Some people may think that leaders are born, but Randall L. Tobias, former CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., believes otherwise. Instead of accepting the status quo, Tobias donated $5.25 million to create an interdisciplinary center to enhance leadership in Indiana.
Thanks to its influential and unique approach, the Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence at Indiana University has become a nationally recognized center that teaches leadership across various sectors including corporate business, education, religion, medicine, government, service and nonprofit organizations.
“We look at leadership from a multi-centric point of view. We’re about blending leadership scholarship with leadership practice,” said Carol Madison, executive director of the center. “We are always in need of good leaders.”
To continuously produce leaders, the center collaborates with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, School of Education, School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the IU Center of Philanthropy. Faculty Fellows from these and other parts of the university conduct research in their respective fields. Their findings are disseminated for further development of today’s leaders and for future leaders. Faculty members also teach classes and conduct workshops.
Additionally, the Center for Leadership Excellence uses its information to enhance the community through various programs. Some programs include the Oral History Program, which records various individuals’ rise to leadership. Some participants who have participated in this program include Patricia Miller, co-founder of Vera Bradley, and William G. Mays, president and CEO of Mays Chemical Co.
The Hazelett Forum is a program that highlights women in leadership. Speakers for the event are typically individuals who exemplify excellence in leadership and work to support the advancement of women in leadership roles. Most recently, Indiana Fever player Tamika Catchings served as a guest speaker. As an Olympic Gold Medalist, WNBA MVP, and founder of the Catch the Stars Foundation, the center believed Catchings was the perfect fit for this forum.
“The Semler Lecture honors the idea about giving back to the community,” added Madison. “This forum, which is free and open to the public, is to inspire others, particularly young people. We did that in partnership with the Center for Leadership Development.”
The newly developed Tobias Forum is an effort to connect current events to the leadership opportunities they present. The inaugural event featured Rev. Richard Hamilton and former Congressman Lee Hamilton, whose keynote was titled “Keeping Religion in Its Place in Public Life – Two Views: A Politician and a Preacher.”
The Tobias Leadership Conference brings together scholars and leaders who actively work to continuously improve leadership. It also is an opportunity for IU faculty interested in leadership a chance to connect to others across the country, who are generating fresh and new ideas.
The center’s signature activity is the year-long Hoosier Fellows program. The program is designed for seasoned leaders from organizations and businesses from various sectors in Indiana and the Midwest. Former fellows include Jeffery Harrison, vice president, engineering and facilities management for Citizens Energy Group (2009); Debra Hearn Smith, CEO of Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council Inc. (2007); and Joyce Rogers, vice president of development for Ivy Tech Community College (2007).
“We try to expose them to leadership that is different from their corporate culture,” said Madison.
The fellows meet once a month for two days where they study different elements and contexts of leadership settings that are meant to encourage learning. They are also given an extensive assessment of their own capabilities.
Fellows have even gone beyond Central Indiana to study leadership. Some trips have included the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to study military leadership; St. Meinrad Archabbey to study Benedictine leadership; Notre Dame to study international leadership; and Traders Point Creamery to learn about sticking to mission and values.
“Going to West Point was life changing,” said Jeff Hannah, staff vice president at Well Point National Government Services, and a 2011 fellow. “The whole mission of West Point is about building leaders of character. There, you get a sense of how serious and dedicated they are to that mission. It’s really awe inspiring.”
He is grateful for the experience to be a Hoosier Fellow and says that participating in the program has deepened his understanding of what a true service-based leader is.
“(The fellowship) helped me understand from a variety of perspectives how that kind of philosophy can be powerfully employed for the good of all kinds of individuals and institutions,” said Hannah.
The center is currently seeking nominations for the 2012 Hoosier Fellowship class, its seventh class.
For more information on The Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence at Indiana University, call (317) 278-2800 or visit www.tobiascenter.iu.edu.
