Certificate in
leadership
How to Apply
The Certificate in Leadership is a 10-week program for nonprofit professionals who are new to managing people or programs (have been in their position for less than three years). Through peer-based learning groups, group coaching calls and one-on-one coaching, the program prepares emerging nonprofit leaders to effectively lead and manage in our dynamically changing sector while strengthening their organizations and communities.
We will offer the next Certificate in Leadership during fall 2024 for leaders throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
Program Components
The Certificate in Leadership consists of the following experiences:
- Virtual orientation and meet and greet
- Five in-person, half-day training sessions (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) facilitated by expert practitioners
- Four virtual group coaching sessions (one hour each) in between each training session
- A 30-minute virtual individual coaching session
- Follow-up monthly facilitated (virtual) group coaching calls (one hour each)
Skill Development
All classes and content empower participants to practice skill development in the following areas:
- Self-reflection
- Reflective writing
- Critical thinking
- Giving and receiving feedback
Proven Impact
- 100% of graduates say they can respond authentically to changes and challenges facing today’s nonprofit leaders, up from 59% before the program.
- Participants’ ability to understand themselves and manage their organizational responsibilities increased from 88% to 100% from the beginning to the end of the program.
- 100% of participants say they understood their leadership style and could develop a plan to enhance their skills after the program, up from 77% before the program began.
The 2024 Certificate in Leadership is led by Meriel Martínez with the Nonprofit Leadership Center in collaboration with our partners at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.
Schedule
- Program Orientation — February 22, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. EST
- Session 1: The Emotionally Intelligent Leader — February 29, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST
- Session 2: The Conscious Leader — March 21, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST
- Session 3: The Data-Driven Leader — April 4, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST
- Session 4: The Connected Leader — April 18, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EST
- Session 5: Leadership: A Facilitated Conversation — May 2, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. EST
The virtual program orientation and all in-person training sessions are mandatory to complete the Certificate in Leadership.
Virtual group coaching will be offered between sessions to help participants build their confidence and skills, ensuring key concepts are both understood and practiced throughout the process and beyond. The right coaching brings leadership knowledge, accountability, and experience, providing fresh insight to expand thinking and enhance performance.
Virtual Group Coaching Dates
- Group Coaching Session 1 — March 7, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. EST
- Group Coaching Session 2 — March 28, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. EST
- Group Coaching Session 3 — April 11, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. EST
- Group Coaching Session 4 — April 25, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. EST
Attendance in at least two of the virtual group coaching sessions is required for successful completion of the program.
Training Session Details
Session 1: The Emotionally Intelligent Leader
February 29, 2024
Facilitated by Dr. John Loblack
Studies show that effective leadership is closely tied to emotional intelligence. Using a variety of highly engaging learning strategies, this session will help leaders internalize the five competencies of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and motivation), identify the link between emotional intelligence and effective leadership, expand their communication skills, and learn how to apply emotional intelligence at work and in the world.
Session 2: The Conscious Leader
March 21, 2024
Facilitated by Ellen Nastir
Self-awareness and self-care are critical components of effective leadership. When you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can build upon them to maximize your effectiveness — at work and in life. Using the PeopleMap™ assessment, this session will empower leaders to focus on their Achilles’ heels — their areas for potential growth. Leaders will build an awareness of how different communication styles may unknowingly impact or trigger others, increase their understanding of others with intention, cultivate their leadership presence, and learn to identify team toxins and their antidotes. The strategies and exercises in this session will help prepare leaders to lead effectively.
Session 3: The Data-Driven Leader
April 4, 2024
Facilitated by Rebecca Watson
An organization’s success is largely influenced by the decisions of its leaders. Effective leaders make data-driven decisions that advance their organization’s mission and vision. This session will explore proven principles, practices and systems, including Data-Driven Decision Making (3DM), to help leaders listen to their data, make effective decisions and drive high-impact organizational performance. Leaders will learn how to apply 3DM principles in critical areas, including program evaluation, strategic planning and performance reviews, as well as how to develop a data-driven culture at work.
Session 4: The Connected Leader
April 18, 2024
Facilitated by Margarita Sarmiento
Recent demographic changes in our society have resulted in a workplace with rich racial, cultural and generational differences. Effective leaders must understand these differences and how to harness them to cultivate an effective team and organization. This session will help leaders increase their knowledge of changing demographics and the language of diversity, understand how preconceptions affect behavior, develop strategies for creating teams that are strengthened by their differences, and learn a proven strategy for addressing conflict and working through disagreements. Additionally, they will identify ways to build and maintain trusting relationships with, and between, team members.
Session 5: Leadership — A Facilitated Conversation
May 2, 2024
The final session of the Certificate in Leadership program invites leaders from across the community to participate in a facilitated conversation with Certificate participants, allowing participants the opportunity to hear different leadership perspectives, ask questions, further develop their knowledge and skills gained during the certificate program, and share next steps on their leadership journey. The session culminates in the awarding of the Certificate in Leadership.
All classes in the Certificate in Leadership program are taught by experienced subject matter experts and practitioners at the Nonprofit Leadership Center.
Meet our 2024 Nonprofit Leadership Certificate trainers and learn more about them:
The 2024 fee to participate is $550. It includes all sessions and materials. Please contact info@nlctb.org for more information.
How to Apply
Acceptance into the Certificate in Leadership program is by application only and consists of the following steps.
Step 1: Organizations nominate leaders to participate.
Step 2: Nominees are invited to complete an application.
Step 3: Certificate participants are selected and announced.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be new to their position (three years or less) in managing people or programs for the first time. Examples include a CEO or executive director who has just joined an organization, a first-time manager who is learning how to effectively lead others or a professional who is new to overseeing a program or department.
Candidates must commit to attending all content sessions on the published dates. They must also participate in at least two of the four virtual group coaching sessions.
Candidates must have the support from executive staff and senior leaders to attend, practice and implement what they’re learning through the program