Nollau Retreat Energizes Leaders

Jeff Raines, chief strategy officer at Emmaus Homes in St. Charles, Mo., had never thought of himself as overly social. So he was surprised when, during the recent Nollau Institute retreat, an assessment of his natural talents identified him as a “relator" – someone who derives pleasure and strength from personal relationships.

After some reflection, though, he realized that the label fit. “I look to form very meaningful relationships not only in the workplace but through partners in CHHSM and through networking,” he says. “I’ve looked to establish fewer but stronger relationships.”

Raines, one of 18 people engaged in the yearlong leadership formation program of CHHSM (the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ), learned much during the retreat. The Nollau Institute’s online and in-person sessions began in September, and on Jan. 11 and 12, the group gathered in St. Louis for its second 24-hour retreat. CHHSM President Bryan Sickbert and Board Chair Peggy Mullan led the session, along with Daniel Pryfogle, Signal Hill's principal and creative director. The trio introduced “Following the Energy,” a new leadership model that identifies team members’ strengths and motivations, and then builds on their energy and interests.

“A set of questions elicited particularly rich conversation,” Mullan says. “They were, ‘Looking at your own energy over the last two years, what has energized you? And on the flip side, what organizational processes have drained your energy?’ We talked about how a leader both manufactures energy and guards it, so as not to let it drain away.”

For what provides energy, Mullan says participants noted such things as rich and meaningful work, well-functioning teams, and seeing daily the difference their work makes in the lives of those they serve. As for energy-drainers, the group mentioned having too many tasks, a difficult regulatory environment, and employees with poor attitudes.

Participants considered how to integrate “Following the Energy” with traditional leadership practices. “There was a lot of good, probing discussion around that,” Mullan says. “You could see the light bulbs come on as people made the connection and saw how they could use it back on the home front.”

Raines was inspired to talk with the recreation staff at Emmaus Homes about expanding activities for residents, who have developmental disabilities. “I’ve worked with the staff on not only recognizing the needs and wants of the residents, but on what strengths we possess as individuals and as an organization, and how we can use those strengths. It’s not just recognizing their interests but the hidden strengths they have, which is pretty empowering.”

Patricia Ege, vice president of program services at Cunningham Children’s Home, a United Methodist ministry in Urbana, Ill., valued the opportunity the institute gave her to reflect. “A time to think is so rare for me anymore in my work,” she says. “We have had some unique agency challenges in the last several months and the institute was just a great support.”

She came back from the retreat thinking, “Wow, I have a lot more energy still inside of me. If I take a little more energy to find the gift, the energy, the resource in another person, it’s there. That energy cycles in a positive way.”