ASCE Monthly Luncheon, December 2, 2010

1. ITE’s Experience
with Leadership
Development Becky White, PTP
Sain Associates, Inc.
ASCE Monthly Luncheon
December 2, 2010

2. Presentation Outline
 SDITE Leadership Program
 Background
 Approach
 Program Overview
 Personal Experiences
 Open Discussion

3. What Is SDITE?
 Southern District Institute of Transportation
Engineers
 Nine Southeastern States
Alabama Georgia
Kentucky Louisiana
Mississippi North Carolina
South Carolina Tennessee
Virginia
 Composed of Transportation Professionals
from Private & Public Sectors (Engineers &
Planners)

4. Key Question
What’s keeping our members from
becoming more-effective leaders?
Too busy to figure out how to do better?

5. Background
 Outcome of SDITE 2010 Strategic Plan
 Two member surveys -- compelling
need!
 86% indicated leadership development is training
needed
 60% did not know where to get training
 72% indicated ITE should establish a leadership
program
 SDITE Board Mandate → establish a
program!
 Volunteers prepared training materials

6. What’s Different?
 First known ITE Leadership Program
 Overview, practical, and “how to”
training
 Based on members needs
 Focused on outcomes and application
 Developed by experienced/committed
volunteers (SDITE Leadership Oversight
Team)

7. Pilot Session Goals
Leadership Team facilitates workshops
in each Section for 12-15 upcoming
leaders
Low
 Attendees motivated to acquire
Cost!
leadership skills and willing to
facilitate future workshops
 2-3 year results: 100-200 future SDITE
leaders with a road map, ITE passion,
and ownership of leadership
development

8. First Pilot Program
Participants In The
Georgia Sessions

9. SDITE Approach
 Provide a clear road map
 Condensed reading materials
 Engaging - dialogue / shared
experiences
 Facilitated by senior SDITE leaders
 Team building / program ownership
(Importance of Section Champions)
 Emphasis on implementation and
evaluation

10. AL Section Pilot
Program

11. NC Section Pilot Program

12. Program Overview
 Leadership Overview
 Five Key Leadership Characteristics
 Eight Core Management Practices

13. Key Leadership Characteristics
Creating a
Having a Positive Shared Vision
Influence
Developing New Creating
Leaders Positive Change
Demonstrating
Character

14. Core Management Practices
 Conducting Effective Meetings
 Communicating Effectively
 Building Effective Relationships with
Elected Officials
 Creating Vision and Action Plans
 Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders
 Mentoring Others
 Evaluating Leadership Effectiveness

15. “The Results”
 “The SDITE leadership program was
incredibly motivational and has armed me
with excellent tools to be a more effective
leader”
 “Excellent program to develop and improve
ITE members to become leaders and to give
something back to ITE”
 “Leadership training had been sorely lacking
in our profession…something that is
absolutely necessary for success in our
careers”

16. Personal Observations
 A retreat type setting is helpful
 Small groups support interaction and
relationship building
 A mix of young and seasoned professionals
is best
 Allow time for dialogue and “war stories”
 Multiple smaller sessions are better than one
marathon session
 Learning that isn’t internalized won’t be
retained
 The true test of effectiveness is changed

17. What’s Next
 International ITE Task Force to adapt
program for use nationally
 Alabama Section ITE to host the
program for ALDOT in December &
January
 Other Sections in SDITE to host
program for members during 2011

18. Leadership development may be
a long and winding road . . .

19. . . . but the view is worth it!

20. Open Discussion
 Do you agree that Leadership Training is
an under served need among engineering
professionals?
 Do professional organizations like ASCE
have a duty or opportunity to provide
leadership training?
 How can young professionals best tap
into the wisdom and experience of senior
professionals?