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Leadership in Challenging Times

This program helps participants strengthen their emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership presence, enabling them to stay grounded in their values and lead with authenticity even under pressure.

Program Overview:

Participants will think through what it means to show up as a leader, how to be responsive to others, and how to adapt meetings and processes to the moment. 

Grounded in the IE PRES Model, this highly interactive workshop blends theatre-based techniques, reflection, and practice to help participants:

  • Respond (vs. react) when under stress

  • Build trust and connection by listening for strengths, values and emotional connection 

  • Communicate with clarity, vulnerability and purpose to inspire others

  • Identify personal triggers (“hot buttons”) and align behavior with values to sustain wellbeing and trust

This program serves as a community space for leaders to debrief their experiences, engage in dialogue and mutual support, and build their capacity to be stable, grounded, inspiring forces for change in challenging times. Participants leave with practical tools for self-regulation, authentic communication, and relationship-centered leadership that they can immediately apply to their schools, teams, and communities.

Plan This Program

Core Objectives:

  • Explore how to tap into the most resilient part of the brain to better manage feelings of anxiety, fear or grief. Shift your response in high stress moments in order to better support teachers and staff.

  • Practice listening to help staff feel appreciated and empowered.

  • Practice communication strategies to deepen trust with staff.

  • Learn how showing up with authenticity + strategic vulnerability strengthens culture. Explore strategies for owning and managing your hot-button tendencies in a way that will strengthen your relationships with your team.

  • Build connections and mutual support with colleagues.

    • Getting present in high stress situations

    • Reaching out through active listening

    • Becoming more expressive with an inspiring message

    • Skill application discussion and practice

    • Coaching (from facilitator and peers)

    • Breakout sessions for small group conversation

    • Integrated opportunities for targeted reflection

    • Group Size: Small (Max 10) or Large (Max 40 in person, Max 25 virtually)

    • Duration: 4 hours (presented as a half day program, both in person and virtually)

  • Leaders navigating high stress, uncertainty, crisis or chaos; Can be adapted for whole-school teams and/or a broader range of roles

optional Program variation

This program can be offered with an increased, targeted emphasis on teacher/staff retention.

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What Past Participants Are Saying:

  • “This session could not have come at a better time for me – very relevant to addressing the challenges I am facing as a school leader. The tools presented are very relevant, I’m taking these with me as I meet with my teachers.”

  • “I always feel a form of imposter syndrome in my leadership roles. It’s helpful to have a community to engage in professional development with in a manner that is responsive to the stress and pressure we experience.”

  • “This was a great way to learn from other leaders from similar and different teams. Allowed us the opportunity to reflect on current practices, success, and struggles as well as to plan for future work.”

  • “The content is versatile and the facilitators created a dynamic and vulnerable space. I appreciate the opportunity to learn and practice relevant leadership skills. The material is very intentional and transferable to all settings, but specific enough that it addresses current needs in my school environment.”

  • “This was powerful; didn't know I needed it. We need more of this work! I’m so glad I was part of  this session. It was right on time and provided relevant strategies that I can implement as I return to my building.”