Leadership Rockford

4 comments February 8th, 2009

I guess I was a little perplexed by today’s article in the RRStar that the school board was going to expand their search for the Superintendent.  Several questions came to mind.

This would indicate that Linda Hernandez must not be considered the top choice from among the 6 finalists?  I wonder what she must be thinking?

Maybe the school board  should find a good Number 2 and extend her contract.  This way, when she retires, we’ll have a ready-made next Super.

Then I thought, why can’t we be promoting local talent into this and other Rockford area community leadership positions?  Example, with the opening at the Convention Bureau, will another outsider be given the reins?

With our drive to attract and retain professionals (as in Jobapalooza), our Leadership Training programs (as in the Chamber’s program) it would seem to me that our community needs to do more “promote from within”

I am familiar with well run corporations who are leaders in their field, Deere and Caterpillar come to mind.   This is what they do.  They move their management into different positions around their company often in international positions.  Then as they progress into higher level positions, they understand the business from all angles.

Why can’t something like this be done as well in Rockford?  Surely we have talent locally that can be grown into these key leadership positions.

I think we need a better system for management development across our community and not always look to the outside for short term answers.