Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT RLF

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Yes, RLF is available to anyone in any discipline, in any industry.  Some people think that because RLF is part of the SIM Leadership Institute that only IT / technology employees can participate, however, RLF is a Leadership Development program, not a technology program.  Therefore, RLF is open to everyone. RLF grads include people from all kinds of business, government, education, healthcare, and retail industries.  And you do not have to be a member of SIM to enroll.

Generally, RLF participants have been leaders for 5-plus years.  This is a time when leaders have managed sufficient practice of the basic principles /  foundations of leading, and are ready to expand and deepen their leadership competencies to include higher level skills such as emotional intelligence, self-awareness, team relationships, communicating / presenting, and critical thinking.

And there is no required title or position to attend RLF -- participants can range from mid-level managers to SVP's who bond together on a level learning field as they undertake the immersive RLF experience.  In fact, RLF facilitators ask participants to "leave your stripes at the door" so that everyone is on the same plateau of learning / networking / bonding.

In our 21st century world, it's likely there will never be a time when you don’t have a lot going on in your job or your personal life.  RLF facilitators encourage you to seize the opportunity and will tell you “there's never a perfect year when you're not busy and you have all the time in the world to read books / travel / be away from work / etc.  Why not do it now, and start the rest of your life one year earlier?"  

Yes, you will choose to participate in any Forum you'd like. RLF does not require you to participate in your "home" location/region.  Many participants enjoy taking RLF in other parts of the country as an opportunity to expand their networking and gain awareness of the variety of industries that RLF participants work in across the USA.  Keep in mind, additional travel expenses may occur if you choose to participate in a non-local RLF -- travel expenses are not included in your RLF tuition.

No, people from the same company often choose to attend different RLF programs.  We have many companies that send multiple colleagues and often they will have a few attending a forum in one location, and other colleagues attending in another location.

RLF’s strongest advocates are our 5,000+ graduates.  Last year, 95% of RLF graduates said in their end-of-program survey that “RLF is better than any other leadership program I’ve attended.”  And 98% of them said they would recommend RLF to someone else.

Plus, in a recent survey of all available RLF grads from the past 20 years, the data shows:

• 82% said “RLF was essential in developing me as a collaborative / innovative leader and mentor.”
• 80% said “RLF enabled me to more adeptly leverage my personal leadership strengths.”
• 76% said “RLF enhanced my ability to connect with others in more genuine, authentic ways.”
• And two-thirds -- 64% -- of the survey respondents said they had moved up to Senior / Executive management since their RLF experience.