There is more than one way to define an effective leader. Some may define a leader as flexible, willing, and open minded while others may say a leader is disciplined and direct. Whatever your definition of an effective leader is, it is most important to understand how you set others up for success in a leadership role.
At enFocus, an integral piece to Fellow professional development is implementing leadership and managerial techniques into project work. One way we give Fellows the opportunity to flex their managerial muscle is pairing them with a summer intern. This year, we are preparing Fellows to foster the professional interests of their interns through a project management development series to help them understand managerial techniques, scope projects, and step into a supervisory role that will cultivate their leadership skills.
The enFocus internship allows for a unique experience. It provides interns with a way to explore their professional interests, while also providing Fellows the opportunity to manage someone within the project scope. Melissa Douhan, enFocus Vice President of Programs, completed the first presentation in a managerial series called, “Stepping into Supervision.” The presentation was a large overview of how different leadership styles impact those you supervise. She also covered how to set expectations and give constructive feedback.
Melissa emphasizes, “Embracing change and cultivating strong leadership goes hand-in-hand. At enFocus, we understand the importance of equipping our Fellows with managerial techniques to navigate project complexities and foster team success. Through initiatives like our internship program and leadership development series, we’re empowering leaders within our own organization to shape the future of our region and drive impactful change.”
Melissa’s guidance was invaluable, but it does not stand alone. enFocus Program Coordinator, Louis Holbrook, is also hard at work finding talented interns and preparing our team to foster a holistic work experience. A large part of preparation for interns is determining how to appropriately scope their portion of project work. Scope refers to the parameters of a project that establishes responsibilities required of an individual, timelines, and process for how completed work will be reviewed.
Louis explains the importance of scoping intern projects. He says, “Effective project scoping for interns is crucial as it sets clear expectations, aligns objectives, and maximizes their potential for growth. By defining project parameters, we not only provide interns with focus and direction, but also empower them to make meaningful contributions within a structured framework. The relationship fosters both personal and professional development.”
Implementing managerial techniques like scoping not only helps interns, it also nurtures the Fellowship experience. As a project-based organization, managing an intern is a vital component of the Fellowship journey. It offers a time for Fellows to reflect on their leadership style and refine their management skills while mentoring the intern. It also deepens the Fellow’s understanding of the project, enhances communication skills, and upholds our value of collaboration among our team.
Our Fellows are about to experience a change in their day-to-day tasks as many of them take on supervisory roles when our interns arrive. We are excited to offer our Fellows resources that will help them navigate change, and provide structures that will help them welcome new ideas and different perspectives. We look forward to all the ways our Fellows will implement their managerial techniques and leadership styles as they continue to catalyze change in the South Bend-Elkhart region.