Farlow launches consulting business

The gold pendant with the letters ELIA that hangs from around her neck was sent to her from Saudia Arabia, where her daughter was stationed as a member of the military. Her daughter, who is now serving in Baghdad, Iraq, has followed in the footsteps of her mother, who was also in the Army, and father, who retired from the military after 21 years of service.

The letters on Farlow’s pendant represent a kind of motto for the family — wisdom gleaned through years of training in the military and application of life lessons over the years.

ELIA: Equalization through Leadership in Action.

After a year as the workforce assessment coordinator for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Farlow is going to start her own consultation business that will help area businesses and school administrators learn how to apply ELIA.

“Regardless of what you began with, if you are properly trained and learn what it takes to lead yourself to success, that is the great equalizer,” Farlow said.

“I want to be able to go to business owners, manufacturers and public educators and teach them how to implement that idea. It’s about awakening what individuals already have inside of them.”

The consulting business, called ELIA, will provide training and resources to anyone in the tri-state area looking to improve leadership and participation among employees and students. Farlow uses research gleaned while writing her book, “Equalizer Leadership In Action,” to teach business leaders and educators how the ELIA system of strategies promotes positive results in the community, economic sector, and business industries.

“The full benefits of the ELIA system of strategies can only be achieved by focusing on the best method of investigating targeted industry needs, implementing true employer/employee techniques and the delivery of individual transformations,” Farlow said. “I believe that leadership is the process of developing the power to visualize future environments, a willingness to take part in planning, individual growth and implementing necessary resources to make visions become reality.”

Prior to her time at NEO, Farlow taught advanced placement chemistry and physics for six years before becoming the assistance principal of the Copperas Cove Independent School District in Fort Hood, Texas. She said she’s developed a number of ongoing relationships in the business and education sectors over the years that she hopes to parlay into her new business endeavor. Some of that will include seminars and ongoing training sessions, though plans for those things are in the early stages, she said.

“My passion is leadership,” she said. “You can’t fake passion. Life is not all about money. Sometimes it’s about opportunities to see your passion grow. I believe I have a service and I believe this area is prime. Too many people think they know what leadership is, but positional leadership is not true leadership.”

Farlow is currently working on developing a Web site for her new consultation business while at the same time coordinating all of the necessary paperwork and tax information. She said the business should be up and running by mid-to-late September. Those in the tri-state area interested in the consulting services she provides can contact her at (918) 919-0093.