Thanks to a $100,000 grant, the nonprofit will teach Values Based Leadership to startup teams
Richmond, V.A.: Startup Virginia (SVA) today announced a new leadership development program for its members, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Luck Companies Foundation. Half of the award will go to further SVA’s mission, and the other half to implement the new program.
Through a series of workshops led by The InnerWill Leadership Institute (founded by President & CEO of Luck Companies, Charlie Luck, IV), startup founders and their teams will learn Values Based Leadership (VBL), a practice that motivates and inspires leaders by connecting company goals to their core values.
Richard Wintsch, Executive Director of Startup Virginia, learned the VBL principles during his time at ChamberRVA, and is excited to share the experience with SVA members. “To my knowledge, no business incubator in the country has focused on providing their founders with Value Based Leadership education,” he said. “With the help of Luck Companies Foundation and The Innerwill Leadership Institute, we have the opportunity to both help our founders grow their businesses and equip them with lasting tools to inspire and lead others.”
Betsey Fortlouis, Director of Partnerships & Development for InnerWill, agrees. “Companies who foster a values-based approach to leadership create connections that have a significant impact on organizational outcomes — including higher levels of engagement, lower levels of turnover, increased alignment around a company’s strategy and mission, and a better bottom line. We are thrilled to be able to partner with Startup Virginia in this effort.”
The leadership development program is comprised of the following workshops customized and facilitated by InnerWill:
- “Self Awareness” workshop: Participants will use the Insights Discovery tool (similar to Myers Briggs or DiSC) to identify their personal style and that of others.
- “Leading with a Vision” workshop: Participants will focus on how to lead and inspire others through the power of Values Based Leadership.
- “Giving and Receiving Feedback” workshop: Participants will identify best practices for giving and receiving feedback.
- “Introduction to Values Based Leadership” workshop: Participants will learn the basic beliefs behind values based leadership, including the idea that leadership is a choice, not a title, and the role as leader is to ignite the potential within themselves and others.
All startup founders and their key employees will have the opportunity to participate in the workshops as part of their membership with SVA. The leadership development program is part of a larger effort by SVA to offer more holistic programming to help early-stage startups to nurture both their business and leadership capabilities.
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About Startup Virginia: Startup Virginia is a nonprofit, high-growth business incubator dedicated to advancing businesses that build a long-term, sustainable economy for Virginia. We currently serve 72 startup companies, more than 200 mentors and subject matter experts, and a regional investors network. SVA also provides entrepreneurial guidance and education that is open to all. With support from our partners, mentors, investors, and donors, we help entrepreneurs reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.startupvirginia.org.
About The InnerWill Leadership Institute: Based in Richmond, Virginia, The InnerWill Leadership Institute is a national 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to transforming individuals and organizations through Values Based Leadership. InnerWill works with organizations to develop leadership in every person, at every level and provides customized programming to fit each client’s needs and ensure positive and measurable impacts on everything from employee engagement to building trust. For more information, visit www.InnerWill.org.
