Leadership trajectory: did the Aurora Leadership Institute make a difference?

The Aurora Leadership Institute started in 1995 its mandate 'to position leaders as dynamic and effective voices in our sophisticated information environment.' Since then many librarians and others who work in the information industry have completed the program. As a 2006 graduate who made life changing decisions post-Aurora, I have often reflected on whether going to Aurora changed or boosted my leadership trajectory and whether other Aurorans had experiences similar to mine. Last year, using surveys, interviews and focus groups, I asked Aurora graduates about their experiences post-Aurora and whether the program had equipped them to meet their own leadership aspirations and the expectations of their employers. I really wanted to know whether they perceived themselves as more effective leaders now and if the program had helped them along the way. This paper will present the findings of a small-scale study. Many of the stories told are quite personal. As expected a significant number of those who participated in the study have gone on to become senior managers. Some left the profession and others made momentous decisions about their professional and private lives. The study does however answer the question - did Aurora make a difference. Many of the participants are on their way to becoming leaders in the profession and others have arrived.