Throughout history, countless individuals have tried to put their own spin on what it means to be an effective leader. But in the end, one can find an understanding of their ability to lead by answering two simple questions: is there an effective following behind me that has earned my trust, or am I simply telling a group of people what to do? And second, am I willing to learn?
As a recent graduate from the University of Montevallo, Brother Jack Branch is no stranger to the complexities of leadership and has asked those questions himself. As he continues to master his ability to lead, Branch can reflect on the multiple officer positions he held during his undergraduate career, and some of the training opportunities he had more recently before being appointed to his university’s Interfraternity Council board, as well as serving on Lambda Chi Alpha’s Grand High Zeta.
“Becoming the High Alpha was my steepest learning curve. Leading a chapter requires a constant balance between team, task, and individual, and there were definitely times when I could have done more to build a team of effective followers; individuals who are willing to get the job done and continue the mission, but at the same time act as critical friends by questioning my judgment. It is this that builds trust and allows the Chapter to excel.
Passionate about developing as a leader, Jack has been instrumental in building and testing of the Leadership Skills Certification Academy (LSCA). Launched at the 2022 High Alpha Summit as the transformational tool that delivers success for brothers becoming officers to then career professionals, LSCA currently offers four different tracks focused on equipping officers with the necessary skills to lead their chapters, and most crucially, act as ambassadors on and off campus.
Most uniquely, the program awards a digital credential for Brothers who pass their track, which then allows them to display their credential to future employers. As an early tester, Branch was one of the first officers to secure a credential, that he now displays on his profiles to promote his certification for leading teams.
“This is what sets this program apart. It not only teaches you how to become a better leader and build trust in your team through the development of core technical and behavioral skills, but it also teaches you how to leverage your experience and articulate the transferable skills you bring to the workplace.”
Playing a key role in the development of Leading Teams, a track built for the High Alpha, Jack is now working through the other courses currently available to officers: Essentials in Finance, Recruiting and Sales, and Social Responsibility. Looking back, Branch has stated how much he’s benefited from the critical onboarding he hadn’t experienced before, leveraging this new tool to become a better officer.
“From learning how to run effective meetings, to building a recruiting pipeline and managing budget, LSCA has provided me with a skill set I never had before. Prior to, there wasn’t a codified way for how we needed to develop and operate. Even with the best of intentions, this led to costly mistakes and leadership failings. Now with LSCA, we have the foundations for creating competent and confident leaders who have earned the trust of their fellow Brothers.”
To Jack, Brother Henry Schuck (Founder & CEO of ZoomInfo), best sums up the importance of the program:
“These certifications demonstrate the investment into your professional self and that speaks louder than any other investment you can make.”
