Gettysburg, PA, Day One
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Submitted by: Bailey Miller
Our Gettysburg facilitator, Jeff Harding, started off our first day of the Gettysburg Leadership Experience. Jeff gave us an overview of the program and the design elements we will cover in each module.
Teresa Orr, a battlefield guide, gave us an overview of the battle. Following that, she accompanied us to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor’s Center. We viewed the exhibits at the museum and watched a movie detailing the Gettysburg battle. It also included the history that led up to the battle, and the history that followed.
After the movie, we were taken to the Cyclorama Painting of Pickett’s Charge. This 42 feet high and 377 feet in circumference painting was astonishing. Painted by Paul Philippoteaux in 1871, the painting further illustrated the details of the battle.
Back on the bus, Teresa showed the class around the town and the 6,000-acre national park. She pointed out houses and structures that survived the Civil War, including the homes that served as headquarters for each, General Meade and General Lee. We learned that each state, who fought in the battle, has a monument on the national park. We stopped at the Pennsylvania State Monument. Teresa gave us some history and insight on the monument.
We also took a moment here to talk about our goals for the program. Jeff asked us, “what leadership skills do we want to learn from this experience?” The KARL associates stated the following:
Following the excursion, we started on Module 1 of the program, Anticipatory Leadership, instructed by Chuck Burkell. We talked about taking our current reality to our aspired state. We applied this concept to examples in farming and agriculture.
Current Reality —–> the gap ——-> Aspired State
Chuck shared his meaning of what it means to lead: “Facilitating others to solve a problem.”
Anticipatory Leadership is seizing your strategic advantage. We examined the actions of General John Buford and General John Reynolds. What was the significance of having the “high ground?”
We talked about how General John Buford positioned his army, and the government, for success in the face of great challenge and uncertainty. He showed his passion for his role or purpose. Keeping this in mind, we looked at anticipatory leadership in four lenses.
1. Mental positioning
2. Proactive positioning
3. Tipping Point
4. Strategic inflection point
Chuck talked to us about Force Multipliers and how every organization has a “high ground.”
Jessie Wheedleton, battlefield guide, facilitated our park visit that corresponded with day one of the battle. Jessie showed us the monument for General John Buford. We talked about his foresight and how that influenced his actions. He showed strong leadership with the rapport he had with his men.
We visited the monument for General John Reynolds. We took time to discuss why he was in the front with his men, instead of staying in the back of the battle. KARL associates deliberated the following:
We also discussed the results of transferring leadership after his death.
We concluded the tour at the Peace Monument. Later that evening, we had a reception and dinner at the Mansion House 1757. It is one of four inns still remaining in America since the seventeenth century. The inn sources all the food from local partners. At the end of the day, no one was left behind or hungry.
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Gettysburg, PA, Day Two
Friday, March 28, 2025
Submitted by: Joe Lara
Gettysburg Experience: Module 2–Transactional and Transformational/Adaptive Leadership and Battlefield tour.
Gettysburg Experience: Module 3–Predictable Surprises
Local farm tour of Hollabaugh Bros. Inc: a family owned and operated fruit and vegetable farm which grows and sells multiple varities of produce as well as contributing to their local community.
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Gettysburg, PA, Day Three
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Submitted by: Courtney Schamberger
Gettysburg Experience: Pickett’s Charge Walk
Adjourn training, return to hotel
Depart on bus for DCA
Outgoing flights to return to Kansas
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