Wednesday, December 13, 2023, marked a memorable day for me as a Rotaract member, as I had the privilege of participating in an in-person training during the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club lunch. It was led by Robin Huling, a renowned consultant and speaker in leadership and development. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Huling has honed her expertise alongside globally recognized brands such as Universal Studios, Planet Bollywood, Walt Disney World, and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Her passion for team building and leadership training illuminated the session, aiming to empower individuals and teams to reach their full potential.

Ms. Robin Huling during a training session with Orem-Lindon Rotarians

During this engaging training, Rotarians, including myself, were guided towards the necessity of consistently maintaining our focus on our actions—a crucial lesson that will help me bring out the best in others, even when we cannot change who they are. As Ms. Huling pointed out poignantly, "People will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

Ms. Huling's teachings were particularly insightful, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary conflicts while strengthening trust within teams. She highlighted that trust among team members acts as a catalyst for improving efficiency, emphasizing key behaviors such as honesty, transparency, demonstrating competence, active listening, respect, and keeping commitments.

A fascinating revelation was the emphasis on the fact that 55% of communication lies in body language.

A group photo with Ms. Huling (Louyoko Nianza is the first person on the left)

Ms. Huling convincingly stressed the need to steer clear of negativity, explaining that "once the negative is there, the positive cannot change it." Rather than being overwhelmed by negative aspects, she encouraged introducing positivity first and actively working to focus on constructive elements.

Louyoko Nianza with Ms. Huling

In conclusion, this day was an enriching immersion into the art of leadership, marked by practical guidance and insightful perspectives from Robin Huling. Her perceptive insights on team building, effective communication, and conflict management have left a lasting impression, providing everyone with a roadmap to become inspiring leaders and exceptional team members. I thank Orem-Lindon Rotary Club members for providing me with an opportunity to get acquainted with Ms. Robin Huling and her amazing knowledge and experiences.

                     Louyoko Nianza, Rotaract/Africa