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Program Background

The purpose of Leaders for Life (LFL) is to engage with and develop the leadership abilities of emerging, diverse underclassman leaders at the University of Michigan. Specifically, the program seeks to foster the next generation of leadership at Michigan by connecting a group of 100 exceptional sophomore and junior leaders to one another and to accomplished members of the University community.

The program was initiated in 2009 with the express purpose of bringing relevant leadership insights, tools and techniques for student leaders. The format features seasoned leaders to share their experiences and advice on specific topics other student leaders valued, based on research. Past speakers include University President Mark S. Schlissel, former football Coach Lloyd Carr, Athletic Director David Brandon (2010 - 2014), Regent Denise Ilitch and many others.

Original Concept: Initially, the approach was created on a very simple premise — asking proven Michigan leaders from a variety of fields — one question:

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give student leaders?

The results were thoughtful, sometimes counterintuitive, and often very insightful.  They encouraged rich discussions and plenty of food for thought. The advice covered a wide range of situations and organizations, and sometimes opinions seemed in conflict.

LFL participants in roundtable breakouts after a speaker session

LFL participants in roundtable breakouts after a speaker session

Student testimonials from the LFL program (1:27)

Research Background

The Leaders for Life team sought an even more exhaustive path — quantitative research.  With the help and guidance of a former Partner with McKinsey & Co, in collaboration partnership with Student Life, ‘Effective Leadership’ was deeply researched by studying fellow U of M student leaders and recent graduates.   

In 2012, over 1,200 student leaders, from a representative cross section of student organizations, took part in an in-depth survey. The study was considered a landmark achievement as nothing had been done on that scale nationally. The results were published in 2014 (and available here [link]). Then in 2016, a second survey was conducted among 8,000 recent UM graduates to determine if what makes an effective student leader is relevant once someone graduated. The results mirrored the original study!

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The Drivers

Based on empirically studying U of M students (2012) and alumni (2016), the leadership research is quite clear on what really matters, as demonstrated to the right through pathway modeling.

Research Findings

What is “effective leadership” for student leaders?  How is it defined?  What are the characteristics?  What really matters?

The original intent was to empirically understand “effective leadership” and the basis to deliver significant, positive, and sustaining impact regardless of the student organization. This exploration was guided by a desire to define and advance the “what counts” factors within student leadership and organization success, building Michigan’s knowledge base to validate what really makes a difference in developing effective leaders. Insights should not only improve interactions with student leaders, but also lay the groundwork for cultivating a lifetime of leadership.

The survey findings clearly define a leadership model for understanding an effective leader, and interpreting both what and how really makes a difference. Advancing this is truly a relevant topic: 1 in 5 UM students originally surveyed defined their leadership role as their most important experience on campus. The three primary drivers and their supporting characteristics:

Key Driver: Empathy

  1. Expressing

    •. Must be a safe environment for all to speak freely and candidly

    • All must share their thoughts and perspectives

  2. Listening

    • Be open minded, not judgmental, to various viewpoints

    •. Carefully differentiate between the facts and conclusions versus opinions & speculation

  3. Reflecting

    •. Try to discern the what and why of each voice

    •. Seek commonalities and differences across the themes, possible connections

  4. Acknowledging

    •. Be grateful and respectful of the divergent views

    •. Play back the key points resonating to you and why

Key Driver: Building Consensus

  1. Gain full engagement

    •. Ensure all voices and points of view are shared

    •. Respect differences and address misunderstanding and misinformation

  2. Frame possible options

    •. Refine problem, narrow to solve part of the problem

    •. Explore creative or alternative solutions/outcomes

  3. Collectively pursue an outcome

    •. Find common ground, even if all are not in full agreement

    •. Bring resolution to openly expressed differences

  4. Bring alignment with other initiatives

    •. Communicate priorities and direction

    •. Continue to motivate, showing common benefits

Key Driver: Problem Solving

  1. Problem Definition

    • Define the variables though facts, analysis and insights

    •. Assess the complexities of a situation before drawing conclusions

  2. Creative Solutions

    •. Experiment with new concepts and ideas

    •. Visualize or describe desired outcomes

  3. Buy-in

    •. Manage dissenting opinions and difficult people

    •. Get others to work on outcomes even if they did not agree to the decision

  4. Ownership & Accountability 

    •. Hold others accountable for assigned responsibility

    •. Instill a sense of ownership of outcomes

Leadership Topics of Interest - Speaker Highlights

The importance of leadership development: Matthew VanBesien, President of the University Musical Society | (0:54)

Empathy in the workplace: Sava Farah (Sava's restaurant & SavCo Hospitality) | (0:43)

The process of creative problem solving: Aaron Dworkin (School of Music, Theatre & Dance; Sphinx Organization) | (0:44)

Personal values as related to values as related to organizational leadership: Abdul El-Sayed (2018 MI gubernatorial candidate) | (0:30)

Methodology and redefining problem solving: Lynette Clemetson (Director of Wallace House at U-M) | (3:01)

Passion and purpose in leadership: Greg Harden (University of Michigan Athletic Department) | (1:11)

Personal Mission: An Approach from Jeff Domagala

Key Questions

  • What are the things that matter to you, that you daydream about, get energy from, wish you had more time for?

