I recently conducted a presentation/workshop for Pittsburgh’s Coro Center for Civic Leadership, whose highly respected fellowship programs strive to “prepare individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public affairs arena.” During the session, I covered several of the concepts that drive my coaching. Coro participants provided the following comments:
“The fact that you tailored your presentation to our group’s specific outcomes, addressed all our questions, and engaged us in activities to better express understanding of vision, proved beyond empowering.”
-Andy Taylor, Coro Fellow in Public Affairs
“I enjoyed the parallels between what we already do with Coro and your advice. The shift of frame of mind from problem solving to vision was also helpful.”
-Mayada Mansur
“The presentation exceeded my expectations.”
-Antonio Lodico
“…It was more impactful than I expected.”
-Anonymous
“…Sense of humor and relatability. Strove to connect to audience.”
-Shara Siegel, Coro Fellow in Public Affairs
“Thorough without boring audience…Liked the interactive activity.”
-Melissa Wilf, Coro Fellow 2008
Community Leadership students in “Leading Self and Others through Purposeful Creating, ” a graduate course I designed and taught, completed several exercises similar to those I utilize in my coaching. Below are few comments they submitted anonymously via an instructor effectiveness survey, accompanied by this letter from the Dean of the School.
“EXCELLENT course. One of the best I’ve taken…Very practical. Thanks!”
“Dave is an excellent teacher and this subject was perfect…”
“This was a strong class that has made me think about life and my direction in life. This was also my best professor…I can’t say enough about how impressed I was with Dave’s ability to teach, lead, direct and inform.”
“Great class that even though it’s not over yet, is paying dividends in my life-personally and professionally.”
“Thanks you for a wonderful semester. This class came at a perfect time for me. I really benefited from having taken this course.”
“Great class-much more than I had expected! And probably the most useful of all. Thanks!”
“Great course, great instructor!”
“This class was top-notch. The curriculum was useful and timely. I think Mr. Wheitner deserves a raise!”
“The instructor seems to sincerely enjoy the subject matter that he teaches. This makes for a meaningful transfer of his knowledge to his students.”
Students also provided these testimonials:*
“My self-awareness has increased a great deal as a result of this class. I am much more cognizant of the way I respond to adversity. It will be a long process, but I feel I’m on the way to leading a much more positive life… I am so thankful to have been taking this class while dealing with the most adverse situations…I have to say that my ability to cope so well has made a major difference…I remained committed to my own vision. Thanks, Dave, for all of your positive feedback.”
-Lisa Marie Hall
Coordinator, Keystone College Center for Excellence and Leadership
“In sharing my impressions of this class I thought of trying to find a place that I have never been to without directions…We certainly can achieve life’s assorted goals in due time, but we make it so much easier on ourselves and so much more of an efficient process if we simply bring that map…those personal visions that have the final destination already down on paper with detailed steps that help us get there. We all have the right to alter those visions with new perspectives, wants, and needs …but we will always get to the finish line faster with our directions.”
-Jim Basquil
Animal Rights Advocate & Sports Media Professional
“One of the most important things I learned this term was identifying values and being able to see how they can work together as opposed to being in conflict. Also, I can reframe events - instead of being frustrated that a certain goal is not being met, I can see that I am responding to a higher value…”
-Karen Walker
“…This course has helped me put things in perspective. It’s not always the end of the world now for me. It’s about taking what you have and making the community you want instead of simply being in the community you’re in.”
-Pete Carey
Sergeant Major (retired), United States Army
Project Officer
*Permission to post the information on this page was requested and obtained from the students and department dean after finalization of semester grades.
