(GLENDALE, Ariz.) Jan. 31, 2008 — Thunderbird School of Global Management is taking the concept of doing business on the golf course to new levels. March 17-20, the school is partnering with The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale and GolfTEC to offer a four-day program in leadership that will include sessions both on and off the golf course.

This is the second year Thunderbird is offering the program, which was highly successful last year, according to Bonnie Cameron Wells, senior director of open enrollment programs.

Todd Wilson, director of sales for AT&T participated in the first time the program and had this to say: “The On the Course of Leadership program was one of the highlights of my long business career. The ability to interact with other senior leaders was fantastic,” he said. “You think sometimes your issues are unique to your company or industry, they are not. I would recommend this program for any serious minded leader to engage in.”

The On the Course of Leadership program is a classroom- and golf course-based program that will give managers the opportunity to expand their leadership skills in the areas of communication, decision-making/accountability, execution, reflection and action planning.  Managers will have an opportunity to work with other successful managers both on and off the golf course.

“The importance of highly developed leadership skills can’t be overstated as a key element in the success of today’s top global leaders,” says Caren Siehl, the Thunderbird professor who designed and teaches the program. “This program, like all others at Thunderbird, will specifically address the relevant challenges managers face when conducting global business. Because of our global scope, participants will have the opportunity to create a lifetime contact list while sharing best practices and experiences with program participants from around the world.”

Through the program, participants will gain a better understanding of their leadership style, overcome their current leadership challenges and create a leadership communication strategy to enhance their ability to influence others. They also will learn how to gain and sustain the commitment of  key stakeholders; create a leadership action plan to sustain their newly enhanced skills and maintain increased effectiveness and share best practices and create relationships with other senior-level participants on the golf course.

GolfTEC, a company that helps improve golfers’ skills, will be onsite with a PGA tour professional and will provide an instruction experience for each participant, a discussion on course etiquette and attire, and a special skills contest on the golf course

The program will be offered March 17-20, 2008. The cost of the program is $5,500, which includes hotel accommodations. To register, visit www.thunderbird.edu/golf and click on the "On the Course of Leadership" link. Registration deadline is Feb. 8. For more information, contact Bonnie Cameron Wells at bonnie.cameron.wells@thunderbird.edu or 602-978-7623.