Everyday Leadership: Leaders should be constant learners
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» Raycom LearningLeadership Ohio, a group of leaders from across Ohio, visited Marietta from July 17 to 19.
Purpose of visiting southeastern Ohio was to research Appalachian issues accomplished through a series of stops at museums, businesses, colleges, and some of our best food establishments. A number of prominent Washington County residents planned and organized the tour, including Charlotte Keim, Renee Steffen, Dave Archer, Henry Burke, Harley Noland, Andy Verhoff, and Gama Perruci.
Thursday evening, we began with a reception at Campus Martius to understand more about the beginnings of the Northwest Territory and Marietta. In period costume, Bill Reynolds told the story of Marietta pioneer Rufus Putnam. As usual, the out-of-town folks were amazed at the significance of Marietta in Ohio and the beginning of the Northwest Territory.
Early the next day, we loaded a Community Action Bus (CABL) and headed to Pioneer Pipe where we received an interesting tour by Mike Archer. We continued on to Belpre, where we were delighted by Nancy Sams' and Henry Burke's description of the role of Belpre and the Underground Railroad in the Northwest Territory.
When we arrived back in Marietta, lunch awaited us at the Levee House.
Marietta College President Jean Scott and Perruci welcomed us to Marietta College and gave us the history of the college and its leadership program. Next, we examined the W. P. Snyder Jr. and cruised on the Valley Gem. Before supper at the Marietta Brewing Company, Harley Noland took us down Front Street and into the Riverside Artist Gallery. The evening ended with buttery corn and confections at the Sweet Corn Festival.
Day three was almost as busy. Harley hosted us on a trolley ride stopping at Mound Cemetery, Ely Chapman Center, Washington State Community College, and Hartline Valley Farms.
Alice Chapman inspired the group with her stories of successes with children and her struggles to build and grow the center.
Washington State President Hatfield talked about higher education in Appalachia. John Walsh described the college's efforts in workforce development. Eric Barrett of the Washington County Ohio State University Extension office did a complete job in explaining issues in Ohio farming.
The director of Leadership Ohio, Kathy Rednour, was so impressed she intends to return to Washington County to kick off the group's annual eight-city tour next year. As you can imagine, I was pleased. You can't have a good understanding of Ohio without studying the beginning, which is us.
I admire people like the Leadership Ohio participants who gave several weekends this year to learn more about Ohio. I hope we can find a couple of Washington County residents to participate next year.
The best leaders are those who strive to continue to develop a deep understanding of their businesses, their communities, and their state.
R. Glenn Ray is the president of RayCom Learning, which helps leaders who want to create an environment where people communicate clearly and choose to commit to organizational goals. He can be reached at 1-888-574-5370, by e-mail rayray@raycomlearning.com, or online www.raycomlearning.com. Everyday Leadership appears each Wednesday on the Business page.
