Leaders Academy

Learn the methods to lead others efficiently and effectively in order to save time, reduce turnover, minimize risk, and make organizations more productive.

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Are your leaders adapting to today’s ever-changing workplace? Give them a competitive edge by sending them to learn the latest research, trends, and best solutions in today’s business environment from UGA’s Terry College of Business faculty.

Video Overview

Program Options

In-Person (Atlanta)
Dates:
May 5-7, 2025 
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST
Program Fees:
$3,450
Live-Virtual
Dates:
TBD 2025
Three weeks, twice weekly
9 a.m.–1 p.m. EST
Program Fees:
$3,450
Contact: Jordan King

Special rates are available for UGA alumni and multiple registrants from the same company.

Program Overview

This program focuses on the processes and principles that characterize excellence in leadership and how to successfully transition from individual contributor to leader.

The program consists of self-assessments, case studies, peer-to-peer learning, and action plans to improve individual and team performance that can be put into practice immediately.

After completing the program, participants will have the skills and confidence to lead and motivate others, influence stakeholders, leverage resources, and enhance business processes to meet strategic goals.

What You’ll Learn

Topics in the program include:

Program Kick-Off

Webinar on Effective Communication
Includes group debrief of pre-assessment SDI Strength Deployment Inventory.

  • Learn to choose the best approach for engaging others
  • Meet your cohort
  • Understand from the assessment why we behave as we do and how we relate to others
How to Lead and Manage Others
  • Identify and emulate the characteristics of a great leader
  • Understand the difference between leading and managing – and why both are critical to success
  • Understand what the transition to managing others is like and learn how to do it successfully
  • Learn how to get and respond to feedback from employees – how to “continuously improve” as a leader
  • Motivate others to achieve desired outcomes
  • Navigate “managing up” the organizational structure as well
Engagement and Developing Positive Workplace Culture
  • Define key terms like values, mission, culture, employee satisfaction and team building – how do you identify, communicate, and improve?
  • Consider how workplace culture changes and evolves – and how to change it
  • Examine an existing culture and work to improve it with your team
  • Learn that goals and success are important – but so are the people and relationships that create that success. Great leaders can find and maintain a healthy balance
  • Explore the role of accountability, empathy, inclusion, and engagement and meaning in leadership
  • Discuss how to recognize and address both toxic workplaces and individuals
  • Discuss the idea of a “bigger purpose” at work, leading to better retention and attracting new outstanding employees
  • Learn how to measure workplace culture with the simple Net Promoter Score tool plus ongoing individual and group conversations
Leading Projects
  • Understand the definition of a project and role of the project’s manager
  • Develop management procedures to promote coordination and cooperation among project participants with different backgrounds and priorities
  • Plan a project and track milestones using the Work Breakdown Structure
  • Determine resources and manage a budget
  • Learn various monitoring and follow-up techniques to get things done
  • Understand process-related behaviors which can enhance teamwork and increase the likelihood of a project’s success
Building Effective Teams
  • Secrets of great teamwork
  • Team roles & preferences
  • Leadership & engagement
  • Trust, psychological safety & relationship quality
  • Diversity in teams
  • Remote work and teams
  • Building Effective Teams
Practical Diversity
  • Appreciate that diversity and inclusion is not something to be dreaded by organizations
  • Understand the legal underpinnings of diversity and inclusion
  • Explore challenges of being different in the arena of business, where conformity is normally the currency for getting along and getting ahead
  • Understand that all employees have a part in D&I, and will come to realize they actually want it
  • Walk away with tools to use in dealing with these issues on an individual basis
  • Recognize that it’s all about love. Seriously.
Critical Thinking and Decision Making
  • Explore strategic decision-making processes
  • Understand the roles of uncertainty and biases
  • Analyze the trade-offs among time, cost, and productive resources to make sound business decisions
  • Learn techniques for analyzing data to determine the best course of action
  • Describe issue and crisis management and learn from case study examples
  • Prepare to adapt strategy according to perils and successes
Performance Management, Coaching, and Conflict Resolution
  • Learn about effective styles of leadership but specifically one I call “Chameleon Leadership”
  • Discuss coaching styles that allow employees as much autonomy as possible
  • Understand “the boss card” and when and if to use it (also known as “because I said so,” which is just a disaster)
  • Establish clear processes for Performance Consequence Management, even if your company has no clear guidance
  • Discuss the role of performance reviews in support of ongoing conversations
  • Learn how to find balance between empathy and compassion with the need for results
  • Complete role plays that help you practice giving feedback to employees (we can talk about this, but you must do it and practice it – both good and bad)
Leading and Managing Change
  • Learn practical tools and best practices to effectively lead change
  • Understand the application of change frameworks and common responses to change
  • Identify how to mobilize key stakeholders to co-create, implement, and manage change

