Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the program?
Credibility, Influence, and Impact includes three residential weeks, spread out over approximately eight months.
What does the program entail?
These sessions are coupled with intersession group and individual coaching, focused on helping you apply learning while advancing important, real-world projects from your own day-to-day work.
Who else participates in Credibility, Influence, and Impact?
Each Credibility, Influence, and Impact cohort is comprised of accomplished leaders (generally Director, VP level and above) from a diverse array of global corporations and NGO’s, as well as Conversant’s faculty.
Why is the program 8 months long?
Systemic change takes time.
This program is designed for accomplished leaders who have had significant success in their careers already.
At this level of development, changes in credibility, influence, and impact will be achieved by deep personal reflection and real world application to challenges that matter most.
The 8-month experience gives you the opportunity to test out new skills and leadership thinking in the real world on a real project of personal importance.
…And to receive help from the insightful observations of other participants and program faculty.
The program is about creating lasting changes, which take time. Systemic changes allow us as leaders to not only become reliable for our own credibility, influence and impact but to help develop and grow it in others throughout our organizations. None of that happens overnight…
Horses? Really?
Really.
The first residential week is held at The Home Ranch in Steamboat Springs, CO. Approximately a third of this first week is spent working with horses.
We see a distinct parallel between one’s experience in a different environment with a horse and one’s individual leadership style. With horses – as in the boardroom – you gain credibility by who you are.
“The techniques… used to calm fear and replace it with trust and partnership … [are] crucially important to managers and executives. Horses and cattle are ideal to work with because they give you immediate, obvious feedback when you’re trying to get them to do something.” – Mickey Connolly, co-founder and CEO of Conversant, quoted in Time Magazine, 2006.
How are the three residential weeks different?
Week One: Credibility Conference – How do I become immediately credible?
The Home Ranch, Steamboat Springs, CO
Our ability to influence people and events starts with the level of credibility we have. During the first week, you’ll focus on building credibility by improving the quality and timing of your conversations. We’ll use lessons learned both in the classroom and with horses to demonstrate the power of your conversations in building credibility.
Week Two: Influence Conference – How do I influence?
A Colorado resort
This introspective and personal second conference helps you find your source of unique influence and generate results in any circumstance. It helps you identify ways in which you may derail your influence so you can adjust course quickly. This conference includes both classroom experiences and extensive work in small groups.
Week Three: Impact Summit – What conversation is it time for now?
Boulder, CO
The third and final conference explores how conversational timing dramatically increases your impact and agility in ever-changing conditions. You’ll spend significant time and attention working with authentic projects in both whole group and focused breakouts..
Do I have to participate in all three residential conferences? Could I attend one conference at a later date?
We require participants to attend all of the conferences during a single program. And we invite you to clear the time for yourself in your calendar this year.
Our reasons?
The material and discussions build from one session to the next. Much of the learning for this program is inspired and supported by cohort participants. Participants quickly form a well-connected learning community. The strength of the cohort depends on your consistent participation. (Exceptions for emergency situations do occur.)
What is the ROI project? Why is it important?
We ask you to identify an authentic project or “business challenge” from your professional life, to work on throughout the eight months.
Learning takes deep root when you are able to apply your new skills immediately – and see an immediate difference in your outcomes!
You’ll use your ROI project as a learning lab to test your new capabilities and insights.
Your learning and development will accelerate when you see immediate results.
What kind of coaching will I receive?
As part of the program, you’ll receive both group (peer-to-peer) and individual coaching with a professional Conversant coach.
Coaching helps you deepen your understanding of the principles, and discover immediate and important application.
These new insights and applications will help you drive dramatically improved business value and personal satisfaction.
The Next Step
Contact us for more information about our Credibility, Influence and Impact Program.
At your request, we will schedule a phone conversation to explain the details of the program and you can decide whether it’s a good use of your time, money, and talent.