Nurturing Leaders
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
– John Quincy Adams
At Watershape University (WU) our entire structure and guiding focus is based on the concept of professionals leading professionals. We believe by seeding a mentoring class of experienced professionals, our industry will be better able to attract and develop a new generation of watershapers.
That effort is manifested in the International Watershape Institute (IWI). This group of certified and accomplished industry veterans exists to provide principled leadership for the WU faculty, the Live Blue Foundation and the entire pool, spa and aquatics industry.
IWI team members drive outreach efforts, culture and passion through events outside of WU as well as within our schools. Some of these activities and events are educational but mostly they focus on improving the pool, spa and aquatics industry through social and philanthropic endeavors, raising money for the Live Blue Foundation and teaming up with related associations and institutes. IWI’s leadership comes from all teammates, with a select committee managing the Institute and driving our principles, policies and priorities through the Foundation.
COACHING
All members of the IWI team have met the stringent educational requirements within key disciplines leading to success in the pool industry: Design, Engineering, Construction and Business. Throughout the educational process, connections are made between students and teachers seeding a natural mentoring process that identifies and forms new leaders in the industry.
With the strength of the WU / IWI team behind them, students can stretch their horizons to take on technical challenges in the marketplace and to learn how to give back to the industry and society. One way to give back is by sharing unique insights through this, our digital resource, WaterShapes.com. Those who wish to explore teaching, start by being paired with an experienced WU instructor on a short-program profiling a specific project – usually one they have done together. Actions in the area of community involvement, can be as easy as supporting organizations that teach underprivileged children how to swim.
Ultimately, IWI members rise to the level of mentoring or coaching others in the industry. Coaching organically spreads what WU teaches – which means putting our technical papers and standards into action and conforming to the highest possible technical and business practices.
In addition to guiding upcoming designers and builders, some coaching efforts are directed at manufacturers who seek the clear expertise of the IWI team when considering new product development or existing product enhancement. After all, who better to help with the future of a product than the team that is on the leading edge of technology?
Our team members design, engineer and build the most challenging projects and push the limits of watershaping practices, so it is important that the long-term service and maintenance of our watershapes is supported with robust products and rock-solid industry practices. In that way, our focus extends beyond the builder segment into the realm of pool operator, servicers and others who participate in the care and feeding of modern watershape environments.
WOLFPACK
Our symbol, or mascot, “Wolfpack” was purposely selected. Why?
In the traditional sense, a wolfpack is a group of people or things that operate as a hunting and attacking pack. According to the Urban Dictionary, a wolfpack is a group of friends that are bounded together by loyalty, love and respect of each other, once in a wolfpack you are truly devoted to your pack and will do anything and everything for them.”
Wolves are smart and independent in thought; but interdependent in strategy and action. IWI members are educated and well positioned to improve the industry by working together to prevail over those who don’t know or follow good practices.
The WU Wolfpack awaits you. What are you waiting for?
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