During our May Membership Chamber Lunch, we honored 22 graduates from our Leadership Hays Class of 2014.

Serving as one of five facilitators, I have a unique opportunity to observe individual growth and group dynamics as everyone learns how to trust, share, experiment and grow with one another.

At our last session, we asked the class to share what they believe works well within the Leadership Hays program, and I quickly jotted down some notes. While the answers varied, several themes emerged.

First, the group felt the diversity of professions, age and experience of attendees provided multiple interpretations leading to different answers. The blend of classroom instruction with hands-on activities allowed for stronger understanding and sustainable growth. Plus, the homework assignments asked the participants to shift thinking from “in the classroom” to real-world application.

Through the six sessions, the program presented unusual ideas to leadership and what it truly means to be a Servant Leader. We facilitators repeated the basic concept that “Leadership is an activity, not a position,” while challenging the group to focus on things they really cared about and would be willing to invest time and energy to address.

Furthermore, we posed this question to them, and would ask you to consider this as well: “When you think about the future of Ellis County, what concerns you the most?” The answers might not be simple or easy to address.

However, each and every one of us has a responsibility to make this community a better place — not just those who serve in the traditional roles of authority.

So I leave you with these thoughts. If you were to stretch beyond your comfort zone, how would you exercise leadership? What different experiments would you try to make progress?

Lastly, how can the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce assist you to meet that challenge?

Tammy Wellbrock is executive director of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.