LEAD Local

You're constantly asked to make calls with incomplete information, competing priorities, and no time to wait for certainty. It's easy to get swept into reacting to whatever's loudest, rather than what truly matters. And the pressure to get it right can leave you stuck between moving too fast and not moving at all.

In this interactive session, you'll build the judgment to cut through complexity, gain perspective before you act, and know when to move fast versus when to slow down. You'll leave with a sharper decision-making instinct, ready to lead with clarity and confidence, even when the answers aren't all there.

In Person: Wednesday, September 30 | Doors Open: 9:15 a.m. | Workshop Begins Promptly: 9:30 a.m. | Session Ends: 1:00 p.m. with optional boxed lunch for purchase at checkout

*Strategic Decision Making was previously offered in the 2025-2026 learning calendar and titled 'Strategic Thinking for Complex Times'

*Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.

The most effective leaders start by leading themselves first. In times of constant change, leaders often feel pressure to remain steady and strong despite shifting priorities, incomplete information, and under-resourced teams. Yet inside, they may feel rattled or uncertain. It’s natural to slip into reactivity, second-guess decisions, or jump into problem-solving mode. Over time, this can become exhausting and lead to burnout. 

In this interactive session, you’ll learn to recognize your patterns under stress, shift from reactive to creative thinking, and intentionally direct your energy toward what matters most. You’ll leave with practical strategies to help you stay grounded, make clearer choices, and lead confidently, no matter what comes next.  

• Leading Through Change was previously offered in the 2025-2026 learning calendar

• Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.

You want to feel confident contributing your ideas and advancing your career. Still, that inner voice keeps telling you that you're not qualified, experienced, or smart enough, leaving you waiting for more credentials or certainty before taking action. 

In this interactive session, we'll slow down and explore when the inner critic shows up for each of us, and how to tap the inner wisdom we already have to become our own best advocate. You'll learn practical techniques to channel nervous energy into curiosity, then go through an exercise to identify your zone of genius, the place where your strengths and energy meet and you do your best work. You'll leave with the confidence to stop letting fear disguised as "not ready yet" hold you back, and the clarity to bring your fresh perspective and unique gifts to the work that matters most.

• Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.

Delivering strategic results consistently depends on mobilizing partners, customers, and stakeholders across boundaries and functions. Formal authority is rare, and even when you have it, it doesn't always reach the people or decisions that matter most. 

In this interactive session, you'll build the mindset and skills to lead through relationship rather than position, understanding what truly motivates the people around you and turning that insight into genuine influence. You'll leave with a stronger ability to build trust, earn buy-in, and move work forward, no matter your title or role.

• Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.

Poor accountability in the workplace creates frustration and extra work, erodes trust, and ultimately impacts results. Yet getting accountability right can be surprisingly difficult. When something isn’t working, how much of it is mine to own? How do I hold others accountable without slipping into blame? And when does being helpful cross the line into taking over someone else’s responsibility?

In this interactive session, you’ll explore your own patterns around accountability and learn practical ways to own what’s yours, stay empowered even when much is outside your control, support without rescuing, and challenge others without resorting to blame. You’ll leave with tools to create greater ownership, trust, and shared accountability - regardless of your role or level of authority.

• Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.

You want to influence decisions, advance your career, and make a meaningful impact in your mission-driven work. Yet you're competing in a world where AI can research, analyze, and write better than most humans. Your human advantage is to communicate with the clarity and connection that builds trust and drives action. 

In this interactive session, you'll learn research-backed frameworks for structuring your thoughts, matching your communication style to what the moment requires, and leveraging your uniquely human ability to read rooms and adapt in real-time. Develop the communication skills and leadership presence that make you irreplaceable in an AI world.

• Leadership Presence was previously offered in the 2025-2026 learning calendar

• Online registration pricing includes credit card processing fees. Pricing without credit card processing fees is $250 for general registration and $225 for Leadership Council SMC alumni, partners, and community members.