Experience Lead Boldly
Lead Boldly Manager Development Experience
Enrollment for the 2026 Experience opens on December 1, 2025.
Universal Leadership Skills. Cross-Sector Perspectives.
Being a leader is hard work. Whether you're managing a team in a growing business, steering a nonprofit mission, or serving the public sector, one fact is universal: great managers aren't born, they're developed. Too many aspiring and current managers are promoted based on their technical skills, then left to figure out the "people part" on their own.
Most managers don’t soar because they are learning on the fly.
Beginning in 2026, we are thrilled to make the Lead Boldly Manager Development Experience available to leaders across all sectors. Whether you're managing a development team or a sales team, the fundamentals of leadership are identical. The challenge of having a difficult conversation, building culture, or coaching an underperformer is remarkably similar across sectors. The 2026 cohort of the Lead Boldly© Manager Development Experience embraces this reality, bringing together aspiring and current managers from all sectors for richer learning, diverse perspectives, and broader networking.
Details
The Lead Boldly© Manager Development Experience develops managers on 3 critical leadership pillars: Know Yourself – Know Your Team – Know Your Role
Open to aspiring and current managers from all sectors – new for 2026
Six in-person sessions in a cohort model (March - June 2026)
Cross-sector learning that breaks down silos and expands your leadership toolkit
Takeaways
Highly engaging discussions on essential skills to effectively lead people
Real-time professional and wellbeing skill development and problem-solving
Individualized and small group coaching with career development planning
Cross-sector networking with leaders facing similar challenges in different contexts
Investment
Traditional Business Rate: $2,500 per employee
Nonprofit Rate: $1,500 for first employee
Nonprofit Group Rate: $1,000 per employee for two additional employees
Schedule
All sessions are in-person and take place at Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., 200 East Main St., Fort Wayne, Indiana.
March 23, 2026 Core Values & Leadership Identity
Guest Speaker: Curtis Smith, Executive Director, Do it Best Foundation
April 8, 2026 Emotional Intelligence
Guest Facilitator: Dr. Dave Johnson, Professor, University of St. Francis
April 22, 2026 Radical Responsibility of Managers
Guest Speaker: Amy-Jo Sites, Director FW Animal Care & Control
May 6, 2026 Conflict & Dealing with Difficult People
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mary Lahman, ECHO Listening Expert
May 20, 2026 Coaching & Mentoring for Success
Guest Speaker: Zach Benedict, President, MKM Architecture
June 3, 2026 HR 101 & Performance Management
Guest Facilitator: Rachel Guin, Partner, Krieg DeVault
Email Lindsay Shelton at lindsay@wbconsultingllc.com with questions.
Testimonials
“I would say do it, it has gotten me out of my comfort zone, and I have met some really great people in the nonprofit sector. Some benefits that I have gained from the experience is knowledge to continue building on the leadership aspect as I continue in this role with my organization. I have a lot of material and resources that will help me on this path of leadership”
“I consider myself to be pretty self-aware, and this program enhanced that for me as it relates specifically to me as a leader. This program gave me specific areas to think about and helped me to identify my strengths and areas that need improvement as a leader.”
“I love this training! It was so nice to have set times every month to dive into leadership topics and to have personal reflections on my leadership style and how I can grow my team.”
“I truly enjoyed the experience especially as a first-time supervisor. Having this opportunity in my first year has given me real-time examples to better connect and grow.”
“It has been a great opportunity to learn management skills from not only Whitney but the other people in the group. I would definitely recommend the training.”
“This helped me out tremendously as I was transitioning into a leadership role - giving me the tools to make my team better while also reminding me that, ‘I’m not the work.’”
“I enjoyed my time and feel it has helped me be more mindful of my actions. I am taking away leadership concepts that I have never been exposed to.”