Leading in Uncertain Times

Screenside Chats are informal, and interactive, virtual conversations around leadership. Each chat will explore a different aspect of leadership and how we can apply the lessons to our daily lives.

This chat will focus on how to talk to your team during uncertain times. Drawing her wealth of business experience, Pam will lead a guided conversation on how leaders can serve as an honest, yet calming, influence for their teams.

About Our Facilitator

Pam Messiner, CPA, Chief Financial Officer.

Pam is a unicorn of sorts. She is a CPA by schooling and experience and then she took the road less traveled. She worked for Large Accounting Firms, Multinational Corporations and Entrepreneur entities. In a career that spanned many decades, she has been a CPA, CFO, COO, CEO, StayAtHome mom, retiree and now a Coach of sorts. She worked in several countries in several continents. Pam hails from the best Fort Ever – Fort Wayne, IN.

While she didn’t grow up here, she is a Hoosier through and thru. Pam comes to us from a previous large company where she was President and CFO. Like most CFO’s numbers get her excited and implementing systems that streamline production are her specialty.

She holds her degree in Accounting from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Pam worked and lived in many countries around the world, don’t be afraid to ask her where!

Envision the Future, Enlist Others

Together we will explore why leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.

Learning Objectives

Understand how to envision the future by imagining exciting

Explores methods to enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations

About Our Facilitator

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners.

Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has worked in the healthcare field for fourteen years, where she developed her skills in leadership, project management and facilitation. Tisha served as an internal coach for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she worked to enhance the patient experience by cultivating a culture of service.

Tisha is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.

Maneuvering the Minefields of Communication

The fact is men and women communicate differently. In this session, participants will learn how to take ownership of a room, let go of self-doubt and utilize their skills to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in the business world. While this session is geared toward women, all individuals will take away valuable insights.

Learning Objectives

Take ownership of the room

Let go of self-doubt

Utilize your vocal tools

Remove words that make you sound less confident

Understand the power of silence

About Our Facilitator

Angie Rogers-Howell is a Wife, Mom, Step-mom, Nonnie, Small Business Owner, and much more. In 2012, she took a risk and took the last paycheck from her previous job to start her own marketing firm, Farmhouse Creative.

Angie believes in the power of women and actively strives to empower the lives of women around her. In 2017, Angie received the Vivian Z. Conley Award honoring women who push for equality and empowerment of women and children and was a nominee for the ATHENA Young Professional Award. In 2015, Angie was recognized as one of East Central Indiana’s “20 under 40″ recipients. Angie was awarded the 2014 Spirit of Small Business Award from the Muncie Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, she was awarded the Indiana Small Business Development Center’s IMPACT Award.

Angie is a member of the Altrusa Club of Muncie and a graduate of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program. You might also see her on stage singing and dancing at Muncie Civic Theatre. She is also co-host of the Gone Boss podcast.

On the home front, Angie is wife to Matt; Mom to ZuZu and Step-Mom to 3. In her free time, Angie enjoys reading, watching trashy TV, and crafting.

Identifying and Developing Leaders from Within

A core value of Steel Dynamics are the right people in the right place at the right time. Step one is to hire the right people through an extensive application, testing and interview process. The next step is to on-board the new hire in a positive, inclusive way through orientation, introduction to SDI safety and production culture and setting expectations in development of knowledge in processes and operations. Progress tracked through certifications and reviews identify the right place for the team member to excel. Identifying leadership potential is found through the interaction with other team members, testing and the individuals participation in discretionary activities. Development through training programs on and off site, focus on both situational training and sound business practices. These development practices produce a pool of employees equipped and ready for the next level of leadership.

Learning Objectives

Hire Smart – take a wide view of the organizations needs, both present and future

Communicate clear expectations

Hold accountable and provide timely feedback

Identify development needs, and provide training opportunities

About Our Facilitator

Toby Powell has 21 years of experience within the steel industry. His career began with a large regional rebar fabricator as a manager in training and quickly moved to purchasing steel from multiple mills to insure proper inventory levels. Hired by Steel Dynamics in 2003 as Purchasing Manager for SDI Pittsboro, he was part of the team that restarted the idled mill. In his purchasing role he developed procedures for purchasing, receiving and maintaining appropriate levels of raw materials used in production of steel. Promoted to Materials and Transportation Manager in 2014, Toby manages the department responsible for receiving raw materials, moving product on site and shipping finished goods. His department performs most of the entry level hiring for the plant.

Toby obtained his BS in Mathematics from Western Illinois University and enjoys many different activities outside of work.

Person-Centered Motivation

Learn how to motivate different types of employees and ignite workplace enthusiasm, motivation, and engagement.

Create a “person-centered” relationship with your employees that will help create a positive workplace environment where employees demonstrate emotional traits like empathy, enthusiasm, motivation, and resilience.

