Six-Month Leadership Cumberland Program To Begin In February

A new session of Leadership Cumberland will begin February 21 to help people identify their leadership capabilities and style.

Chamber of Commerce President Ethan Hadley said Leadership Cumberland has been a part of the community for nearly 20 years. Hadley said it helps prospective leaders learn how to practically utilize those skills. Hadley said offering only one course per month over six months is strategic.

“That pause between program days allows the class to absorb the information they’ve gotten in a particular class day and retain it,” Hadley said. “If you were to do it as an intensive one-week course you wouldn’t retain a large amount of the information that’s presented.”

‌Courses during the six-month program include classes on community, education, economy, history and public safety and the justice system. Another class day is spent in the Tennessee Legislature attending session meetings as well as private meetings with Senator Paul Bailey and House Speaker Cameron Sexton.

“Leadership programs in general are great,” Hadley said. “You’ll find them here and our surrounding counties and all across the state. If you’re curious about it, I would encouraged them to start with a call to their local chamber, because if the chamber doesn’t operate it themselves, they will be able to put you in touch with the group that runs the program.”

There is an application period to participate in the program. The amount of participates is based on ideal class size.

“Last year we had more applicants than we had spots in the program,” Hadley said. “This year it looks like we’ll have the same. Those applications are reviewed and class members are selected by a committee and then informed.”

Applications to participate in Cumberland Leadership should be sent to the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. There is a $500 tuition cost for the program.