VBSR’s CEO Solidarity Circle to sell out again. Reserve your spot now to avoid disappointment! Questions? Please reach out to VBSR Education & Events Manager, Molly Barfuss, at mollyb@vbsr.org.
MEET YOUR FACILITATOR
President, Aplomb Consulting
“My vision is that all employees are fully engaged in change. And I work with leaders to empower their employees through strategic planning, teambuilding, communications, executive coaching and when it’s needed, mediation.
I bring to the table my MBA from Stanford, my four terms serving in the Vermont State Legislature, decades of working with global, national, statewide, and local organizations, and yes, acting, improvisation, and stand-up comedy.
I draw on the wisdom and expertise of John Kotter, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Simon Sinek, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Brene Brown, Susan Cain, John Doerr, Kim Scott, Malcolm Gladwell, Steven D. Levitt, Chip and Dan Heath, insights from real-life situations, numerous case studies, as well as from so many teachers, advisors, and coaches in strategy, coaching, mediation, communication, leadership, and organizational behavior.
I set high standards for my work. I love helping people and organizations create change that has a lasting impact. And I can’t seem to help adding a bit of fun to the mix.”
Jason has cultivated success with organizations as diverse as Gardener’s Supply Company, Hewlett Packard, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Encore Renewable Energy, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and more. We look forward to bringing Jason’s expertise to the VBSR community through this special group rate.
TESTIMONIALS
“Transformational might be overstated, but just a little. Jason’s executive coaching has had a significant impact on my career. Through listening and asking pointed questions, Jason helped me identify what was holding me back. Then, he gave me homework to do in-between sessions that was easy to complete, and packed a lot of power. As much as I’ve seen my own personal growth, I certainly appreciate how my colleagues have noticed and remarked to me about the positive changes.” – Andrew
“Jason did a marvelous job leading our strategic planning retreat. Our leadership team is populated by sharp, type-A personalities which Jason deftly managed with aplomb.” – Allan
“Thanks to Jason Lorber and Aplomb Consulting, our C-Suite successfully made strategic decisions that we had been stuck on for months.” – Michael
