The Emerging Leadership Academy (ELA) is a professional development program designed for emerging municipal leaders. Through a series of focused, interactive virtual workshops, participants build the mindset and practical tools needed to lead with clarity, build trust, and drive results in complex public-sector environments.

Each workshop is virtual via Zoom, runs 3 hours, and includes a pre-assessment completed before class. The approach is practical and interactive, focused on the real situations professionals face every day.

The program consists of six core workshops and culminates in a Capstone Project where participants apply everything they have learned to a real-world leadership scenario.

Additional course detail is provided in the sections below.

• Course Topics
  • Fundamentals of leadership
  • Effective communication
  • Project management
  • Conflict management
  • Professional presentations
  • Leading through change
• Course Outline

  Workshop 1: Fundamentals of Leadership

  Strong leadership is essential for creating high-performing teams and thriving organizations. This workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of leadership, equipping them with the mindset and tools to influence with clarity, build trust, and take action that inspires others.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the difference between managing tasks & leading people
  • Recognize core qualities of effective leaders
  • Tools for earning trust with coworkers & customers
  • Learn how to motivate teams & hold each other accountable

  Workshop 2: Fundamentals of Effective Communication

  Learn to write clear, professional emails, speak up with confidence in meetings, and listen effectively to teammates, supervisors, and customers. Explore simple frameworks for giving feedback that is both direct and respectful to build clarity, trust, and accountability at work.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Write clear, professional emails
  • Tips for speaking up in meetings & briefings with confidence
  • Listen better to teammates, supervisors, & customers
  • Simple frameworks for giving feedback that is direct but respectful

  Workshop 3: Fundamentals of Project Management

  From launching new initiatives to improving day-to-day operations, successful projects require planning, coordination, and follow-through. This session introduces the basics of project management in a straightforward, practical, and easy-to-apply way.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Clarify goals and scope to ensure alignment
  • Review tools for setting priorities & meeting deadlines
  • Gain clarity on roles & responsibilities within a team project

  Workshop 4: Fundamentals of Conflict Management

  From navigating differing opinions to managing competing priorities, conflict is a natural part of working with others. When handled effectively, it can lead to better decisions, stronger relationships, and improved team performance.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what causes conflict & how to recognize it early
  • Address issues directly while maintaining professionalism
  • A framework for having productive, solution-focused conversations
  • How to manage emotions & stay composed under pressure

  Workshop 5: Fundamentals of Professional Presentations

  From leading team updates to presenting project outcomes, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently is a critical leadership skill. Strong presentations are not only about what you say but also about how you structure your message, engage your audience, and deliver it.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Structure your message so it is clear, concise, & easy to follow
  • Communicate key points with confidence and presence
  • Engage your audience and keep their attention
  • Manage nerves and stay composed before & during presentations

  Workshop 6: Fundamentals of Leading Through Change

  From shifting priorities to evolving community needs, change is a constant in municipal organizations. Leading through change requires more than processes—it demands clarity, communication, and the ability to stay steady under pressure.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize and manage personal & team responses to change
  • Strategies to stay composed, focused, & clear in uncertain situations
  • Communicate effectively even when information is incomplete
  • Techniques to support, influence, & guide others through transition

  Capstone Project: Leadership in Action

  Participants apply leadership, communication, project management, conflict resolution, presentation, and change leadership skills to a real-world organizational scenario.

• What you will learn
  • Understand the difference between managing tasks & leading people
  • Recognize core qualities of effective leaders
  • Tools for earning trust with coworkers & customers
  • Learn how to motivate teams & hold each other accountable
  • Write clear, professional emails
  • Tips for speaking up in meetings & briefings with confidence
  • Listen better to teammates, supervisors, & customers
  • Simple frameworks for giving feedback that is direct but respectful
  • Clarify goals and scope to ensure alignment
  • Review tools for setting priorities & meeting deadlines
  • Gain clarity on roles & responsibilities within a team project
  • Understand what causes conflict & how to recognize it early
  • Address issues directly while maintaining professionalism
  • A framework for having productive, solution-focused conversations
  • How to manage emotions & stay composed under pressure
  • Structure your message so it is clear, concise, & easy to follow
  • Communicate key points with confidence and presence
  • Engage your audience and keep their attention
  • Manage nerves and stay composed before & during presentations
  • Recognize and manage personal & team responses to change
  • Strategies to stay composed, focused, & clear in uncertain situations
  • Communicate effectively even when information is incomplete
  • Techniques to support, influence, & guide others through transition
• Who should attend

  The Emerging Leadership Academy is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to strengthen their leadership, communication, and organizational skills while preparing for greater responsibility within their agencies.

  It is particularly relevant for emerging supervisors, project managers, and high-potential staff in transportation, public works, engineering, planning, and related public-sector fields who are committed to serving their communities more effectively.

• Course Prerequisites

  [no prerequisites required]

• Course Instructors

  Kelly Oberle is a leadership development and mental performance expert and the founder of Access Human Potential. She partners with corporate and athletic organizations to strengthen resilience, emotional intelligence, and high-performing behaviors that help individuals and teams navigate challenges and achieve their goals.

  Drawing on expertise in positive psychology, mindfulness, breathwork, and emotional intelligence, Kelly delivers practical strategies that improve well-being, adaptability, and performance. She is certified in HeartMath® and has extensive training in VIA Character Strengths, HBDI, DiSC, and positive psychology. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Studies from Northwestern University and a Master’s degree in Leadership from the University of Redlands.

  

• Registration Information

  Register for the next scheduled class by clicking the "REGISTER AT HOST SITE" button to the right to access the registration portal.

  Select "Reserve a spot" and complete the registration form. A confirmation email will acknowledge your registration. We will follow-up the day before class with handouts and a log-in. 

  If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us at admin@caltap.org.

• For more information

  Cancellation Policy:

  Registration for this training includes a class fee, which is not refundable. If for some reason you can't attend, please consider transferring your registration to a coworker or industry partner. Should you have any questions, you're welcome to contact us at admin@caltap.org.

  Privacy Policy:

  The CALTAP team respects your right to privacy. Any information provided to us will be used solely for the purpose of class registration or technical support. We do not share, sell, or distribute contact data to third parties, however it may be used to provide you with advanced notice of funding opportunities and course offerings. You may unsubscribe to our mailing list at any time by contacting us.