Leadership Elite
a transforming certificate program
Tuesday mornings 9:00 to 12 Noon
September 16 through November 4, 2025
$3,000
Leadership is the most important aspect of organizational success.
Leaders provide vision. Leaders have the ability to lift others to tackle and complete tasks that seem impossible. Leaders influence our lives in deep and profound ways. Leaders change us and the organizations and industries in which they operate.
There is no simple leadership equation. There are, however, leadership principles and dimensions that each of us must explore, embrace and internalize if we are to become more effective leaders.
Leadership Elite is designed as an intense learning environment shared by Wichita State University’s most distinguished business educator, Dr. Gerald Graham.
Leadership Elite is an exclusive and rich learning experience that analyzes the best-selling book, First, Break All the Rules, based on research by the Gallup organization
Emphasizing the timeless qualities and behaviors of proven leaders, rather than the latest jargon and fads, you will see how your beliefs and practices match up with those of Colin Powell, Jack Welch, Lee Iacocca, Rudolph Guiliani, Sam Walton and Kendra Scott.
Using a customer response system as a tool for self-discovery, you will record your individual responses to a series of decision episodes throughout the course. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a personal profile portraying your flexibility, and how well you make decisions and apply solutions compared to a proven model for success.
Leadership: Who Are You?
- Anticipate surprises that accompany promotions
- Four rights you give up
- How to use structural and relationship tools
- What is your default style?
- Can you flex your style?
Purpose: What Is Your North Star?
- What is your purpose? Vision? Mission?
- Do you understand your core values?
- Are your objectives aligned?
- What gets measured gets done
Selection: Get the Best Talents on the Bus
- What selection tools are most predictive?
- How to structure interviews
- Do not overlook probationary periods
- How to make the best decision
Accountability: Connect Appraisals and Consequences
- Why managers and contributors dislike appraisals
- Three guidelines for improving appraisals and reducing frustrations
- Six tools for holding contributors accountable
- When to terminate? Tolerate?
Engagement: Communicate and Engage Contributors
- Understand the impact of filters
- How to listen actively
- How to be assertive while avoiding passive and aggressive
- What are the benefits of engaged contributors?
- Five measures of engagement
Motivation: Focus on Strengths and Relationships
- How to treat your stars
- Catch contributors doing things right
- How to encourage effort and attitude
- Why some may resist your requests
- Five techniques for influencing contributors
Teamwork: Execute Changes and Manage Conflict
- What is the value of a team charter?
- Four reasons why contributors may resist changes
- How to reduce resistance to change
- What is a good strategy for addressing conflicts
Issues: Three Current Issues
- Six things a remote work policy should include
- How to manage contributors of different generations
- How to effectively practice inclusivity
- Ideal contributors, structures, and leader practices
Leadership Elite is designed specifically for experienced managers who are ready to further develop their leadership skills. Leaders, who want to sharpen their existing skills, discover new solutions to age-old problems, or who crave a jolt of fresh enthusiasm will also benefit. Leadership Elite will equip the most promising people in any organization to move to the next level.
Leadership Elite will help you build and maintain a culture that promotes trust, integrity and high performance by:
- Giving you a framework and tools to strengthen your leadership
- Heightening your awareness of blind spots and behaviors that reduce your effectiveness
- Increasing your flexibility to influence people’s performance
- Interacting with your professional peers to share and learn from one another
- Providing a risk-free setting to debate, challenge and grow from interaction with a recognized expert
Read through the program evaluation summaries from participants that have completed the Leadership Elite program. Their comments will confirm the game-changer that this program can be for you.
“I really enjoyed the class and the format of the class. I would love to attend more classes like this. I definitely will use what I learned in the class to mentor my managers and team.” Thao Nguyen, Spirit Aerosystems
“I feel like this was the piece of the puzzle I was missing. I was a ‘different’ leader but was still missing/lacking in some areas. This was what I needed to be more effective with my team. I have been told by my direct reports that I am different from any other bosses they’ve had. I do believe one of my talents is leadership and CMD has taught me so much to improve that skill. Dr. Graham has been a mentor by providing so many of his experiences and I value everything I have learned. All of the instructors at CMD are leaders in their field. I would never have obtained the professional growth without these courses.” Mina Miller, 1st Level Manager, Spirit Aerosystems
Substitutions are free and must be done prior to the start of the certificate program.
Cancellations or rescheduling must be received in writing and full refunds will be given up to four business days prior to the start of the certificate program.
Any cancellation or reschedule submitted with three or less business days notice is subject to a $75 charge on certificate programs.
No refunds after the first day of the program.
This program can be done onsite, at your organization, tailored to your specific needs.
Contact Gerald Graham 316-706-8346 gerald.graham@wichita.edu
Paula Seiwert 316-978-5144 paula.seiwert@wichita.edu
and find out how convenient & economical training can be.