The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Cortex Leadership Consulting has announced the return of the EPIC Leadership Program, a transformative program designed to equip local professionals with the skills necessary to elevate their careers. Applications are now being accepted for this distinguished program.
The EPIC Leadership Program is crafted specifically for emerging leaders, regardless of whether they are new to their company or have been established for years. This initiative seeks to identify and develop top talent within the region, providing participants with the same high-level training typically reserved for senior executives.
Participants in the EPIC Leadership Program will engage in a series of comprehensive learning sessions focused on enhancing communication, intentionality, and other crucial leadership skills. These sessions offer rare insights and strategies, akin to those used in programs designed for global executives.
Lynda Foster, founder and CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, the organization behind EPIC, emphasized the program’s impact: “Ambitious, talented, hard-working professionals want high-level leadership training. Companies in our region and beyond need that training to be practical, contemporary, and affordable. That’s where EPIC has landed so well with US and even international participants and the organizations they serve. We have proven that attending EPIC fast-tracks the building of skill sets that top talent is hungry for right now.”
Mike Rezac, a recent graduate of the EPIC Program, shared his transformative experience: “The biggest takeaway for me was gaining a greater sense of self-awareness and intentionality. The EPIC classes really force you to slow down and address foundational questions with a lot of intentionality. This shift from being on autopilot to actively thinking about these aspects leads to much better outcomes.”
The EPIC Leadership Program is highly personalized, featuring mentoring, coaching, and small group interactions. With only a six-hour monthly commitment over five months, the program is designed to be both interactive and accessible, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Employers who encourage their employees to apply for the EPIC Leadership Program can expect to see improvements in self-awareness, communication, and time management skills. The program’s success is reflected in the positive feedback from past participants and their organizations.
Rezac, an employee at Metis, an EPIC sponsor, highlighted the broader impact of the program: “What we find is it’s been really fruitful not just for the participants but for us as an organization. The participants are highly engaged and take the material seriously, learning not just from Lynda and her team but also from each other. Our hope is to expand the breadth of experience and perspectives by getting a more diverse group together in the region.”
Zakkiiyyaa Morris, another program participant, emphasized the value of the DISC assessment: “The DISC assessment gave me the why behind my actions and decisions. It helped me understand how to communicate effectively, become more intentional, and manage my time better.”
The EPIC Leadership Program offers a unique opportunity to highlight and develop local talent. Interested professionals can learn more and apply at s-rcchamber.org/epic-leadership-training.
-The Salem Times-Register