Leadership Academy
A leadership development experience for aging services professionals.
Applications for 2025 Leadership Academy are Open!
About Leadership Academy
PROGRAM GOAL
Leadership Academy is a unique program specifically designed to develop the leadership capacity and core competencies of aging services professionals by tapping their natural talents and authentic leadership styles. This eight-month program blends leadership theory, applied learning, and personalized coaching to mentor current and emerging leaders in our field.
PARTICIPANTS
Leadership Academy is available to any staff team member of a LeadingAge Minnesota member organization who demonstrates leadership potential, regardless of position, title or supervisory/management experience. We recommend participants have a minimum two years’ experience in the aging services field.
Program Details
Program Features:
- In-person and virtual collaborative learning experiences.
- Leadership theory through readings, group discussions, and exercises.
- Leaders in Residence conversations with experienced leaders in our field.
- Member site visits to settings across the range of older adult services.
- Mentorship through small coaching teams.
In Person, Metro location | May 14-15
Discover your authentic leadership style and strengths.
In this workshop you will:
- Explore what it means to be an authentic leader.
- Examine and clarify your personal values.
- Identify and leverage your strengths.
Virtual, Half-day | June 9
Design and implement an Action Learning Project in your organization, putting into practice the leadership skills learned in the program as part of the course curriculum.
In this virtual session you will:
- Review the scope and requirements of leading your Action Learning Project for this course.
- Understand the concepts of performance excellence and the components to leading an effective performance improvement project.
- Learn and practice how to identify the root cause of a problem using the “Five Whys” method.
- Engage in interactive group work to brainstorm possible solutions to a problem and discern the best course of action.
In Person, Greater Minnesota location | July 29-30
Explore how to think about and approach your work in different ways that can lead to improved decision-making, problem-solving, and leading others.
In this workshop you will:
- Learn how emotional intelligence complements critical thinking.
- Explore the concept of Three Brain Thinking: the head (intelligence), the heart (passion), and the gut (intuition).
- Understand the process and benefits of integrative thinking.
- Discover the “why” behind what you do.
In Person, Metro location | September 24-25
Explore what motivates and inspires the people with whom you work and interact.
In this workshop you will:
- Know how to identify the key factors that motivate and inspire yourself and others.
- Learn how to create and maintain trusting relationships.
- Practice skills to manage and resolve conflict in the workplace.
- Discover how a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration can reshape organizations and lead to increased levels of employee engagement, respect for others, and purposeful work.
In Person, Metro location| November 19-20
Leverage the skills gained in previous sessions to become a transformational leader for the future of aging services.
In this workshop you will:
- Discuss the changing environment of aging services and the role of a leader.
- Learn the five discovery skills for innovation.
- Explore various models of change management.
- Gain insight into the role of advocacy and how your leadership voice can influence public policy and impact service delivery in new ways.
Small Coaching Teams
The class will be organized into small cohorts of 8-9 individuals for the program duration to promote shared learning, peer support, and accountability partners. Each team is supported by volunteer coach who is a graduate of the Leadership Academy.
... and counting! We have built a vast and supportive network of Leadership Academy alumni since its inception.
Since 2010, Leadership Academy has developed authentic leadership capacity in aging services professionals.
