Leadership Learning Communities

The Warren Bennis Leadership Institute strives to cultivate transformative, authentic, and values-driven leaders. We recognize that this is best accomplished by learning in community with others. In some cases, our leadership learning community programs focus on specific leadership skill development through practice and feedback offered within a supportive cohort. In other learning communities, we strive to meet the unique needs of various types of leaders.

This open-enrollment program is geared toward IT and technical professionals and focuses on leadership for innovation. Cohorts meet both in-person and virtually once a month for five months. Content includes: 

  • A 360-degree assessment to uncover your leadership style 
  • Managing differences
  • Developing relational skills (conflict, feedback, etc.) 
  • Leveraging your network for innovation 
  • Boundary spanning leadership 

Following a networking activity designed to help pair mentors and mentees, participants in the kickoff retreat learn about general mentoring best practices based on academic research findings. Mentors and mentees then split into two groups to learn about best practices specific to their role. Lastly, mentor-mentee pairs are engaged in several activities to develop key mentorship skills such as active listening, goal setting, and asking powerful questions. 

Following the kickoff retreat, mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet at least monthly for six months, during which time we send monthly activities and discussion questions to facilitate these monthly meetings. We also engage both mentors and mentees in a mid-point meeting to identify and share both challenges and best practices within the cohort.

This six-week hybrid program enables transformational learning by nurturing the unique strengths of women leaders to thrive amid complexity and change.  While this course specifically addresses ways that women participate and thrive in leadership, men are welcome and encouraged to attend. The course helps participants embrace their leadership identity, fostering growth in self-confidence, a willingness to take calculated risks, resilience and a paradox mindset to navigate complex challenges effectively.

Rooted in research and real-world leadership expertise, three scholars — Lindner dean Marianne Lewis, PhD, Marketing Professor-Educator Jane Sojka, PhD, and WBLI Thornburgh Academic Director Donna Chrobot-Mason, PhD — build your capabilities through innovative frameworks, self-reflection and a supportive cohort.

Visit Skills@UC for course availability.

This annual spring event offers a unique opportunity for professionals in various career stages and students to meet and discuss work/life challenges, share ideas and learn from each other in an engaging format.

Participants are divided into small groups to discuss thought-provoking questions, rotate through different groups, and come together for a summary and refreshments. It's a perfect blend of professional development and networking to foster meaningful connections and insights.