iLead III Virtual Meeting--SMART EQ

by Dr. Griffiths G. Atungulu, Associate Professor and Director University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program - February 1, 2024

Good day, folks! The virtual iLead rendezvous for Cohort III kicked off at 9 a.m. sharp – albeit through our screens! But distance did not dampen our spirits!

Dr. Julie Robinson got the meeting started with a fun icebreaker. She had us share our favorite snow day activities, and let me tell you, the responses were as diverse as flavors at an ice cream parlor! Some of us cozy up by the fireplace with a warm drink, others brave the cold to snap some Insta-worthy pics, and then there are those wishing for a snowless day to lighten their outdoor workload. But hey, we all agree: Arkansas' seasonal charm is something to savor!

Then, Robinson took the stage to dive into the realm of emotional intelligence. It quickly became clear that this skill is the secret sauce for top-tier leadership. We split into breakout sessions to dish out our "buttons" – you know, those things that push our buttons and get us all riled up. And let me tell you, when we reconvened, the insights were eye-opening!

Next up, it was all about sharpening our people skills and mastering the delicate art of relationship management. More breakout sessions followed, allowing us to swap stories and share tips. After a quick breather, Dr. Steve Siegelin dropped some serious knowledge bombs on personal and professional growth.

He walked us through setting SMART goals – the ones that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

We wrapped things up with a goal-setting session. Each of us laid out our goals, chatted it up in small groups, and then spilled the beans to the whole group. And just like that, our virtual get-together ended about noon.

The next iLEAD session will be held in February in Pine Bluff and Lonoke. To learn more about the iLEAD program contact Julie Robinson, jrobinson@uada.edu or Lisa Davis, ldavis@uada.edu.