Riddoch Leaders Group graduation with Generation Thrive
This week we graduated an inspiring team from the inaugural Riddoch Leaders Program, held at the stunning Raidis Estate in Penola, South Australia. We were joined by a number of employers, parents, Riddoch Business & Community Association representatives, the local community and Wattle Range Council’s, Mayor Des Noll.
A wonderful array of tasty nibbles was enjoyed and provided by one of the participant’s catering businesses @PICHNIC. It was a privilege to share in the group’s journey, across our online 12-week personal leadership and coaching program. We witnessed a group of committed and self-motivated participants, as they embraced new concepts and tools to develop skills, habits and attitudes that lead them to success in both their personal and professional lives.
The mayor and other community VIP’s gathered and listened to the inspiring stories.
Over 12 weeks, participants self-paced through the evidence-based modules, received 1:1 coaching and attended group workshops. They developed in-demand and transferrable skills for success including self-leadership and personal accountability, communication, goal planning, time management, and critical thinking.
100% of participants reported on increasing their communication skills, have replaced poor and unhelpful habits, and are taking more accountability in their lives.
86% of participants reported improved relationships and 83% agree they have developed their critical thinking skills and have better time management and organisational skills.
It was clear to see the theme of participants experiences included increases in self-confidence, better time management skills, and clearer future direction. It was incredible to hear about the personal stories they so openly shared at the graduation – and their remarkable improvements are not only inspiring, but they are also eye-opening…reflecting the need for external and targeted personal and professional training opportunities within workplaces, that see their staff and wider community thrive.
We are grateful to the Riddoch Business & Community Association, and Stand Like Stone Foundation through their scholarships for providing this training and coaching program for those within the region and acknowledge the steps they are taking to invest in their business and wider community, to be at their best. They are listening to the experts and acting upon empirical evidence, with the intention to create a more nurturing, sustainable, and motivating work environment, to develop and retain their staff too. McKinsey Health Institute quoted, “Employers have invested unprecedented resources in employee mental health and well-being. With burnout at all-time highs, leaders wonder if they can make a difference”. Their research suggests it is possible and Riddoch’s program outcomes reflect this evidence in the data we collected pre and post their program. Associating inaugural partners including, Timberlink, Messenger Grape Harvesting, Koonara Wines and Raidis Estate – you guys are walking the talk!
We saw an overall statistically significant increase of 23% in participants psychological wellbeing, covering elements of – self-acceptance, environmental mastery, positive relationships, personal growth, autonomy, and purpose in life. Riddoch Business & Community Association will continue prioritising wellbeing and leadership development opportunities, rolling out a new cohort across the region with Generation Thrive in May 2023.
Four of the nine graduates, with others sending in video and written reflections from their work and holiday travels.
Feedback from participants included:
“Before working with my coach, my life had me feeling a little lost between having an idea of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to feel but having no idea how to get there. I craved to be confident and positive but felt like it was too out of reach. Since starting the program, I have become much more confident within myself and about who I am which has helped me gain confidence externally as well.” Reported Chicago from Koonara Wines.
Mark from Timberlink reflected “It gets you to understand yourself a lot, and the place you hold in your environments, to your friends and family, and to yourself. It helps you understand some common negative influences in your life and the ways in which you can change these and be the best version of yourself. It helps you understand how to be happy in where you are and what you're doing, develop some goals that you desire and how to achieve them, and it gives you the chance to understand how to create a positive environment and positive interactions, and it helps you grow for the better.”
Belinda, a RBCA Scholarship winner shared “I have been able to enjoy the silences more in conversations and not feel obligated or compelled to fill the space. I have felt this has led to more productive conversations with clear objectives, especially in a professional environment. Consistently doing a weekly planner to see where my time is spent in a visual format was useful when wanting to make changes to how I spent my time. This program has been a timely reinforcement about the importance of investing in one's self. If we create healthy habits, challenge bias and overall, want to be a good human, I feel we can all go far, make decisions, and opportunities can present themselves. In the future, however near or far, I want to be the best version of myself, make a difference in community and be an active citizen.”
"Personal development fast-tracks participants to achieve their vision of success earlier. Providing opportunities such as Generation Thrive in our community. It not only assists our young people to be the happiest and best versions of themselves but is vital for the long-term sustainability of our small, regional town. The results from the first cohort speak to the success of this program. We're very excited to partner with Generation Thrive for round two." Simone, Riddoch Business & Community Association
We are thrilled to see what is install for these young leaders, and how they will continue to choose growth in the future. We already heard along the grapevine that 2 have since joined the Riddoch Business and Community Association, and others leading the way as role models within their workplaces.