The enduring mission of the Tobias Center is inspiring leadership excellence on a national scale. Special access to the Center’s work will be furnished to Indiana citizens for the distinct purpose of enhancing leadership within the state.
The Vision
The Hoosier Fellows Program is a thoughtful blend of theory and practice. The examination of leadership is conducted in an environment of academic excellence and ongoing research. At the same time, it is solidly grounded in real world experiences. Every month a new theme is explored. Sessions are led by outstanding IU faculty as well as by leading outside experts.
Selection Criteria
Each year, the Hoosier Fellows Program admits 20-30 high-potential emerging leaders from all around Indiana. They represent a cross-section of business, education, government, religion, medicine and the non-profit sector. Ideal candidates hold positions of increasing responsibility and show promise for steady moves upward. It is preferred that the Hoosier Fellows hold a baccalaureate or more advanced degree, but in lieu of that, leadership experience may be considered. The program is designed for but not limited to the more experienced, senior level executive.
Program Format
The Hoosier Fellows meet monthly for ten months starting in January. There are no meetings in July or August. The sessions begin on a Thursday evening with dinner and an evening program and conclude about 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Many of the activities are held in Indianapolis, but other sessions take place in a variety of locations that offer laboratories on leadership. There is homework to do between sessions. Hoosier Fellows are expected to be present at all meetings.
Program Cost
The program fee for the 2009 Hoosier Fellows Program is $10,000. This fee covers all costs for the program including, books, meals and lodging at the ten monthly sessions and helps defray the cost of speakers, materials and administration. Fellows may be sponsored by communities, companies, or other organizations
The Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence is able to offer a limited number of partial scholarships. These scholarships are based on organizational limitations (in the case of non profit and government employees) and individual need.
Goals
The Hoosier Fellows Program is dedicated to developing leadership in experienced, emerging leaders and to expanding their network of contacts. In this way, the Hoosier Fellows Program is different from the various community leadership programs throughout the state whose goals are to develop leaders who can work to help those communities work better. Our goal is complementary: the focus is on the individual and his or her performance within the organization. Hoosier Fellows gain new skills and leadership competencies. As a result, their organizations become stronger and more successful. Ultimately, enriched leadership in many sectors of the economy clearly benefits local communities and the state as a whole.
Speakers and Program Materials
Recognized speakers who are leadership experts present workshops and spend time in small group discussions with the Hoosier Fellows. Distinguished University faculty members lead portions of each session. The program participants are provided with books and other written materials to read between meetings. The current and classic leadership literature offers varied perspectives on substantive leadership issues and helps form the basis of inquiry and examination.
Narratives
In keeping with other aspects of the Tobias Center and its research mission, a distinctive feature of the Hoosier Fellows Program is the sharing, and debriefing of narratives or stories about leadership, especially any trials or crises experienced. Such narratives are a part of the research program of the Tobias Center and help to unite and improve the networking of the fellows themselves.
Reflection
The Hoosier Fellows Program structures shared experiences that call for reflection about what leadership in context is. These shared experiences sometimes require the fellows to meet elsewhere than Indianapolis. Examples of shared experiences can include examinations of leadership in the military, religious organizations, nonprofits, sports, and other venues. The reflections on leadership are accomplished both in groups of various sizes and individually. Participants are encouraged to keep journals of their thinking and development.
Themes
The Hoosier Fellows Program focuses on leadership elements and leadership contexts. The elements include various leadership styles such as servant leadership, transformational leadership, transactional leadership, coaching leadership, shared leadership, and more. The program includes an in-depth individual assessment of each Fellow’s leadership style – its strengths and vulnerabilities and how different situations may require different styles. Other sessions focus on thinking strategically, leading change, ethics and legal issues, and a study of leadership failures and successes. Leadership is studied in contexts including leadership in such arenas the military, government, education, sports and entertainment, entrepreneurial enterprises, philanthropic and community organizations.
Interaction with the Tobias Center
The Hoosier Fellows have contact with the Tobias Chair (a rotating position for a prominent leader who is in residence from time to time during the year), and with the Faculty Fellows, the scholars who are central to the research mission of the Tobias Center. From time to time other leaders, both locally and nationally, are a part of the training.
Case Studies
Cases and the case method of teaching play a part in the Fellows Program training. Also, assessment of one’s own leadership skills and those of others are taught.
Additional Information
If you have questions or would like additional information on the Hoosier Fellows Program, please contact:
Carol Madison
Director for Programs
Phone: 317.274.4871
Fax: 317.274.3312
Email: caamadis@iupui.edu2009 Application deadline is September 26, 2008
- Application Form
Please mail application materials to:
Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence
BS 4032Q
801 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5151
