Gain the skills to get to the next level in your career
Gain the necessary tools to lead change, confidently accept new challenges, effectively manage professional relationships, lead large teams, and proactively steer your career.
New and aspiring leaders build a foundation for growth, while seasoned executives benefit from reflection, exercises that apply to current leadership challenges, and a return to foundational skills.
There is no minimum service level or application process, though some federal agencies have an internal selection process.
[It was] great to be able to reflect influences on current career path and how we can use those to envision the future. [I] came away with good ideas on how to think strategically about plans for 5-10 years and identify what's really important in evaluating our success.
Women's Leadership Program participant
Schedule
Six full days of in-person instruction spread over five months. Cohorts begin in January and September each year.
Registration closes six business days before the program begins or when capacity is reached.
I found it very interesting to hear everyone's points of view during the discussions and they pointed out several areas I didn't realize I do. Really gave me food for thought on how to move forward as a leader.
Women's Leadership Program particpant
Topics
Expand each section for more information and feedback from previous participants.
-
Power, Politics, and Informal Leadership
Learn the unwritten rules of the organization by exploring three critical skills of informal leadership: Navigating politics, understanding power, and exercising influence.
“The content offered helpful concepts on leadership development—especially the discussion on what it makes to make someone influential, the effective approach to networking and the power of talk.”
–Women’s Leadership Program participant -
Effective Negotiation Strategies
Gain a better understanding of the basic theories of negotiation and improve your ability to maximize total value when negotiating.
“I have a better grasp of the process and understanding the personal bias that can impact the negotiation process.”
–Women’s Leadership Program participant -
Cultivating Executive Presence
Learn and apply specific strategies to better use your personal attributes and values to cultivate a strong, authentic executive presence.
“Great mix of research and thought leadership with practical tips and real-life stories. I appreciate the instructors’s backgrounds, candor, and skill in making questions and lessons relevant to all participants.”
–Women’s Leadership Program participant -
Organizational Culture
Learn evidence-based techniques to integrate into your daily work practices to increase personal well-being and professional impact within your organization.
“So incredibly interesting to learn about organizational culture and ways of how to try and change things.”
–Women’s Leadership Program participant -
Inclusive Leadership: Working Across Differences
Learn to leverage the differences of key stakeholders and achieve better results internally and externally.
-
Leveraging your Strengths
Assess your personal strengths so you can create a plan to focus on these strengths and use them more often.
“It was a great way to close the program after a lot of personal reflection and hearing [other] participant’s experiences. Great tools.”
–Women’s Leadership Program participant
Requirements
Open to all women striving to advance.
- No application or minimum service level required.
- Select government agencies have an internal selection process.
Benefits
Expand each section for more information and feedback from previous participants.
-
Content geared toward challenges faced by women
“This… uses a lot of research and incorporated hard data related to how women are perceived in the workplace, paired with tips on how to approach a situation differently to avoid that perception.” –Women’s Leadership Program participant
-
Designed for working professionals
- Step out of the office six days (two days at a time) over five months
- Ample time between sessions to complete additional readings, activities and online discussions
- Quickly apply key concepts, tools and takeaways to your current role
“Very practical exercises built on one another.” —Women’s Leadership Program participant
-
Supportive learning environment
- In-person sessions include a mix of activities designed to actively engage participants
- Engage with leadership experts, including world-class faculty from WashU Olin and other top-tier business schools
- Gain perspective from one-on-one coaching to find concrete and practical solutions to your most frustrating challenges
“We had ample opportunity to do practical exercises to implement what we’re learning. Also, ample time to benefit from others’ perspectives.” –Women’s Leadership Program participant
-
Career-long alumni network of female leaders
“The value of the Women’s Leadership Program exceeds its curriculum. Yes, I gained valuable tools and techniques. But I also acquired a professional network of amazing, accomplished women.” –Women’s Leadership Program participant
-
Continue growing for less
- 6 units apply toward the 15 required for the Certificate in Public Leadership
- Alumni are eligible for a 25% discount on future executive education courses