For the past two summers, Greg’s firstborn, Lincoln, stepped away from his beloved job at the Hartwick Marina in Delhi to tag along with his dad and learn about Dardis Communications. The result: a newfound appreciation for Dad, plus a glimpse into a future branch of the business.
We asked Lincoln to share his experience with the Dardis community. He observed and then participated in our Dardis Academy Classroom to Career program, which provides first-class training to high school and college students. It’s intended to empower the next generation of leaders, equipping them with vital communication skills. Initial programming through Dardis Academy, including at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, has been very well received. (Stay tuned for future newsletters for more information.)
“Over the years, I’ve had a rough idea of what my dad does, but I didn’t know how well he does,” said Lincoln, a high-school senior. “This was the first time I saw him stand up in front of a big crowd and own the room. It was really cool to see my dad, along with Angie and Tyson, in action. They’re incredible.”
Lincoln was impressed by the format of Dardis’s training. “It’s structured really well because we have all these different exercises that build together,” he said. “Once you know how to put all the pieces together, it’s much easier. The way they teach it really sticks.”
The impact is profound. “When you’re in a room with people you don’t know and you have the Dardis playbook, it makes a huge difference,” he said.
His favorite takeaway was how effective the skills are in masking nervousness. He also enjoyed the opportunity to network with other smart, driven teens – some of whom he’s kept in touch with. “It’s great to meet new people, especially other kids who are like you and hungry to do better.”
He can see the appeal of Dardis Academy. “I’m happy for these kids who get to receive Dardis training. They were already really smart kids, going into it, but this training gave them an extra boost. They’ve studied and developed hard skills, but this gives them the soft skills that will bridge the gap from the classroom to their career. It’ll take them to the next level.”