The business community picks up a book, today in Prince George.
Everyone gets the same book, a bestseller in the business and personal development realm, and the participants will discuss it as they turn the pages.
The book is Robin Sharma's A Leader Who Had No Title and by taking part in this exercise, the 50 entrepreneurs and business professionals involved are themselves becoming that kind of leader, said event coordinator Shauna Harper.
Harper is one of the founders of the city's award-winning StartUp PG group, where established business owners like herself both learn from more experienced entrepreneurs, peer mentor, and foster the next generation joining the business world in this area. StartUp PG partnered with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation on the city's first business-oriented reading circle.
"The book is just a vehicle for the important conversations that happen when you bring together people who lead by example, they are leaders because that's just who they are. We want them in the same room, talking about leadership in business," said Harper. "I see a real spirit of change and progress going on in Prince George right now."
Today at noon, the 50 who have been selected or signed up will get together for lunch at Art Space. The book will be introduced, and the discussion parameters will unfold. They will mark June 18 on their calendars for reconvening at the same time, and same place.
"In between time, the leaders of the reading circle will be bringing small groups together to have discussions. The actual transformations happen in these smaller groups," Harper said. "Hopefully it will inspire more action within the community."
Plans are tentatively, optimistically underway for a second event in the fall.
"We have a civic election coming up in fall, and we want to get the discussion going that there are positions available that people can campaign for, but we want to focus attention on the fact that leadership is about stepping up for your community before you are elected, before there is recognition for your leadership. There are leaders who just do it, just put themselves in the position of helping and mentoring and supporting people. Those people need support, too."
The event sold out in about an hour after registration opened. For those who missed getting a ticket, bookmark the StartUp PG website for future reference.
