Conference helps grow leadership skills

FLORENCE - Before she came to the Shoals Economic Development Association's leadership conference Tuesday, Susan Maruk said she hasn't been to a leadership seminar in about 15 years.

Maruk, the group supervisor for Walgreens' Call Center in Muscle Shoals, said the job of supervisor has come a long way since then.

"In previous years, you were pretty much taught about how you had awesome responsibility and power," Maruk said. "That really is not the case anymore ... people have to be involved in their own jobs (and) in the decisions that are made in those jobs in order to keep their loyalty."

Maruk was one of many supervisors and personnel from around the Shoals area to participate in the two-day conference, which ends today. Participants focus on how they can learn about teamwork, role responsibilities and communication, among other traits.

"It's basically a class on how to manage people or how to handle people," said Kendall Haywood, Alabama Industrial Development Training's leadership development manager. "The class is a refresher course for people who've been in supervision for a long time (and) for brand new people who are just starting out in supervision."

Jeanean Holland, of Walgreens' Customer Care Center in Muscle Shoals, said it was an excellent program.

"It's not just listening, you're participating," Holland said. "We've learned quite a bit about interaction with your employees and how to be good listeners and communicators."

Judy Keenum, special events coordinator for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, said participants take advantage of the opportunity to meet new people and engage in business networking.

"They have such a good experience that the graduates will help recruit or encourage new people to participate," Keenum said.

She said that a similar program is available for young adults. The seminar, called "Youth Leadership Shoals," teaches high school juniors skills similar to the adult program, from teamwork and etiquette to resume writing and community service.

Keenum said they're looking for a diverse group of students that have "potential for leadership (and) those who already may have good skills."

She said a fee is not charged to participants, thanks to business sponsorships.

"There are some areas that charge as much as $2,000," Keenum said. "Finances don't prohibit a child from getting to be a part of the program. And we like that."