Reflecting on Q4 of 2024: A Time for Growth & Inspiration
As we enter Q4 of 2024, it's a busy time for our business. Yet, with the changing seasons and a new year on the horizon, I find myself drawn into a period of formal reflection. What have we accomplished? What can we be proud of? Where can we improve, and how? These questions, among others, guide our pursuit of progress, success, and continuous improvement.
With these thoughts in mind, I had the wonderful opportunity to work on both personal and professional growth alongside colleagues from around the world. This month, I attended the annual ‘Blanchard Summit for Partners’ in beautiful Dana Point, California, located between San Diego and Los Angeles.
The Power of a Like-Minded Community
It is rare to find oneself among a large group of like-minded individuals, all dedicated to helping organizations—large and small—improve, grow, and succeed, all while striving to make the world a better place. You might be wondering if we spent the event holding hands and singing "Kumbaya" in celebration of “soft skills” in business. Rest assured, executives—we did not! Although there may have been some dancing here and there.
In fact, the summit featured vast opportunities to learn, balanced between formal & informal exchanges. We engaged in meaningful discussions about the inner workings of companies worldwide, with over 40 countries represented. It was a unique opportunity to gain insights from diverse perspectives.
Learning from Industry Leaders
A significant highlight of the summit was hearing from leaders representing national & international organizations: Cal Fire, The BIC Corporation, & Amazon. They shared how partnering with Blanchard has elevated their companies in countless ways. For instance, Amazon sharing their commitment in developing their 200,000+ managers in, amongst others, Situational Leadership® II. Testimonials were powerful and insightful, and questions welcomed and answered thoughtfully.
Listening to CEO Scott Blanchard was another standout moment. He shared the ongoing story of Blanchard, from its inspiring beginnings with his parents, Ken and Margie Blanchard, to today’s vision for future leaders. His message was enlightening, informative, and inspiring for this group of global partners. It encouraged us to leverage Blanchard’s solutions for continued success. I had the privilege of connecting with colleagues from India, Korea, Australia, China, Hungary, Brazil, the U.S., Canada, and Germany, discussing the similarities and differences in our business environments and cultures. I was struck by how adaptable Blanchard's solutions are, proving relevant and essential for creating high performing and ethical work cultures across the globe.
A Personal Highlight: Chatting with Ken Blanchard
After more than a quarter-century in the leadership industry, the true highlight for me was the chance to spend five minutes with one of my key career inspirations, Ken Blanchard himself. Though he was present each day, it never seemed like the right moment to introduce myself. Ken, the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘The One Minute Manager’ and co-creator of the Situational Leadership® model in 1969 (now Situational Leadership® II or SLII®), profoundly impacted my life. I became certified to teach SLII® just over 20 years ago.
On the final day of the summit, I arrived early for the last session and found Ken sitting alone, waiting for his son Scott to close the event. I seized the moment, went and introduced myself. We chatted about his early days in Toronto, the evolution of his company, and his journey alongside his wife of over 60 years, Margie, as well as members of their family. When I asked if he ever envisioned his journey unfolding as it has, he humbly replied, “Not at all.” Given his extraordinary wisdom, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had said otherwise.
I inquired about an autobiography, and he kindly confirmed that it was in progress, even sharing the title—though I’ll keep that a secret. Throughout our conversation, Ken was kind, patient, caring, and genuinely interested, with not even a hint of self-importance. This is how I have always perceived him through countless interviews and talks. He makes you feel as if speaking with a trusted friend, mentor, or grandfather, genuinely committed to helping others be their best, regardless of whether they are a CEO, middle manager, or just starting out
Leaving the Summit Inspired and Energized
Attending the 2024 Blanchard Summit has left me inspired and motivated to leverage the insights gained for the benefit of our current and future clients. Blanchard solutions are among the worlds’ best in their robust research-based content, along with professional and agile design options. Stay tuned for further details on these newer solutions in the coming weeks at Ferrin, a 12+ year trusted Blanchard Partner. As Ken once said, “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” Our company remains committed to this path and to paying it forward.
Sign up for our Newsletter (at the bottom of this page) for exclusive early access to all of Ferrin's Fervor Blog Posts!