Applications for our 2025-2026 SCIL Program are now open!

Have a colleague, family member, or friend who would benefit from our program? Forward this email to them and let them know we are now accepting applications for our 2025-2026 program that begins in September. Enrollment is limited to 20. Word of mouth continues to be the number one method for new SCILsters to hear about our program. Thank you for your support! Click here to learn more and to apply.

The Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) Class of 2024/2025 spent the day in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The first stop was Seats, Inc., where they learned about the locally owned and managed company. Ryan Roers, CPA, Nordic Group Chief FInancial Officer and SCIL graduate opened the session. He shared the company philosophy of “We before Me”, the company culture that values experience over degrees, and an appreciation for loyalty and promotion from within. SCILsters toured the plant and learned about the redesign that has given the plant a more efficient work flow. Read more about the full January SCIL Day.

We asked our SCIL participants the most valuable portion of the day. Here’s what they had to say:

• “Both the tour of Seats and the portion on Addiction/Recovery/Sauk Co. response. I had no idea of the complexity of a manufacturing plant - very interesting.”

• “Megan’s story was so moving and inspirational. I hope this first sharing of her crucible story is only the beginning and her story of perseverance, strength, and hope can be shared far and wide.”

• “I enjoyed the chance to connect at the “halfway point” with someone else from the group and notice how we each have grown since starting SCIL.”

I noted a different energy in the room for the January session. Can we attribute that to the holiday break, to the joy of being together again or might it be a shift in the trust within the group? One wouldn't know for sure but I hope it's the latter.

What I did observe, however, was when the group got a chance to work together (3x during the day), there seemed to be a new ease and energy in the room. There was a different level of joy in the opportunity to converse and collaborate. That's just my gut feeling. However, one of the SCILsters told me at the after-event social that after she had told her crucible story in December she felt so much lighter.

I think there is a burden of projecting perfection in our culture. Nobody is Facebook-perfect. Showing up flaws-and-all means being REAL and like the poster says: Authenticity is Magnetic! A leader that tells me "I don't know, but let's figure this out" is a real leader. 

At noon in Session 5 we crossed the halfway point threshold. We're now getting to know each other and be comfortable with who we are. The trust bond is building.

I like it. 

From here on out we'll be looking towards May with a note of sadness because we realize it will be over. That said, we should also have the tools in place where we can replicate the Real experience with other people. I hope we're exploring, experiencing and modeling mindsets and behaviors that are transferable.

It's simple. But it's not easy. We're learning together.

Leadership Resource

We started the Extension Retention zoom sessions with our Class of 2023 cohort as a way to discuss practical applications of leadership concepts, half-way between the in-person sessions. In 2024, we started inviting guest speakers.

The February 27, 12-1pm, zoom features Retired Adjutant General Knapp. Click here for the zoom link. 

Join our February 27th “Extension Retention Zoom” with Retired Adjutant General Knapp

Retired Adjutant General Knapp is a fascinating guy: Air Force Academy graduate, flew backseat in F-15’s in Afghanistan, has 3000 flight hours in C-130’s and many more interesting bits to his military career and leadership history. You can read more about him here.