LEAD is designed for staff who seek to strengthen their leadership skills to enhance their impact with people and systems multiple layers out from their direct sphere of influence. LEAD participants must have at least 3 direct and/or indirect reports. They must be able to identify 10 additional peers and/or close work collaborators who can give relevant feedback to their current role. Ideal candidates for LEAD likely hold final decision-making power for components of the work their team does. Ideal candidates nurture a variety of types of work relationships and may be managers of other managers. They also have positions at WashU that involve people management, decision making, and fostering relationships with others.
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If you have any questions, please email ILEinfo@wustl.edu.
Program Structure
The program is based on the 70-20-10 adult learning model. This model suggests 10% of learning is done via formal learning (i.e., classroom setting), 20% is done by learning from peers, mentors and/or coaches. The remaining 70% is done through experiential learning (trial and error—applying a growth mindset).
There are many different leadership models, frameworks, and definitions. One that ILE programs emphasize as a throughline in the program is The Leadership Challenge. Throughout the program, participants return to the concepts from The Leadership Challenge to self-reflect and incorporate in their daily work.
Monthly Breakdown/Time Commitment
LEAD follows a structure that repeats month over month, each with a different topic focus. Cumulatively, we recommend participants set aside about 12 hours each month to dedicate towards ILE, though that may vary by person. Generally, this follows a four-week cycle:
- Week one: Participants will meet for a facilitated learning session while together in-person. Usually, a subject matter expert will share concepts and guide the cohort in discussion around the topic.
- Week two: Participants meet in a small group, typically virtually, to discuss real-life leadership problems with each other, guided by a small group coach.
- Week three: As a cohort, participants will meet virtually with a senior leader who will share their wisdom on a leadership lesson that may or may not tie with the overall topic of the month. They will also have an opportunity to ask questions of the leader to learn from their experience and perspective. These leaders represent a wide variety of positions within the WashU community.
- Week four: Through an online learning community, participants will engage in learning through discussion questions and preparing with pre-work for the following month.
- In addition, there are self-paced components including self-reflection activities and group work. This will include a process in which feedback is gathered from those you work with closely. This feedback will be provided to you anonymously and debriefed with you by a trained staff member, to inform and anchor your development journey.
Previous Topics
This is not an all-inclusive list but a brief synopsis and may vary for future iterations.
- Leadership styles
- Coaching
- Systems leadership
- Problem solving
- Fostering a culture of belonging on a team
Tentative Dates for 2025-2026
All dates and times are tentative.
- Orientation (time TBD)
- Wednesday, August 6
- In-Person sessions (9am-1pm followed by lunch)
- Wednesday, September 10
- Wednesday, October 8
- Wednesday, November 12
- Wednesday, December 3
- Wednesday, January 14
- Wednesday, February 4
- Wednesday, March 11
- Wednesday, April 8
- Wednesday, May 6
- Virtual sessions (10am-11:30am)
- Wednesday, September 19
- Wednesday, October 22
- Wednesday, November 19
- Wednesday, December 17
- Wednesday, January 28
- Wednesday, February 25
- Wednesday, March 25
- Additional date in April to be announced
Application/Selection Process Timeline
Application window: February 17-March 17, 2025
Round 2, for qualified applicants: April 1-April 18, 2025
Selection announcement: by the end of June, 2025
First session: September 2025, with an Orientation in August 2025
Program Eligibility
- Must be employed as a full-time staff member at WashU for at least one year by September 2025. Preference may be given to applicants who have been in their current role for at least one year by September 2025.
- Must be in good standing, meaning maintain an acceptable level of performance including but not limited to absence of corrective action in the last one year and/or resolution of previous corrective action.
- Must have the support of their manager.
- Must be able to list at least 3 direct or indirect reports and at least 10 peers/close work collaborators who can give relevant feedback to their current role.
- Must be responsible for decision-making and/or fostering effective relationships.