80/20 staff instrumental in mentorship of Whitley County Youth Leadership program
(Talk of the Town photos provided) Doug Wood, above, gives an overview to the Whitley County Youth Leadership program participants about the Four Imperatives of Great Leaders.
By Jessica Tate 
Whitley County Youth Leadership held their March session at 80/20 in Columbia City.
The student leaders from Whitko, Churubusco and Columbia City High Schools spent the day learning about and discovering The Four Imperatives of Great Leaders, led by Doug Wood, co-owner and general manager of 80/20, and a certified Covey trainer.
After the discussion, the students were divided into four teams. Each team was assigned to an 80/20 staff member, as well as to one of the imperatives. The goal of each group was to discover through a guided tour of 80/20, examples of these principles in action and then to report back to the group their observations.
The Inspire Trust group mentored by 80/20 human resources director, Julie Parrett, observed that employees felt they were trusted to do what was right by their leaders as opposed to being micromanaged. Plant operations director Taylor Bohde guided his group tasked with finding examples of clarify purpose. Students found that individual departments were clear about the job that they needed to accomplish as well as how that purpose impacted the overall picture. The Align Systems team, led by marketing director Jessica Tate, discovered that by having clear goals and keeping compelling scoreboards, everyone involved can feel that he or she is making a difference. Finally, the Unleash Talent team, guided by 80/20’s Doug Wood found that by having trust, a clear purpose, and aligned systems, employees felt empowered to make suggestions and do their best.
The students also were given the opportunity to be a part of the company’s monthly meeting, where all employees are invited to attend. The discussion for this month’s meeting focused on eBay sales.
Whitley County Youth Leadership is led by program director Dave Addison of the Whitley County Purdue Extension and program coodinator Monica Trump, alumnus of the Leadership Whitley County adult leadership program.
The Whitley County Youth Leadership group meets once a month to “give students an opportunity to find their passion and to learn skills which will lead them to take ownership in their schools and communities.” Whitley County Youth Leadership would like to thank 80/20 for hosting the group as well as planning the day’s events. They would also like to thank Doug Wood, Julie Parrett, Taylor Bohde and Jessica Tate for leading the students through the events and discussions.