Real-Life Leadership Training

A practical approach that equips leaders with the leadership mindset and skill set to REALLY lead.

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our approach to leadership training is different

We are skeptics of formal training. In fact, the lack of decent leadership training and development drove us to create a better way. We emphasize only practical, real-life issues that pay dividends in performance. We help you truly equip supervisors, managers, and executives with the motivation, knowledge, and capabilities to get things done through the people under their charge.


We use a “ flipped classroom ” methodology, in which content is absorbed prior to a workshop via short, self-paced videos, so workshops focus on practice and utilization of the skills and concepts. 


We focus on “ equipping ” not “training.” Everything we do is intended to be believed, understood, and implemented.  Our Heart | Head | Hands philosophy guides all of our programs.


​We also equip senior leaders to show support and even help to facilitate workshops to demonstrate commitment and “ownership” of the principles being communicated. 


We also believe in “ drip irrigation ” knowledge transfer and "loop learning". This means we provide smaller, bite-sized concepts to be understood and utilized. We do this by exposing leaders to content one module at a time, giving them time to absorb, understand, and apply before moving to the next topic. Throughout the program, we "loop" back to ensure previous concepts and key learning points are reviewed and considered. 

the modules

We've carefully chosen and crafted a set of key every day, real-life leadership practices. These modules address many of the most important skills and jobs of a leader at any level. From a first line supervisor to a senior executive, many of the core duties of leadership apply. Our programs focus on practical equipping of leaders and future leaders in the area that most impactful on teams and organizations. 

Each module follows our "heart-head-hands" learning philosophy as we seek to truly impact participants, and drive mindset and behavior change as a result of participation.  

These modules are available individually or as part of more comprehensive leadership training programs.

Before any real training and development can take place, a person must see the need and believe in its importance. At this first session, we focus on the true nature of leadership. Emphasis is placed on describing the heart of the leader, the sacrifice required, and establishing a foundation upon which to equip leaders with the day-to-day skills necessary for effective leadership at any level. This session also starts the process of growth through self-awareness using a specialized leadership-oriented DiSC® personality assessment. Learn more

Time is the most precious resource we have. We all have the same number of hours in the day. How those hours are spent will result in success or failure. Unless leaders take ownership of their time, it’s difficult to accomplish all that is expected in their role. This learning module focuses on creating the “margin” necessary to perform the role of leader. By learning key personal time management and planning strategies, we equip the leader to make the most of his or her most precious resource. Learn more
Using Everything DiSC® and principles of adaptable leadership, this module equips leaders to understand both their own priorities and tendencies, as well as how to assess those of their people. This module discusses how to adjust leadership style to match the needs and abilities of individual team members. Learn more
In the confusion of daily work life, a key task of leaders is to create clarity about what is most important. “Charting the Course” addresses the leadership requirement to provide a vision, determine a strategy, and establish goals. Whether a first line supervisor or senior executive, charting the course is required to ensure the team is focused on the right objectives and free of conflicting priorities and stressful uncertainty. This module teaches how to create a simple vision and strategic plan, aligning it with organizational objectives, and communicating it effectively. Learn more
It’s critical for leaders to see the importance of resource planning/budgeting. It’s required to deliver the right results without burning people out. In short, it helps avoid a culture of “scarcity.” (An environment wherein employees are forced to focus on survival amidst insufficient resources.) This module teaches the holistic “STOP” model of resource planning, review processes, three levels of funding, and developing a sales pitch approach to resource requests. Learn more
Most supervisors, managers, and leaders are directly involved in the interviewing and selection of people for their teams. Few things are more important than selecting the right candidate for an opening. Failure to do this inevitably results in performance and culture problems later. This module equips leaders with the best practices for interviewing, evaluating, and selecting team members. It also addresses the legal implications associated with hiring to avoid inappropriate questions and actions leading to employment liability. Learn more
Stepping into a leadership role requires an understanding of the legal issues associated with supervision. “Protecting & Respecting” addresses the basics of our laws and the special role of a leader to protect people from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. This module ensures that leaders understand their duty to employees, themselves, and their organization. Learn more
For leaders to be successful, they must be adept at distributing work, assigning tasks, and maximizing the productivity of the team. This module addresses the need of every supervisor, manager, and leader to get things done through his or her assigned team. It focuses on the specific task of delegation and follow-up to accomplish goals through people without micro-management. Learn more

constructive coaching

The ability to “maximize results” is a fundamental element of any supervisory position. A core responsibility of leadership is to get things done effectively and efficiently through the people on the team. This module addresses performance management through setting expectations, providing corrective feedback, and reinforcing strong efforts. Learn more
Few things are more destructive to a culture and work environment than unhealthy, unaddressed conflict. This module explains the inevitability of conflict, stresses the risks of allowing it to be unaddressed, and the leader’s role in monitoring, harnessing, and guiding through conflict in the workplace. It provides a basic process and tips for identifying and avoiding negative behaviors and how to turn conflict into a positive force for good. Learn more
It has been said that the only constant in life is change. This applies to the workplace as well. Change is a necessary element of any organization as it responds to evolving customer requirements, competitive pressures, and economic challenges. Leaders at all levels must first embrace change, and then ensure that changes are implemented and accepted by their teams. This module teaches a simple change management approach to help ensure change sticks. Learn more
A very important role of supervisors is to ensure the growth and well-being of their people. This looks different for everyone, but the need for personal and professional growth is a fundamental human need. This module instructs leaders how to embrace a "coaching" mindset and create simple development plans that match the needs and aspirations of their people. Learn more
Assuming the mantel of leadership at any level is a serious decision and requires commitment and sacrifice. This module (used as a wrap-up to a full Real-Life Leadership Program) reviews the elements of strong leadership, the key behaviors of a real leader, and asks for a commitment from participants to work actively in and among their people. Learn more

are you ready to really lead?

Internal Company Program

If you have a group of ten or more future supervisors, new managers, or even seasoned leaders that would benefit from a solid leadership development investment, this is the option for you.


We come to your facility once or twice per month for a 90 or 120-minute leadership workshop.


This program is the fastest way to a comprehensive leadership development program for your organization.


These are available in Kansas City, Wichita, St. Louis, Orlando areas, but we're developing our network of local facilitators in other metropolitan areas. Let us know where you are, and we'll see what we can do!


"Bring Your Own Facilitator" Programs


Save money with this hybrid approach. You can now certify an internal facilitator-coach for delivery of the onsite workshop portion of the program. Certification is FREE for the first organizational member. 


All program administration, communication, messaging, and support is provided by Wolf Prairie, making this a simple, customized, easy-to-implement solution to meet your internal leadership development needs. 

Community/Industry Cohorts

We assemble supervisors, managers, and leaders into community or industry-specific cohorts to provide great networking along with solid leadership training.


In this program, you'll come together with colleagues from other companies to grow as leaders and share insights.


These cohorts are held in Kansas City and Wichita, online, and coming soon to locations convenient for you. 


If you would like to help coordinate and promote a new cohort for your industry, your participant could attend for FREE. 

companion book now available!

Leader's Leadmakes a great companion resource for the Real-Life Leadership Program. The chapters of this book follow the flow of our year-long program and serves as a repository of they key content and learning points.


Pick up a copy in paperback or Kindle now!