Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge was one of 22 county officials who in April successfully completed Leadership 254, a 14-month program by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of county officials statewide. Representing each county office and coming from rural, suburban and urban counties across the state, the participants of Leadership 254 underwent a competitive selection process to be accepted to the program. Texas Association of Counties provided scholarships to cover the program’s tuition. To complete the course, participants had to navigate a comprehensive curriculum that included four training modules spread over 14 months. The modules totaled 79 hours of immersive classroom and experiential training exercises. “Leadership 254 has been invaluable, enriching my understanding of leadership and equipping me to better navigate my role as a County Judge and better serve my community,” Judge Baldridge said. Leadership 254 focuses on refining leadership skills tailored to the unique challenges faced by county officials. The program’s curriculum blends skills assessments, theory building, self-reflection and empirical learning. Modules focus on exploring new dimensions of self and relating to others; decision-making, integrity and civility; effective leadership strategies; and transformational leadership principles.