Leadership Delaware sends Class of 2015 onward and upward

By Joyce Carroll

Special to Delaware Business Times

Concern about the world they would pass on to their five grandchildren prompted Terry and Sandy Strine of Centreville to launch an intensive leadership program six years ago. Together, along with former Gov. Pierre (Pete) du Pont, they created a speaker-based program as a means of demonstrating leadership.

Ultimately, through Leadership Delaware Inc. (LDI), their hope was to increase the state’s pool of Generation Y men and women committed to making a difference for their own generation and future generations, be it within the local community, business, or political arena within the First State. The program has been an overwhelming success.

Accepted candidates come into the 10-month-long program curious but ambitious. They leave confident and capable. Since its inception, the program has graduated 143 men and women from all corners of the state. The most recent graduation, held Dec. 1, included 24 individuals.

Leadership Delaware is a nonprofit organization, and board members and speakers volunteer their time. As classes take place during workday hours twice a month, participants’ employers are also making a commitment by enabling time spent away from the workplace.

National leadership programs targeting management wannabes are not unique. Myriad courses exist, including the century-old Dale Carnegie program.

By contrast, LDI is a homegrown one, and is intended for state residents. Leadership Delaware is not a how-to course, Terry Strine said. The approach, said Strine, has placed LDI head and shoulders above other programs. “We [conducted] a survey and spoke to 42 national leadership programs. We are the most intensive in the nation “¦ We don’t say how to lead, but [that] these are leaders.”

This lead-by-example method, expressed via a diverse cadre of speakers, has a proven track record. One just notes the current leadership roles and involvements of LDI alumni, ranging from award winners like 2014 graduate Dana Eggleston of Hockessin, recipient of Delaware Ace Women’s Network Rising Star Award, to 2015 graduate Anthony Delcollo, an associate with the law firm Cooch And Taylor, who recently announced his candidacy for state Senate in the 7th District.

The lineup of guest speakers is impressive by sheer numbers alone. Over the years, hundreds of speakers, some on numerous occasions, have shared their wisdom and their views. This year’s graduates heard from 141 individuals. Movers and shakers from various arenas within the private and public sectors, from corporate CEOs and nonprofit board presidents to service providers including health-care professionals and educators were among the invited, as were officials in political office ranging from former and current governors to those serving on governmental boards and agencies. All provided keen insight gleaned from their own personal growth experiences. “These are leaders of integrity who put mission first,” Strine said.

Regardless of the subject matter, the Strines make certain that all sides of an issue are presented. In return, fellows become knowledgeable about issues impacting the state and its residents, and have access to those in leadership positions in politics, education, the business community, and beyond.

“Our speakers are overwhelmingly lauded by our fellows,” Strine said.

Acceptance into Leadership Delaware’s 10-month program follows a rigorous application process. Following submission of the nine-page application and receipt of two letters of recommendation, a team comprising the Strines and former alumni interview the candidates.

“We look for a balance,” said 2013 graduate Libbie Zimmer, regarding class formation. She added that that criterion is a broad one and includes a geographic balance as well as a demographic one – participants come from a variety of livelihoods.

Added Strine: “We look at what the person is made of, and the depth and breadth they’ll bring to the program.” Moreover, consideration disregards gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, or political persuasion. Forty-six applicants sought acceptance into the 2016 program, which begins in February. Ultimately, 25 were accepted with an average age of 32.6.

Incoming fellows had the opportunity to learn firsthand what they will take away from Leadership Delaware as well as what’s expected of them at a meet-and-greet event the end of November at the Strines’ barn in Centreville.

Outgoing fellows offered advice on everything from etiquette to delivery. Regarding the former, the importance of handshakes, thank-you notes, and coming to class prepared were stressed. Regarding the latter, fellows shared the rules of engagement around public speaking – whether it be the tone used to ask a question of a speaker or dialogue with another fellow – or the need to be concise when taking a stand. Each had something valuable to pass onto the novice fellows and their inspiring words set the stage for the journey these newcomers would soon take together.

“Transformative. That’s a fair appellation “¦ It explains what will happen to you when you come in with an open heart, enthusiasm, and an open mind,” Delcollo said to the 2016 class, adding, “What is a spark will turn into a burning fire.”

Leadership Delaware has annually selected 18 to 25 of Delaware’s “Best and Brightest”
young leaders to join its program for the upcoming year. Meet the Class of 2016: