Northeast Indiana Strengths Network Trains Strengths Advocates

Advocates Will Implement Strengths at Work, School

The Northeast Indiana Strengths Network hosted its second Strengths Advocate test group in May. The Strengths Advocates were trained to understand the Gallup StrengthsFinder’s 34 strengths and how to have strengths-based conversations. Now, the advocates are equipped to be champions for strengths in their places of employment and to have strengths-based conversations at work and home.

The following organizations now have an advocate:

• International Center for Leadership in Education
• Columbia City High School
• Region 8 Education Service Center
• The Bowen Center
• DeKalb Central Schools
• Wilcox & Associates
• SCAN
• Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
• Brightpoint
• Design Collaborative
• Noble County Economic Development Corporation
• Fort Wayne Metals
• Three Rivers Distillery
• DeKalb Health
• Southwest Allen County Schools 
• Ash Brokerage
• Lakeland School Corporation
• MSD Wabash County Schools
• East Allen County Schools
• Wabash City Schools
• STAR Financial
• Harley Davidson of Fort Wayne
• Bravas

We also would like to thank the planning group of Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches that helped us develop the Strengths Advocate program:

• Jenny Landez with Lakeland School Corporation
• Eva Merkel with Lakeland School Corporation
• Amy Neal with DeKalb Central Schools
• Rebecca Pfeffer with DeKalb Central Schools
• Barry Schrock with Summit Coaching & Consulting
• Josh Wenning with Region 8 Education Service Center

Now that the two test groups have been completed, we are examining the feedback received from participants in order to perfect the Strengths Advocate program. In addition, advocates trained on the program from DeKalb Central Schools and Lakeland School Corporation are planning to implement the Strengths Advocate program in their school systems in the 2018—19 school year.