The Freedom to Create Your Destiny

We have a unique gift in the United States, and that gift is freedom. The Declaration of Independence guarantees all of us “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” This means we are free to pursue our lives and our vocations in any way that makes sense to us. Freedom is what makes America so great. What we do with our freedom is up to us. It is our choice. Freedom is our grandest opportunity and should be protected, especially in challenging times. This radio update presents discusses the importance of freedom

Acknowledge Your Inner Leader Presentation

Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself! The Inner Leader program walks participants through four phases of developing their inner leader: Discover, Decide, Design and Dare. Each phase will walk participants through steps that can be used for personal innovation. Participants will take Innovation Actions focused around personal and professional fulfillment

Preparing Nebraska Future Water Leaders: NWLA Academy Class III (2013)

Group communications, Phyllis Schoenholz, UNL Communication and transformational leadership. Dr. Mark Burbach and Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild, UNL Nebraska\u27s instream flow laws and applications, Ann Bleed, board member, Lower Platte Natural Resources District River Basin Compacts; Nebraska\u27s obligations, Michael Jess, water resources engineer; consultant. Conservation along the Central Platte, Mark Peyton, senior biologist, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Central Platte River water issues in regard to habitat for endangered species, Jason Farnsworth, natural resources specialist, Headwaters Corporation & Jerry Kenny, executive director of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Rowe Sanctuary; discussion and viewing of cranes Group project work session Platte Rivers Basin, applying the Elenor Ostrom Principles of Stable Common Pool Resources Management, Ann Bleed, facilitato

How Do You Define Success?

What exactly is success? Many of the books, blogs and other for-profit resources available on success would have us believe that success is making it big in terms of money, power and fame. If you happen to have an executive title or big paycheck, you must be successful, right? This type of success is largely associated with external motivation and gratification. What is the cost of getting “to the top” or “making it big?” Sometimes, we forget to consider the tradeoffs associated with perceived success, or we only hear about the positive elements of money, fame and status. Rarely do we get a glimpse of a person’s entire life-the whole perspective

The Marshmallow Challenge

I discovered the Marshmallow Challenge when taking an online course through Stanford called, “A Crash Course in Creativity” with Dr. Tina Seelig (http://venture-lab.org/creativity). The exercise has been used with groups of all ages from around the world by Tom Wujec, who Seelig calls an, “award-winning designer and innovator” (p. 144). How do you use the Marshmallow Challenge? I use it in a number of different ways: As an icebreaker As a teambuilding exercise To stimulate creativity and innovation As an experiential exercise that adds FUN to learning! Seelig and I have the same thoughts on the importance of fun when leaning and building teamwork. She sums it up wonderfully: In fact, play is an important variable for successful creative teams. Simply put, when you play, you are having fun. When you have fun, you feel better about yourself and your work. And when you feel better, you are much more creative and deliver more. (pp. 144-145) Questions? Please contact me, Connie Reimers-Hild, PhD, CPC, via email ([email protected]) or the University of Nebraska Kimmel Education and Research Center blog (KimmelTV.org). Also, let me know how you use it (I am always looking for new ideas) and how well is works for you! We can all learn from one another!! Reference: Seelig, T. (2012). inGenius: A crash course on creativity. New York: HarperCollins

Making a Pitch for Extension

This worksheet is being used in a series of Extension Board training throughout Southeast Nebraska. The steps are designed to help Extension Board members connect with their Extension Why so they can help pitch Extension to others. Why focus on Why? Because people... Connect with Purpose (The Why Factor) Are Motivated by Personal Fulfillment & Passion (I found this in my research on the Entrepreneurial Learner) Make Most Decisions Based on Emotion Good luck and let me know if you need any help or have any feedback to share by emailing me (Dr. Connie at [email protected]

The Increasing World Population: A Call for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation

According to the United Nations, the world’s population hit 7 billion on October 31, 2011. The United Nations is projecting the world population to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. The new population landmark set off alarms in governments and organizations around the world. Most of the growth will occur in the poorest and least developed regions of the world, which already must work to resolve issues related to shortages of quality food, soil, air and water. Many people living in these countries also lack access to education, healthcare and global political capital. This white paper discusses the importance of innovation to address issues associated with current population growth trends

Acknowledge Your Inner Leader Presentation

Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself! The Inner Leader program walks participants through four phases of developing their inner leader: Discover, Decide, Design and Dare. Each phase will walk participants through steps that can be used for personal innovation. Participants will take Innovation Actions focused around personal and professional fulfillment

Entrepreneurial Leadership and Teamwork: The Key to Innovation in the 21st Century

Entrepreneurial leadership and continuous innovation are vital components of 21st century communities and organizations. Entrepreneurial leaders must realize the importance of environmental, social and global issues while creating an atmosphere of innovation designed to help followers become more entrepreneurial themselves. Entrepreneurial individuals and teams have the ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, innovate, take risks, adapt to rapid change and marshal resources to achieve their goals. When individuals come together as an effective team, they can produce a synergy to meet the demands of a rapidly changing and competitive work environment. Therefore, entrepreneurial leaders must develop entrepreneurial individuals and teams while integrating innovation throughout their organizational culture. This interactive session will present research-based information on entrepreneurial leaders and teams. The session will also provide opportunities for discussion and active learning designed to increase the entrepreneurial leadership capacity of individuals and teams with a specific focus on innovation

The Nebraska Water Leaders Academy: Blending Science with Research and Engagement

Nebraska faces increasing challenges to its water resources due to changing climate, mounting demand for freshwater, aging infrastructure, declining aquatic species and declining water tables and stream flows in some areas, with unprecedented floods in others. These challenges require new and innovative leadership approaches for sustainable water management. In response, the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy (NWLA) was created through a partnership between the Nebraska State Irrigation Association and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to prepare Nebraska’s future leaders in the water arena to meet these challenges. The NWLA was designed to offer an educational and developmental experience to mid-level professionals. Information is presented by experts from various technical disciplines in six sessions, which are held throughout the state of Nebraska over the course of one year. Topics include, but are not limited to, basic hydrology, economics, social issues and competing uses of water in Nebraska. The Academy also includes a strong leadership development component