Learning Objectives

Learn how to motivate different types of employees

Explore how to create a person-centered relationship

Learn the difference between communication and connection

Learn about the three different types of organizational employee

About Our Facilitator

E. Jake Gamble is the owner of Leadership Support Services, LL., specializing in executive coaching, leadership and performance management, staff development, keynote and conference speaking. Mr. Gamble has taught business courses at the university level for twenty years. He is currently an adjunct business professor for Purdue Fort Wayne (PFW) and Indiana Tech. He is also heavily involved with PFW’s Division of Corporate Training and Leadership Development Certificate Program as a lead trainer. In addition to his corporate work, Mr. Gamble has also provided leadership training and development to staff/faculty at Indiana Tech, Indiana Wesleyan, Ball State University, and Ivy Tech Community College. He has a Master’s of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Professional Credential in Executive Coaching from The (John) Townsend Institute of Leadership and Counseling. In his spare time, Jake enjoys playing the blues and spending time with his two-year old French Bulldog, Frankie.

Toxicity in the Kitchen

How do we move the professional kitchen into an era of safe and positive impact for growth and appeal to the next generations? How can we fold traditional apprenticeship training techniques into a more affirming experience for the apprentice and the trainer? What is the potential of the future professional kitchen?

As a trade based industry, professional kitchens are hurting world wide. We have high turnover, high stress, slow growth, and minimal pay. The only way we can move from our past, into a positive future, is to adjust to modern culture and societal standards of a positive work environment.

Many cultures believe and use food as medicine, comfort, and a way to show love, the professional cook’s kitchen be the same!

Learning Objectives

Build a positive learning environment in the kitchen.

Attract next generations to the professional kitchen industry.

Grow your business through growth of your staff.

About Our Facilitator

Kyle Reninger was born and raised in Clearwater, FL. He attended the University of South Florida and has worked in the service and retail industry for the past 20 years. He and his partner, Amanda, moved to Muncie in 2008 were Amanda attended Ball State University for her Master’s Degree and Artist Diploma. They found great community and connections in Muncie, and decided to continue their life in Muncie and start a business. Kyle is the President of Acquisitions and Amanda is the Owner of Sea Salt & Cinnamon. Amanda is the master of the science and math in the kitchen, while Kyle is focused on developing new savory items and expansion of distribution. Through SLA and the Emergence Program, Kyle and Amanda have gained the training and knowledge to help grow the Muncie Community. In their free time, Kyle and Amanda can be found enjoying Downtown Muncie, at the movies, or at home with their three dogs and six cats.

Etiquette Skills Brush Up

Do you HATE going to a meal with a co-worker who doesn’t know their fork from a –? Are you self-conscious about your own skills when dining out with a client, co-worker or manager? Participate in this session to brunch–I mean brush–up on your etiquette skills!

We’ll share a hands-on lunch together, step by step. You’ll be able to ask questions as we go. At the end you should be a little more confident and a bit more ready to tackle the next table to which you’re invited.

Learning Objectives

Experience a meal in a safe learning setting where mistakes are expected and questions are encouraged

Explore different scenarios and settings when the skills discussed could be implemented

Practice mingling with your peers

About Our Facilitator

A Chicago native and Muncie transplant, James has made his home here since 2000. He is a potter, theater-goer and newly minted Director of HR and Employee Experience at Minnetrista. He has been a storyteller, writer and board member with the Facing Project. James also serves our community on the board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie and as a member of the Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Selection Committee.

A Sticky Place to Be

You may have heard the phrase, “It’s not easy being at the top!” It can be argued that being stuck in the middle is even more difficult. Often persons step into middle-management roles only to quickly realize they are in a very sticky situation. If middle-managers are not diligent about their path, they can find themselves being pulled under by forces they don’t even recognize until it is too late.

This engaging interactive session explores the challenges faced by those entering and those continuing to serve in middle management roles.

Learning Objectives

Explore and dissect their own personal and professional challenges of a management role

Recognize common issues to the role, and recognize they are not alone in the fight

Discover resources that can assist in their journey

Begin creating a clearer path to avoid the pitfalls of middle-management

About Our Facilitator

Ted Ward, the founder of Achieve Onward, has more than 25 years of organizational leadership experience, often serving in a middle-management role as a change agent with groups and organizations needing to pivot toward new strategies and practices.

Having a lifelong spirit of entrepreneurship, Ted has enjoyed numerous ventures in roles requiring a healthy understanding of customer service and leadership. He also enjoyed some time performing with ComedySportz Indianapolis – where he discovered many of the teambuilding, leadership, and professional development practices/philosophies he had been using all along, are parallel to many key attributes of Improv comedy (e.g. “Who’s Line is it Anyway?”) as well. Ted continues to borrow from these key attributes in his ongoing work in helping individuals, teams, and organizations to improve and succeed.

Ted has served with numerous not-for-profit organizations, is a former Chief Probation Officer and President of the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana, and he currently serves in a dual role as administrator and faculty at Ball State University. His personal mission statement reads: “I intend to encourage, inspire, and support growth and development among the people I influence.”