What’s Included?

  • Interactive instruction from research-based MBA faculty and experienced practitioners
  • Dynamic learning experience at the Terry Executive Education Center in Atlanta
  • Certificate in Business Leadership and Digital Badge from UGA Executive Education, Terry College of Business
  • SDI (Strength Deployment Inventory) assessment
  • Welcome networking reception
  • All program materials, readings, workbooks, etc.
  • Parking
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification (optional)
  • Add-On Executive Coaching (optional)

Who Will Benefit

  • Individuals seeking to build or improve current leadership effectiveness
  • Individuals new to leading or supervising others
  • Groups of managers from the same organization seeking to build an organizational leadership culture
  • Employers onboarding new hires who will manage others
  • Employers promoting individual contributors to leadership positions

Takeaways

  • Set performance and development goals for others
  • Provide usable and constructive performance feedback
  • Motivate others to achieve desired results
  • Sharpen decision-making and communication skills
  • Resolve conflict in a way that promotes performance and personal dignity
  • Build team alignment, relationships, and processes
  • Guide others successfully through organizational and professional change

Program Schedules

In-Person Schedule

Three consecutive days, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST
Kick-offVirtual Seminar: Employee Engagement Through Effective Communication
Day 1Managing Others
Engaging and Developing Positive Workplace Culture
Leading Projects
Day 2Building Effective Teams
Practical Diversity
Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Day 3Performance Management, Coaching, and Conflict Resolution
Leading and Managing Change
Post-Program Continuous LearningLean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Online (optional)
Add-On Executive Coaching (optional)

Live-Virtual Schedule

Three weeks, twice weekly, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. EST
Week 1
Day 1How to Lead & Manage Others
Engaging and Developing Positive Workplace Culture
Day 2Leading Projects
Week 2
Day 1Building Effective Teams
Day 2Critical Thinking and Decision Making
Week 3
Day 1Performance Management, Coaching, and Conflict Resolution
Day 2Leading and Managing Change
Post-Program Continuous LearningLean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Online (optional)
Add-On Executive Coaching (optional)

Anticipated Faculty

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  • Associate Professor Emeritus, Legal Studies Program, Executive Education
Stacy Campbell
  • Synovus Director, Institute for Leadership Advancement
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  • Associate Director and Senior Lecturer, Entrepreneurship
Head shot of Onyedika Ekwerike
  • Lecturer, Institute for Leadership Advancement
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  • Chick-Fil-A Distinguished Professor for Leadership Advancement, Institute for Leadership Advancement
  • Professor, Department of Management
Marty Parker Headshot
  • Senior Lecturer, Department of Management
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  • Associate Dean for Research and Executive Programs, Office of the Dean
  • C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Distinguished Chair of Business Administration and Professor, Department of Management

Post-Program Continuous Learning Options

Upon completion of Leaders Academy, you have the option to participate in our post-programs to further focus and develop your leadership skills.

  • Learn principles of Lean Six Sigma
  • Gain an understanding of the problem-solving DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) with an in-depth look at the Define phase
  • Understand emerging trends in design thinking techniques

Fees included with Leaders Academy registration.

Options are available for one-on-one coaching from UGA faculty and affiliate instructors and executive coaches. We will match leaders with compatible coaches for one-on-one guidance sessions at mutually agreed times to reinforce program learnings and facilitate ongoing development. Discussion topics will be tailored to individual need and current issues.

Additional fees will apply for this optional experience.

Want to Learn More?

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Headshot of Jordan King
  • Associate Director of Open Enrollment Programs & Conferences, Executive Education