The Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma-Pierce County is an opportunity for current and emerging leaders to engage with the business community while developing leadership skills, linking with a mentor, and interacting with exemplary leaders.
We will explore leader development, assess our leadership strengths and weaknesses, learn from leaders that contribute to the vitality of our community, and visit organizations at the heart of our regional business community. During the first session, participants will be able to personalize overall learning objectives for themselves and the 2020 program. Bring your leadership and business community strengths and let us add to them together!
The Business Leadership Academy of Tacoma-Pierce County, sponsored by the Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University, is a regional community leadership program founded in 1978. Hundreds of leaders are alumni of this program and will become your network for learning and connecting.
Learn leadership skills and build your personalized leader development plan
Engage in assessments to learn your strengths and opportunities for growth
Connect with a designated mentor who is an alumnus of the program or a member of the Chamber Board
Meet exemplary leaders who impact our business community
Interact with other current and emerging leaders in the 2020 Business Leadership Academy class
Tackle a Chamber of Commerce strategic initiative that benefits our community
Increase your knowledge of the region, leaders, and decision-making processes
Access a network of program alumni to guide individual, business and community problem-solving
Visit organizations that add to the vitality of our region
Craft your own Call to Action for engaging as a leader in our community
2021 Agenda - Sep. 16 - Nov. 18
September 16: WELCOME SESSION Overall program design, introductions, beginning to create a personalized leadership development plan, preparing to conduct a leader profile interview, connecting with mentor, and introduction to strategic initiative project. Lunch included.
September 23: THE CHALLENGE OF LEADING Leaders and leading in organizations. Learning to reflect on our strengths and opportunities for growth. Leading with heart and mind. Leading by example.
September 30: SITE VISIT Downtown Tacoma Walking Tour Visits to businesses and with leaders at the heart of our community.
October 7: VISIONING AND FOCUS ON THE FUTURE How leaders lead the way in envisioning the future of the organization. Engaging others in exploring what could be and together establish inspiring, attainable visions. The critical importance of respecting and seeking after diverse perspectives.
October 14: LEADING CHANGE AND RISK TAKING Seeking opportunities for change and appropriate risk taking. The leader as change agent recognizing people and process change issues. Harnessing resistance to change as an opportunity. Leading strategic communication conversations. October 21: SITE VISIT Economic Impact Exploration Exploring leaders and organizations impacting the economy of our region.
October 28: MOTIVATING AND LIFTING OTHERS Understanding what motivates and creating the environment where others choose to be motivated. Effective team leadership. What followership really means and how it energizes at multiple levels. Encouraging the heart and building commitment. Understanding power and influence.
November 4: WHAT MATTERS MOST Focusing energies and building leadership skills for what matters most to us, our organizations, and our communities. The courage to lead in difficult times and circumstances. Civility as an essential leader responsibility.
November 11-12: RETREAT AT ALDERBROOK RESORT Integrating our leadership learning and reflecting on next steps for our personalized leader development plan. Who am I? Who do I want to be? What’s next? What do I most want to influence and accomplish as a leader? Reporting on community project strategic initiative. The Leader’s Call to Action.
