Program Description
Members of STL-ODN share a vision that leaders “see OD as vital in building a thriving region.” Making progress toward seeing that vision become a reality means that leaders must see the excellence and value in what our OD teams do and have confidence in us as leaders within our organizations to get results and influence others.
The wellspring of our capacity as leaders to engage others and build trust lies in our personal authenticity. Knowledge and skills alone aren’t enough. We must collaborate well and our messages, values and personal presence must be congruent.
BrandU: Re-energizing Your Leadership Identity provides an opportunity for participants to explore – and even modify -- their aspirations for professional identity and more fully embody their personal vision through physical presence.
This session’s activities, led by STL-ODN member and COCAbiz Director, Steve Knight and two experienced teaching artists, are designed to move participants from the conformity of ‘safe’ self-description to connect with more authentic aspirations and how to express them. The session helps participants articulate personal brand first through language, then through imagery and finally through physical action.
The activities are fun, challenging and highly engaging. Each participant will do the following:
- Develop language for describing their aspirations for a “brand” in the workplace.
- Create a personal logo and reflect on what behaviors are congruent with your brand.
- Engage in activities that help one align brand aspirations with behavior.
- Use improv exercises to heighten confidence and expressiveness.
- Support other participants and build trust as we each learn to break through perceived personal limitations.
Presenters
Robert Mark Morgan (Design /Visual) has designed professionally in the areas of theatre, museum, and theme park venues. Most recently his work has included set designs for the St Louis Muny productions of Les Miserables and West Side Story. His Avatar the Exhibition (museum exhibit) is currently installed at Experience Music Project in Seattle and is touring museums nationwide. His stage work has been seen nationally at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, FL), Indiana Repertory Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Studio Arena, Cleveland Play House, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), Barrington Stage, Marin Theatre Company, Magic Theatre and American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in San Francisco. Morgan served as an Assistant Professor in Scenic Design at the University of Washington in Seattle for three years before moving to St. Louis. He holds the position of Senior Lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis.
Lee Anne Mathews (Actor) has been a theatre professional for more than 20 years. Originally from the West, she has traveled the world as an entertainer and director, finally landing in St. Louis almost seven years ago. Audiences in this community have seen her at The Muny, New Jewish Theatre, The Orange Girls and at Playhouse at Westport as the Soap Star in the wildly popular Menopause the Musical. She has also been nominated for a Kevin Kline Award for her work in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (also at Westport.) She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association, and has worked as a director, choreographer, stage manager and producer. She is the founder of the Alaska Shakespeare Festival, and a founding member of Freefall Theatre Company. She has taught at COCA for nearly six years and is the theatre teacher at Crossroads College Prep School in St. Louis. Recently she has performed as a key member of the cast in the 2013 St. Louis Muny production of ‘Les Miserables’
Steven N. Knight (Facilitator) serves as Director of COCAbiz, the corporate training division of the Center of Creative Arts (COCA). COCA is the 4th largest multi-disciplinary arts non- profit in the US. Steve has extensive experience in executive & leadership development, succession planning and talent management consulting as well as program design, facilitation and implementation. Before joining COCA, Steve served as Executive Vice President & Partner at Integral Talent Systems Inc. (Palo Alto), Vice President for Consulting & Sales at Achieve Global and as Regional Manager for Psychological Associates Inc. Key clients have included Google, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Alpha Natural Resources, Wells Fargo Advisors, Nestle Purina, Edward Jones and Porter Novelli (Omnicom). Steve holds a B.A from Washington University, a M.Div. from Eden Seminary and many industry certifications. Steve frequently speaks on business creativity and innovation and partners with COCAbiz teaching artists from Dance, Theater and Design to deliver intensive workshops for business organizations seeking to build creative capacity.
St. Louis region's network for OD professionals.