Speakers share ideas at 4th Annual STCC Leadership Conference
STCC Professor Paul Thornton speaks at the Leadership Conference.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – An audience heard “big ideas” from a variety of speakers at the 2018 Leadership Conference held at Springfield Technical Community College’s Scibelli Hall Theater on June 15.
Speakers at the fourth annual conference included faculty from STCC, small business owners, sales professionals and other proven leaders.
“All nine did a great job,” said Paul Thornton, a professor of business at STCC and author, trainer and speaker. “Each one had one or more big ideas – key points about leading. They discussed things like assume positive intent and work on your empathy, make sure when you’re presenting that you’re clear on your message and find your sweet spot, the spot that will make you most effective.”
One speaker, Nicole Murdoch, who has owned a small business and works for a consulting firm, discussed how different organizations require different styles of leadership. Technology companies, for example, hire people who are experts in what they do.
Speaker Nicole Murdoch makes a point at the Leadership Conference.
“They are the ‘thought leaders,’” Murdoch said. “And the leadership team is there to remove barriers and get out of their way. This ‘servant leadership’ is about asking the people hired to do the job, ‘How can I help you get the work done?’”
By contrast, this type of leadership style would not work on a battlefield. Instead, a “command and control” leadership style is necessary. A military commander would not ask a soldier “How can I help you?” Murdoch explained.
Thornton said he hopes the audience of about 75 left with multiple ideas that will help them become better leaders.
During a lunch held for speakers and attendees, Thornton announced that next year’s Leadership Conference will be held June 7 at STCC.
Thornton said the free seminar is valuable for anyone in a position of working with others: coaches, teachers, parents and company managers, to name a few roles.
“You need leadership skills,” Thornton said. “You need to be able to influence and inspire people and make positive changes. The Leadership Conference is for a wide range of people that can benefit from the knowledge and ideas that are presented.”
Leona Ittleman, dean of the School of Business & Information Technologies, said STCC offers many courses that prepare students for leadership roles in the workforce.
“A degree in business could be your first step toward becoming a leader,” she said. “To apply, visit stcc.edu/apply or call the Admissions Office at (413) 755-3333 for more information.”
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 7,700 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu