Dr. Parrott,
 

I have been a State Farm agent now for nearly 24 years.  I have enjoyed and prospered from the guidance this great company has given me in my career.  Unfortunately I found that at the end of the day I had not fulfilled my needs and desires so much as the company goals and the desires of others.  I sincerely wrestled with the question of "What do I truly want and need?"
 

One year ago I was told of a program, the Leadership Development Program, led by Dr. Richard Parrott.  I quickly pursued the opportunity to participate, began the program in August 2004 and loved every minute of the experience. Nothing I have ever taken part in regarding my career has been more helpful or fulfilling.  I have benefited, my family has benefited, my staff has benefited, and my agency benefits from the tools I received in LDP.
 

I encourage every agent, new or well experienced, to participate in the Leadership Development Program.
 

Courtenay Bythewood

Dr. Parrott,

I want to thank you again for conducting the LDP series.  I felt you did a great job of relating the material to a State Farm agency.  I have discussed LDP with several agents and tried to explain to them what it consisted of.  It was pretty hard to put your meetings into words.  My dad and other 40+ year agents always say
 

Well, LDP does just that.  You learn how to manage your office.  It’s as simple as that.  Thanks again for your time and fellowship.

Sincerely,

Brad Schwab

Dr. Parrott,

I have been evaluating not only my effort but also the program the last couple of days.  My recommendation is as follows:
 

Leadership is a skill that you can identify when you see it, is often written about, and is cause for lifelong personal refinement for those who seek it.  LDP was a positive step for me in my pursuit of increased effectiveness as a leader. 
 

The course uses self-evaluation and reflection, self-study, skill sub-set implementation/practice, peer mentoring, small group discussions, and large group lectures to accomplish its goal of growing better State Farm leaders. I have a better understanding of the topic from an academic perspective.  More importantly, LDP helped me in both structure and content to take action on many of the aspects of leadership.
 

I am a more effective business person, parent and community member by my participation.  I recommend this course to those who are willing to change and wish to grow themselves as long-term effective leaders.
 

Glen Reichenbach

Dr. Parrott,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your time and effort in the Leadership Development Program.  I found my time well spent.  With each session I found I was equipped with more and more practical tools for use within my own environment.  It was a pleasure to work with the agents on my team throughout the process and to learn right along side them.

We learned together how to implement those tools not only over the program period though plan now to go back and relearn them together again.  I believe I could go through the program several times and develop my leadership skills through the use of the tools and activities you teach each time.  I am thankful for the notebooks I have to go back to so I might utilize these things throughout my career.

I would be remiss if I did not also thank you for assisting me in identifying my true and authentic self.  By completing the Seize Your Life process I was able to connect and strengthen my vision for what I am trying to accomplish throughout my life.  I was also able to reconnect specifically with my Self-Care which I know affects every other area of my life as well.  I will continue to strive to be a better leader and thank you for your investment in helping me to accomplish this.

All in all, you have assisted me in becoming a better asset to State Farm, my community, my friends and family.

Thanks so much,

Jane Morris

AFE, Southern Ohio