PITTSBORO — Innovation, asking questions, and being open to failure — these were concepts stressed at last Thursday’s Leadership Chatham graduation held at Central Carolina Community College.
Twenty-one business leaders took the course, which was sponsored by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, to meet and better understand people and businesses in Chatham County. The luncheon’s guest speaker, Jessica Mashburn from the YMCA of the Triangle, stressed the simple ideas that some leaders bring to the table that develop great concepts.
“Sacred cows lead to lack of innovation, the inability to take risks, and to learn new things,” she said. “Some of our greatest leaders are skilled at asking questions. They stressed listening, and learning.”
You’ve got to learn from failure, she said. For Mashburn, it’s a key to building relationships and building collaborative partnerships through a variety of skill sets. She noted that it’s an amazing way to get things done.
Thursdays graduation was the culmination of a nine month course to bring the participants into contact with other leaders in the various spheres of influence in Chatham County, including the political, social and cultural areas of the community. Building connections among each other and the community is the key concept.
Graduate Sarah Wright is using the course to build relationships in the county. She’s also discovering new places that she didn’t know about like Screech Agricultural Farm in Pittsboro.
“They make products for local restaurants,” she said.
Another graduate, Mariah Scott is originally from the Charlotte area, but was amazed by the area.
She has made personal and professional connections here, she said, and it’s helped her with her job.
“I’ve found different businesses here in Chatham,” Scott said. “ I’ve found hidden gems.”
She was also overwhelmed by the development and growth in the area.
“I didn’t realize what they do,” she said. “Without this opportunity through Leadership Chatham, I wouldn’t know what they do for us.”