Disruptive Leadership

Disruption is any person or thing that prevents something from continuing as usual or as expected. We see this with our clients in generational changes, difficult conversations, and conflict resolution. But what about the more sensitive disruptors, including psychological safety, emotions at work, diversity, privilege, trust, and authenticity?

The Disruptive Leadership Series allows us to have honest conversations in a safe environment as we address challenges affecting our area in a positive way and create a greater sense of connectedness, optimism, motivation, and understanding. Join us for one of our upcoming 2026 webinars:

• Webinar #1: The Science of Happiness in Leadership: The Hidden Power of Calm, Courage, and Connection
  What if happiness isn’t a personality trait, but a leadership strategy? Modern neuroscience shows that leaders influence more than outcomes — they influence the nervous system climate of the people around them. Sustainable happiness in leadership emerges not from upbeat messaging, but from a leader’s ability to regulate their own physiology and model emotional steadiness — a leadership practice known as emotional stewardship. In this 60-minute session, Dr. Kelly Baez — trauma counselor, certified first responder counselor, and resilience educator — explores how happiness science, nervous system regulation, and ethical leadership intersect. Participants will learn why 40% of happiness is within our control, why “forced positivity” often backfires, and how regulated leaders foster more engaged, resilient teams. The session also includes practical polyvagal techniques and evidence-based happiness strategies leaders can apply immediately.
  
  • Thursday, January 29, at 11 a.m.
  • Dr. Kelly Baez
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• Webinar #2: Leading in the Gray: Disrupting the Myth of Certainty
  This session explores adaptive leadership in times of ambiguity. This topic challenges the traditional expectation that leaders must always have clear answers, instead positioning uncertainty as a strategic advantage. Participants will learn how to use “productive doubt” to spark innovation, build psychological safety around experimentation and failure, and apply simple frameworks that help organizations move forward even when all the answers are not yet known.
  
  • Thursday, February 26, at 11 a.m.
  • Rachel Jones Schmidt
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• Webinar #3: Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewiring the Brain for Influence
  Unlock the science behind effective leadership by exploring how the brain shapes decisions, behaviors, and influence. In this interactive session, participants will discover the latest neuroscience research and learn practical strategies to rewire their own thinking patterns for stronger influence, better decision-making, and more resilient leadership.
  
  • Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m.
  • Christina Martin
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• Webinar #4: You Are Doing Too Much (Overcoming Over-Functioning)
  This session helps leaders recognize and disrupt the trap of over-functioning, the habit of doing more than their share and mistaking activity for impact. Participants will learn how to shift from doing to developing, set healthy boundaries, and empower their teams to grow while leading with greater balance and clarity.
  
  • Thursday, April 23, at 11 a.m.
  • Brian Fitzpatrick
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• Webinar #5: How small leadership habits fuel clarity, focus, and well-being at work
  Why do some leaders leave people feeling motivated while others unintentionally drain energy? Research shows that everyday leadership habits significantly shape the emotional climate of a team. The encouraging news is that energizing leadership comes from intentional, repeatable practices rather than personality changes. In this session, we will explore what the science reveals about energizing versus draining environments and turn those insights into simple habits leaders can use right away. Participants will learn how to reduce common energy drains, communicate more clearly, create small moments of predictability, and strengthen belonging and psychological safety.
  
  • Thursday, May 28, at 11 a.m.
  • Susan-June Carroll
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• Webinar #6: The Leadership Gap: How Board Dynamics Can Strengthen or Strain A Nonprofit’s Impact
  
  The effectiveness of a nonprofit board in advancing its mission depends greatly on leadership—especially the relationship between the board chair and the CEO, and the overall dynamic between the board and its members. Strong communication, mutual respect, accountability, and trust are the foundation of a healthy board culture. When these elements are present, boards can navigate challenges with confidence and lead their organizations toward meaningful impact. Leadership skills and competencies are not just desirable—they are essential. Serving on a nonprofit board is more than holding a title; it’s about applying experience and knowledge to strengthen both individual and collective performance. Nonprofit boards that fail to address leadership gaps risk unintended consequences. This webinar invites current and aspiring board members to reflect on their leadership approach and discover practical strategies to enhance collaboration, build trust, and lead with purpose.
  • Thursday, June 18, at 11 a.m.
  • Glenda Hicks
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• Webinar #7: Centering Influence Beyond Management and Leadership: Understanding What Shapes Judgment, Values, and Influence
  Drawing on themes from Stephen B. Young’s book America vs. the Overclass, this webinar examines the rise of an increasingly other-directed culture and its implications for leadership, decision-making, and institutional life. As external expectations, institutional pressures, and social norms exert greater influence, an important question emerges: What shapes the judgment of those entrusted to lead? Stephen B. Young and Tara Marshall introduce Centering Influence, a framework for understanding how competing influences shape judgment, decision-making, and leadership. The webinar examines the concepts of inner-direction and other-direction, the forces that can pull leaders toward increasing other-direction, and the implications these dynamics have for responsibility, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. It also introduces the Centering Influence Assessment, a companion tool that provides insight into the balance between inner-direction and other-direction and the forces that influence movement between them. Leadership is often defined by the ability to influence others. This webinar begins with a different question: What influences the leader?
  
  • Thursday, August 18, at 11 a.m.
  • Steve Young & Tara Marshall
  • Register Here

• Webinar #8: Are You a Multiplier?
  This session will focus on unlocking the leader within, who brings out the best in others. Great leaders are not defined by what they know, but by how they ignite the potential in the people they serve. In this session, you will explore the strategies and characteristics that "Multipliers" use to empower, inspire ownership, elevate performance, and cultivate new leaders that positively impact any school, company, or workplace.
  
  • Thursday, September 17, at 11 a.m.
  • Dr. James Holoman
  • Register Here

• Webinar #9: Feedback Without Freakout: The Art and Science of Giving and Receiving Feedback
  
  Feedback doesn’t have to be scary—or awkward. In this interactive session, we’ll explore practical strategies to make feedback a tool for growth rather than a source of stress. Learn how to deliver feedback with clarity and empathy, receive it with confidence, and turn every conversation into an opportunity for improvement. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this workshop will help you build a feedback culture that feels constructive, not confrontational.
  • Thursday, October 22, at 11 a.m.
  • Craig Butera
  • Register Here

• Webinar #10:The Energy of Belonging: How to Spark Workplace Community
  
  Belonging isn’t just a feel-good concept, it’s a powerful energy source that fuels engagement, creativity, and resilience in teams. This session explores how leaders can intentionally create conditions where people feel seen, supported, and significant. Through reflection, interactive activities, and practical tools, participants will discover how to transform workplace culture from a collection of individuals into a connected, high-performing community. This 60-minute session blends neuroscience, leadership best practices, and real-world examples to help participants turn belonging into a measurable, renewable source of team energy.
  • Thursday, November 19, at 11 a.m.
  • Chelsea Powell
  • Register Here

• Webinar #11: Driving Your Message Home: Lessons from the Boardroom to the Dugout
  Clear and effective communication is one of the most essential leadership skills in today’s complex environment. Leaders must be able to communicate well, whether they are preparing for a weekly team meeting, delivering a major presentation, or sharing a special message to rally their community around a new initiative. This session will focus on practical lessons for creating impactful communications in any scenario. Nancy will share insights gained from her decades of experience in communications, spanning industries such as entertainment, transportation, and sports.
  
  • Thursday, December 10, at 11 a.m.
  • Nancy Elder
  • Register Here