Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is a cornerstone of effective leadership, enabling teams and organizations to align their vision, goals, and actions for long-term success. In this session, participants will explore the key elements of strategic planning and how to make it a living, actionable part of their leadership practice. Topics include:

• Purpose of Strategic Planning: Why it matters and how it drives organizational success.
• Building Alignment: Gaining support and buy-in from stakeholders to create a unified direction.
• Leveraging the Plan: Using the strategy to communicate priorities, clarify goals, and guide decision-making.
• Embedding the Plan: Integrating the strategy into regular meetings, team performance, and project-based outcomes.
• Articulating Strategic Anchors: Defining core priorities to keep the organization focused and adaptable.

This session will equip aspiring leaders with practical tools and approaches to develop, implement, and sustain a strategic plan that delivers real impact.

Elevating Your Office's Performance

Is your office operating at its full potential? This session invites post-secondary leaders to conduct a brief “audit” of their office and its functions, helping you prioritize efforts for maximum impact and align your team behind shared goals. You’ll explore key questions such as:

• How clear is the focus of your work?
• Are you leveraging your strengths as a leader?
• How effective is communication within your office?
• Do you have documented, repeatable processes in place?
• Are your tools and resources enabling success?
• Are you creating space for innovation and new initiatives?
• Are you using internal partnerships to expand your reach and achieve more?

This session provides a framework to evaluate your office’s performance, identify areas for growth, and set priorities that align with strategic goals. It also offers a valuable perspective to enrich your engagement with peers and program discussions throughout the Post-Secondary Leadership Academy.

Insights from the Top: Leadership Perspectives in Post-Secondary Education

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring accomplished leaders from diverse roles across post-secondary education. This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from directors, managers, and senior administrators who have successfully navigated the challenges and opportunities of leadership in this dynamic sector.

Our panelists will share their personal leadership journeys, discuss the skills and strategies that have been most impactful in their careers, and offer insights into what it takes to thrive in leadership roles today. From fostering collaboration across departments to driving innovation in student success, their perspectives will provide valuable guidance for aspiring leaders looking to make their mark in post-secondary education.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn from real-world experiences and leadership strategies.
• Gain actionable advice on career growth and navigating leadership challenges.
• Understand the qualities and competencies that matter most for future leaders.
• Expand your professional perspective by engaging with leaders across various disciplines.

This session will also include a Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and connect with these inspiring leaders.

Discovering Your Strengths: Leading with Confidence in Times of Change

In times of disruption, strong leadership begins with self-awareness. This session helps you explore your leadership style using the CliftonStrengths assessment, empowering you to lead with confidence, align your strengths with team needs, and navigate challenges with resilience. In this session, you’ll:

• Uncover your unique leadership strengths and learn how to leverage them effectively.
• Understand the importance of mission, vision, values, and purpose in guiding your leadership approach.
• Gain tools to motivate, empower, and engage your team during uncertainty and change.

Through guided exercises and interactive discussions, you’ll discover how self-awareness and strength-based leadership can help you inspire your team, foster collaboration, and drive success.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Inside and Out: Leadership in Action

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives require more than policies—they demand sustained organizational commitment, cultural transformation, and time. Successful DEI efforts go beyond being a checkbox or afterthought; they are an ongoing process that shapes how we work, lead, and innovate.

Research shows that workplaces genuinely embracing DEI foster greater productivity, innovation, and meaningful engagement among employees and clients. This interactive workshop will empower leaders to integrate DEI principles into their everyday roles by exploring:

• Building a Diverse Team: Strategies for recruiting and retaining talent that enriches your work culture.
• Fostering an Inclusive Culture: How to support and sustain equity and inclusion within your team and organization.
• Using a DEI Lens: Tools to design and evaluate programs and services that reflect DEI values and meet diverse needs.

Join us to learn how to lead with intention, create impactful change, and champion DEI in your organization and beyond.

Strategic Enrolment Management: Driving Institutional Success