  • If you had no limits — money, family obligations, work — what would you spend the rest of your life working toward?

  • What has your life uniquely prepared you to do? What does your life until now tell you about the direction you’re heading?

  • What is a purpose you’d be excited to commit to that extends across all parts of your life?

  • What would you be proud to display on your tombstone?

Jeff Domagala (Sanger Leadership Center at Michigan Ross) speaks about defining one’s purpose | (0:31)

Jeff Domagala (Sanger Leadership Center at Michigan Ross) speaks about leading from within | (1:02)

Leaders for life 2019

Leaders for life 2018

Leaders for life 2017

  • MARK SCHLISSEL, University of Michigan President

  • KEN FISCHER, President, University Musical Society (1987 -2017)

  • SHAUNA RYDER DIGGS, Univeristy of Michigan Regent

  • NEEL HAJRA, CEO, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation

  • JEFF DOMAGALA, Sanger Leadership Center

Leaders for life 2016

  • SAVA FARAH, Sava's restaurant & SavCo Hospitality

  • MICHAEL BROOKS, Director of Hillel (1980 - 2011)

  • JUDE WALTON, Co-founder of Zingerman's

  • AARON DWORKIN, Sphinx Organization; School of Music, Theatre & Dance

  • JIM TOY, Office of Institutional Equity; Jim Toy Community Center

Leaders for life 2015

  • JIM TOY, Office of Institutional Equity; Jim Toy Community Center

  • LINH NGUYEN, Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

  • SHAWN LEE, School of Public Health

  • SARA SODERSTROM, Assistant professor, Organizational Studies

  • TREY BOYNTON, Director, Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs

  • CARRIE LANDRUM, School of Social Work; Office of Student Conflict Resolution

Leaders for life 2013

  • BRADY HOKE, Michigan Football Head Coach (2011 - 2014)

  • STEVE GRAFTON, President Alumni Association of the University of Michigan

  • MICHAEL BROOKS, Director of Hillel (1980 - 2011)

  • LISA RUDGERS, Vice President for Communications (2011 - 2016)

  • THOMAS ZURBUCHEN, NASA; U-M College of Engineering

  • AMER AHMED, Associate Director of the Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) and Trotter Multicultural Center

  • SARA SODERSTROM, Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies and Program in the Environment

  • LAURITA THOMAS, U-M Health System; U-M Associate Vice President for Human Resources

  • RICK SNYDER, Michigan Governor (2011 - 2019)

Leaders for life 2012

  • GRETCHEN SPREITZER, Michigan Ross; Center for Positive Organizations

  • PHIL DELORIA, Department of American Culture; Department of History

  • BUZZ ALEXANDER, Prison Creative Arts Project Founder

  • DAVID CANTER, Michigan Ross; North Campus Research Complex

  • KIM BARNES ARICO, Women's Basketball Head Coach

  • DAVE BRANDON, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

  • CYNTHIA WILBANKS, Vice President for Government Relations

  • JAMES DUDERSTADT, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering

Leaders for life 2011

  • CYNTHIA WILBANKS, Vice President for Government Relations

  • GLORIA THOMAS Center for the Education of Women

  • LLOYD CARR, Michigan Football Head Coach (1995 - 2007)

  • THOMAS ZURBUCHEN, NASA; College of Engineering

  • LISA RUDGERS, Vice President for Communications (2011 - 2016)

  • DENISE ILLITCH, Board of Regents

  • GREG HARDEN, Michigan Athletics

  • JERRY MAY, Vice President for Development (2003 - 2018)

Leaders for life 2010 SpeakerS

  • E. ROYSTER HARPER, Vice President of Student Affairs s (2000 - 2020)

  • MARK ROSEN, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

  • DAVID BRANDON, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (2010 - 2014)

  • DAVID MUSON JR., Dean of the College of Engineering (2006 - 2016)

  • LESTER MONTS, Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs (1993 - 2014)

Leaders for life 2009 (Inaugural year)

  • LLOYD CARR, Head Football Coach (1995 - 2007)

  • LAURA BLAKE JONES, Dean of Students

  • MICHAEL BROOKS, Director of Hillel (1980 - 2011)

  • MARY SUE COLEMAN, President, University of Michigan (2002 - 2014)

  • REGGIE MCKENZIE, UM Alum ('72) & NFL left guard (1972 -1984)

  • KEN FISCHER, President, University Musical Society (1987 -2017)

  • LESTER MONTS, Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs (1993 - 2014)