Published April 2003

Executives learn art
of leadership at center

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

Leadership is crucial in the business world, usually making the difference between successful CEOs and companies and those who only wish they were.

Leadership is also important for organizations that are thrust into leadership roles by their very nature, such as economic development groups.

And some companies have an expertise for developing those leadership qualities in ways that are uniquely effective, thus creating a market niche for themselves as a resource for leadership training.

Those elements recently brought together nearly 50 business and economic development executives at a new corporate leadership training and retreat center — Scimitar Ridge — near Anacortes.

The March event was one of a half-dozen leadership conferences that the Economic Development Association of Skagit County has held for its members at Scimitar Ridge, but this time the group was joined by Deborah Knutson, president of the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, and a staff aide.

“We really wanted to experience the leadership conference and also begin more dialogue with the Skagit County economic development group to see if there are areas we can work together on in developing our individual economies,” Knutson said. “I'd really like to get as many of our board members as possible to attend one of these sessions, not only for the contacts with Skagit County, but also to explore how the leadership program might help our board and staff.”

The third participant in the conference was the presenting group from Scimitar Ridge, including founder Jeff Jani, a former Microsoft executive experienced in developing technology markets as well as accelerating CEO and corporate team leadership performance.

Jani created the 170-acre Scimitar Ridge ranch and business retreat to host strategic planning and leadership training gatherings, targeting corporations and nonprofit agencies in the King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom County region.

“High-performance leadership is about adaptability,” he said. “Executives learn how to identify the best possible solutions to challenges and then execute those solutions based on what's going on around you and your company, whether you like it or not. That type of leadership helps executives to develop a mental toughness and focus that creates self-confidence, commitment and adaptability.”

The short morning session presented by Jani's leadership team emphasized ways to develop superior, performance-oriented leaders, a sampling of what companies and groups could sign up for in more extensive formats to help them develop an edge in their marketplace or fund-raising efforts.

Mark Lowry, whose military and civilian career has included working with and developing high-performance leaders, talked to the group about ways in which U.S. Army Special Forces and elite units from other military services have empowered themselves to stand out in challenging situations.

Another Scimitar Leadership Academy presenter at the program, Jim Sorenson, an accomplished corporate facilitator and strategist for 22 years for Microsoft, Intel and Boeing, talked about ways to leverage relationships in times of uncertainty and how to enhance corporate productivity through leadership training and developing innovative management teams.

A guest speaker at the program was Capt. Kim Buike, former commander of Naval Station Everett and now head of the University of Washington's Navy ROTC program, who discussed how elite U.S. Navy personnel apply leadership thinking and team-building techniques in difficult circumstances.

Jani said after the program that he welcomed the presence of the Snohomish County EDC staff and that he is “especially interested” in reaching Snohomish County businesses with word of the new Scimitar Ridge facility.

For more information, contact Jani at 360-588-9266 or visit www.ScimitarRidge.com on the Web.

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