Leadership Institute 2026
Program Overview
March to November 2026
11 full-day sessions
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Leadership Institute is a dynamic, cohort-based professional development program designed to develop confident, ethical, and effective leaders. Each class combines expert-led instruction, interactive activities, and a Community Leader Panel, giving participants direct access to local leaders and practical insights.
Facilitated by Rick Lochner of RPC Leadership Associates and Dr. Laticia Thompson of Legacy Blueprint, this program emphasizes reflection, application, and continuous growth, ensuring participants leave with tools they can immediately apply in their professional and personal lives.
Participation in the Leadership Institute by application only to ensure a committed and engaged cohort experience. Interested candidates must complete an application to be considered for acceptance into the program. Upon acceptance, the program investment is $1,500, which covers all sessions and program materials.
Applications close on Monday, March 9th, 2026
Daily Class Structure
- 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Networking & Introductions
- 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Lesson: Core Instruction & Discussion
- 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break
- 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Lesson Cont.: Applied Learning & Activities
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Lunch Provided by NACC
- 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM | Community Leader Panel
- 1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Wrap-Up, Lessons Learned, Homework & Next Steps
Curriculum Outline
Class 1: Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
Monday, March 23rd
Objective: Build a foundation of emotional intelligence by increasing self-awareness and learning strategies for self-regulation.
Participants are introduced to the core components of emotional intelligence and complete a DISC assessment to better understand their behavioral tendencies. Through group discussions, case studies, and role-playing exercises, participants explore how emotions influence leadership effectiveness and interpersonal relationships.
Class 2: Core Values & Ethical Leadership
Monday, April 13th
Objective: Identify personal core values and apply ethical decision-making frameworks to leadership scenarios.
This session focuses on values-based leadership and ethical responsibility. Participants engage in guided value-identification exercises and work through real-world ethical dilemmas to strengthen decision-making skills.
Attitude as a key tenant. How attitude impacts behavior and in turn desired results.
Class 3: Personal Branding & Presence
Monday, May 4th
Objective: Develop a clear personal brand and professional presence, both in person and online.
This class explores personal branding, networking strategies, and social media etiquette. Participants complete branding worksheets, practice networking scenarios, and review LinkedIn best practices.
Class 4: Communication & Public Speaking
Monday, June 1st
Objective: Strengthen communication skills and build confidence in public speaking.
Participants learn the fundamentals of effective storytelling, verbal and nonverbal communication, and audience engagement. Activities include impromptu speaking exercises, peer feedback, and short presentations.
Class 5: Goal Setting & Execution
Monday, June 22nd
Objective: Create actionable goals and develop strategies to overcome common barriers.
Using the SMART goal framework, participants develop short- and long-term goals supported by realistic action plans. Case studies and peer feedback help refine execution strategies.
Class 6: Time Management & Productivity
Monday, July 13th
Objective: Improve productivity by learning effective time management and prioritization techniques.
Participants are introduced to tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix and productivity planning methods. Activities include time-log analysis, team simulations, and building a personalized planning system.
Class 7: Conflict Resolution & Difficult Conversations
Monday, August 3rd
Objective: Learn to manage conflict constructively and navigate challenging conversations with confidence and empathy.
Participants explore the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and practice empathy-based communication techniques through role-playing and case analysis.
Class 8: Building & Leading Teams
Monday, August 24th
Objective: Understand team dynamics and adapt leadership styles to motivate and guide teams effectively.
This session covers Tuckman’s stages of team development and various leadership styles. Participants engage in a hands-on team challenge followed by group discussion and reflection.
Class 9: Delegation & Empowerment
Monday, September 14th
Objective: Strengthen leadership capacity by mastering delegation and empowering others.
Participants examine the benefits of effective delegation and common barriers leaders face. Through simulations and guided discussion, they develop practical delegation plans.
Class 10: Business Acumen & Operations
Monday, October 5th
Objective: Build business acumen by understanding how organizations operate, how decisions get made, and what leaders should pay attention to financially.
Participants will learn the basics of budgets, financial reports, and the key numbers that signal business health and performance.
Class 11: Sustaining Leadership Growth
Monday, November 16th
Objective: Create a plan for ongoing leadership development beyond the program.
The final session focuses on mentorship, continuous learning, and long-term growth planning. Participants review goals, reflect on progress, and celebrate their accomplishments during the closing ceremony.
Graduation Ceremony
Monday, December 7th
Institute Showcase Poster Presentations: Each participant shares what they learned through a short, engaging presentation that highlights key takeaways, growth, and real-world application. This creates a meaningful way to celebrate progress, strengthen communication skills, and bring the full cohort together in a final, high-energy Institute-style experience.