Leading from the Middle can help you become more effective and persuasive

If you want to be more successful, influential, effective and productive, being smart is not enough. Leading from the Middle New Jersey gives mid-level professionals the knowledge, skills and tools to better address difficult challenges in community development, urban planning and public policy.

Leading from the Middle New Jersey provides high quality professional development at an affordable price. The program, which runs from October 2007 to May 2008, includes six training workshops, peer coaching, and one-to-one executive coaching. Workshops are usually one Friday a month between October and March. Other programs that offer this much cost thousands of dollars. Leading from the Middle New Jersey fees are on a sliding scale of $250 to $1,250. Scholarships of up to $600 are available (apply by September 12). Fellows who complete at least five sessions and coaching will receive a Certificate of Completion. Leading from the Middle New Jersey is affiliated with Rutgers University's Professional Development Institute in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Leading from the Middle New Jersey helps professionals manage more effectively in difficult and stressful conditions. Fellows learn to how to build their persuasion and communication skills, manage teams and conflict, build sustainable partnerships, and work more effectively in diverse communities and organizations. Fellows learn skills that work equally well in the office or out in the community.

Leading from the Middle New Jersey attracts a diverse array of professionals from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These professionals include division directors, vice presidents, project managers, and executives of small nonprofit groups. Some organizations represented in Leading from the Middle include the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Jersey City Housing Authority, New Jersey Community Capital, RBA Group, POWER, Somerset County Department of Community Development and Willingboro Township.

The course is taught by an urban planner and community development professional with expertise in strategic communications and organizational change and development. Leonardo Vazquez, who also is an Instructor at the Bloustein School, chairs the Latinos and Planning division of the American Planning Association and was a founder of Planners for Ethnic and Cultural Diversity.

To learn more or to register, please visit http://www.theleadinginstitute.org/lm

Questions? Contact The Leading Institute Director Leonardo Vazquez at vazquezl@rci.rutgers.edu or 732-932-3822, x711

Leading from the Middle is endorsed by the New Jersey and New York Metro Chapters of the American Planning Association, The Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland, the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at George Washington University, Manna Inc. and the Fund for an Open Society.