LeaderSurf - Leadership Development Done Differently - Announces 2018 Experiential Leadership Development Program Dates

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LeaderSurf is shaking up the leadership development industry with its experiential approach to developing leaders.  By combining international travel, humanitarian aid, executive coaching, leadership assessments, learning modules, mindfulness and daily surfing lessons, the LeaderSurf program immerses participants in a highly experiential week of learning and development. With the 2017 LeaderSurf programs receiving amazing press and feedback from participants and media outlets, program organizers have scheduled three sessions for 2018. "The amazing feedback and engagement that participants and their sponsoring organizations shared in the inaugural year of LeaderSurf has given us confidence that our unique approach to leadership development is making a profound impact," according to Brian Formato, the founder and president of LeaderSurf.

With the current war for talent companies are struggling to fill jobs and one of the biggest pain points is finding "ready now" leaders.  There is a clear leadership gap between those retiring and the next generation of workers.  Companies have two choices, either buy talent or build it. However, few companies effectively build leadership capability.  According to the ASTD, US companies alone spend over $150 billion annually on training and development, but very few programs deliver sustainable behavior change.

There is a clear flaw in the approach to leadership development, and the industry thought leaders have all identified the problem with classroom learning.  However, none have clearly articulated a better solution.

LeaderSurf's holistic approach engages the mind, body and soul. Small groups of 6-10 participants spend a week together in Playa Santana, Nicaragua where they immerse themselves in a learning paradise. The clean water humanitarian aid project teaches servant leadership through a hands-on approach to helping a community in need.  Formato, LeaderSurf's founder, describes leadership "as a selfless act," and models that behavior.  During the first year of the program, the clean water humanitarian aid project installed over thirty water filters providing Nicaraguan families with a clean and sustainable source of over 3,000 gallons of drinking water daily. 

Another unique component of the LeaderSurf program is the daily surfing lessons that teach participants self-awareness and the importance of learning to embrace failure as learning.  "Even the best surfers in the world wipeout every time they go surfing," according to Formato. Learning to fail, iterate and adjust are important leadership skills.

Past program participants have attended from MetLife, FCB Global, and The Motley Fool and have come from the USA, Norway and South Africa.  The program attracts companies looking for a unique approach to enhancing leadership talent. Feedback on the program has been very positive with attending companies integrating LeaderSurf into their learning agenda.  Through the unique experiential approach to leadership development, LeaderSurf has built a clear return on the investment for companies considering the program. LeaderSurf also offers leadership retreats that can be built specifically for a company to have a closed week-long program. 

According to FCB Global's Suhana Gordhan a past LeaderSurf participant, "LeaderSurf formalized some of the leadership instinct I had. It allowed me to make sense of my weaknesses and adopt strategies to overcome them. I've always suffered a sense of Imposter Syndrome and since doing the course, the doubting voices in my head have lessened somewhat, and even when they're there, I've learned how to shut them up."

LeaderSurf's biggest challenge is breaking the old paradigm that learning must occur in a classroom under florescent lights versus in a tropical paradise.  LeaderSurf's 2018 program dates include February 4-9^th, May 13-18^th and November 11-16^th

Organizations interested in sending participants can learn more at LeaderSurf.com

Contact:
Brian Formato
704-966-9819
[email protected]

SOURCE LeaderSurf LLC