Shelby Krebs- Leading by Example

Shelby Krebs recently completed the Dale Carnegie Training Series "Effective Communication and Human Relations." Shelby not only completed the training but excelled throughout the series of classes in applying the Dale Carnegie Human Relations and Communication Principles. Shelby received four different awards from her peers in the class and was a finalist in receiving the "Highest Achievement Award" at the conclusion of the 12 week training series.

The Dale Carnegie training consisted of 12 weekly classes. They were 3.5 hours long in the evening and required a minimum of four hours of preparation time each week. The class focused on practical techniques to become more influential through effective Human Relations and Communication skills.

When asked what Shelby liked most about Dale Carnegie course, she said. "The Dale Carnegie course is 100% interactive. There were no Power Point presentations or deskwork involved. This structure provided a positive environment for growth that was non-threatening. Each week we were asked to be honest with ourselves about our weaknesses in human relations and challenge ourselves with ways we could change.

Dale Carnegie encourages you to push your inner limits. For instance; shy people are encouraged to step out of their shell and outgoing people are encouraged to talk less and listen more. The most important benefit that I feel it will have for our company is that Dale Carnegie graduates develop an awareness how their actions are affecting their work environment and they are armed with skills for approaching people; resolving issues constructively and working with enthusiasm."

One of Shelby's personal goals from the Dale Carnegie course was to complete at least a 5k run. The following is her account of achieving that goal.

On Sunday, May 2, 2010 I joined over 50,000 people in the annual Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane, WA. The run was 12K with one really steep hill! I am not a runner - my last competitive running event was a middle school track meet. Training for Bloomsday was very rewarding. The mental benefits outweighed the physical ones in my opinion. I met more of my neighbors while running on the roads by my home in three months than I did in the previous two years - and I had Dale Carnegie conversation skills in my pocket when we spoke. When I crossed the finish line I completed a commitment I made to my Dale Carnegie classmates, my family and coworkers in January. I challenge you to do something you didn't think you could. Take a class, volunteer, travel, run a race...The reward the accomplishment will provide will leave you satisfied and wanting to do more."

Thank you to Beef Northwest for encouraging self improvement and lifelong learning in our employees. I feel very fortunate to have been selected to take the Dale Carnegie class."