Workshop Testimony

The Grandparent Leadership Garden Legacy Workshop is still very alive in my mind, seven months later. First, our group listened to the U.N.I.Q.U.E.: Growing the Leader Within audio book and did the exercises in The Leadership Garden Guidebook. Combined with Debra's expert guidance we all felt empowered. The result was a true breakthrough. During this 2-day workshop we learned that what we say and how we say it truly impacts others and ourselves. We also learned how to look at 'problems' in a new way and not take them so personally.

As a Youth Pastor, I have taken many leadership courses and this course was totally different than anything I have taken before. The Leadership Garden metaphor used in the book made sense to all of us. We are all familiar with how a garden can become overgrown with weeds, bugs, and other things if we do not tend it properly. Using this new perspective, we looked at our lives and events in the same way. It became evident how the events and actions in our lives affected us when we failed to nurture our human garden. Going back and rethinking the sources of our lives, those that changed us, was critical to growing the leader within.

Listening to the fable story, it is easy to find yourself in at least of one the characters and always as Hugh, the main character. Doing this work in a supportive environment with other women was powerful. It transformed the way I look at people as well as the way I respond to them and situations. I came away with a newfound leader quality that was not there before this workshop. I encourage any man or women, parent or grandparent that wants to become the leader of their own lives to listen and learn from this book as an investment that will touch everyone in your life, now and for years to come.

I went to the grandparent workshop with the intention of becoming a more positive grandma and leaving a lasting legacy for my grandson. I walked away with so much more. I will not just leave a legacy for him, but for my entire family and all the people that I work with in my youth ministry.

Thank you, Debra, for following your dreams and listening to your Spirit within. By doing so, you have truly given the world a gift. I see the Spirit in you as you share your gifts and empower others to do great things. It was a privilege to be a part of the Grandparent Leadership Garden Legacy Workshop.

Tawny Pruett