When Sunny Corner Enterprises employees found a way to save the company money, controller Darrell Stewart recognized they did a good job.
The problem was he didn't acknowledge it.
Stewart said he learned enough from the leadership seminars he was attending to know he did something wrong and planned on letting the employees know they were doing good work.
"There I fell. I failed, but I'm gonna make it right."
Last Thursday Stewart was one of 13 people who attended a weekly luncheon at the Newcastle Superstore to develop their skills as leaders.
The session, hosted by Impact Miramichi, was about developing leaders around them and included soup, sandwiches and dessert for everyone who took part.
Colin Holmes started hosting the luncheons last spring and holds them twice a week with a Tuesday session at NBCC in Chatham and the Thursday session in Newcastle.
The goal of the latest session was to teach people how to be leaders who help turn other people into leaders, he said.
"It's not producing followers."
Holmes is a pastor and used to host business leader breakfasts at his church. When someone approached him about attending a simulcast leadership seminar, he tried to organize a trip to Moncton for it, but local business leaders wanted it in the Miramichi instead.
Almost 200 people attended the first simulcast and the leadership luncheons grew from there.
Holmes said when he started he knew he needed to work on his personal leadership skills.
"If I'm sensing it I know there are others."
Along with the video seminars, there are books available with more in depth material to help participants get more out of each session.
Remax 3000 real estate agent Lisa McCormack attended Thursday's session and said even though she doesn't have anyone working under her, she can show leadership to her clients.
"It reinforces the importance of self-development."
Some people are more difficult to deal with than others, she said.
"You can't use the same technique on every person."
For Stewart, he said his training was as an accountant where he can control the numbers and paperwork.
"The toughest part of the job is managing people."
The sessions gave him more confidence in allowing people to grow, taught him practical leadership skills and to invest in people, he said.
"I guess it's like anything else. If you don't invest in your project it won't work."
Holmes said since starting the sessions he is more aware of the leaders in the community and he can help others as he develops as a leader himself.
"Developing a leader isn't a one time thing."
Each 40 minute session is open to anyone and costs $15, which includes lunch. The next session will be on March 19 in the Newcastle Superstore's community room.
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