Leadership Essentials

High Point University students pursuing the Certification in Leadership Essentials will develop critical leadership, communication, and decision-making skills by attending four Innovator in Residence Sessions. This program provides students with direct insights from accomplished leaders across diverse industries, equipping them with the ability to inspire teams, navigate complex challenges, lead with integrity, and create lasting impact in their professional and personal lives.

Leadership Essentials Certificate
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The most significant shortcoming for Gen-Z workers is a lack of critical interpersonal skills, often referred to as “soft skills.” This includes communication, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, adaptability, conflict resolution and other skills that are typically developed through first-hand experience—rather than instruction—and are vital to professional success.

Forbes December 23, 2024

Sessions

To earn your Certification in Motivation you can attend a minimum of 4 seminars or workshops from our Life Skills and Leadership Series. Students will learn directly from accomplished professionals across diverse industries,

Leading from the Front - Owning Your Seat, Owning Your Impact
• How self-leadership begins with choosing the “front row” mindset—showing up engaged, accountable, and ready to grow.
• Turning setbacks into opportunities for personal and organizational growth.
• Staying composed, confident, and grounded in high-stakes leadership moments.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

People Are Your Greatest Asset – Leading Through Talent
• How human capital strategy is the foundation of organizational leadership.
• Creating inclusive, high-performing cultures where people thrive.
• The evolving leadership challenges of the modern workforce.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Six Steps to Create a Customer-Focused Culture
• How leaders build culture from within
• Six key principles that define top-tier organizations and the leaders who build them.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Distinct or Extinct – Creating a Differentiated Leadership Identity
• Why being 'good' at leadership isn't enough in today's competitive landscape.
• How to develop a unique leadership identity that sets you and your team apart.
• The role of storytelling and clarity in making a lasting impact as a leader.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Anticipatory Leadership – Leading Into the Future
• How anticipatory thinking allows leaders to turn disruption into advantage.
• Using hard trends to predict, plan, and lead with greater confidence.
• Why the best leaders don't just react to change — they create it.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

People First – The Secret to Service and Leadership Excellence
• How hiring and developing the right people leads to outstanding organizational outcomes.
• The power of culture in creating loyal teams and exceptional customer experiences.
• Lessons from Chick-fil-A on servant leadership and leading with care and purpose.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

The Power of Luxury Experiences – Elevating Leadership Through Intentional Impact
• Why focused attention is the most valuable currency of exceptional leaders.
• How small, intentional acts of attention create loyal teams and meaningful impact.
• Practical strategies to design “luxury-level” experiences that inspire loyalty, trust, and lasting engagement.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Behind the Velvet Rope – Leading High-Profile Events with Precision and Poise
• How elite event leadership requires a balance of strategy, creativity, and flawless execution under pressure.
• The art of managing complex stakeholder expectations while delivering seamless, high-impact experiences.
• What leaders can learn from event production about preparation, adaptability, team management and creating unforgettable moments at scale.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Leading with Courage – Stories from the Front Lines
• How perseverance and courage define great leaders in high-stakes environments.
• The power of authentic storytelling in building trust and inspiring action.
• Lessons from journalism on leadership, empathy, and bearing witness with integrity.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Leading the Next Big Idea - Innovation, Risk, Customer-Centricity
• How customer-centric thinking helped launch one of the world's most recognized brands.
• Why bold vision and risk-taking are hallmarks of transformational leadership.
• Lessons on adapting quickly to changing environments and leading through disruption.
Location:
Callicutt Life Skills Theater, Congdon Hall

Positive Energy – Creating Winning Teams and Cultures
• How positivity transforms leadership effectiveness and workplace culture.
• Building stronger teams through encouragement, accountability, and shared purpose.
• Why attitude and energy are among the most powerful leadership tools.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Leading at the Top – Lessons from the C-Suite
• How transformational leadership turned around one of the NBA's most high-profile franchises.
• Leading with values, transparency, and accountability at the highest level.
• Why who you are behind the scenes matters just as much as your public performance and how it impacts key business outcomes for great leaders.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

The Leader’s Playbook for Financial Success
• The importance of discipline, strategy, and adaptability in navigating changing economic environments.
• Key principles for leading teams and organizations with confidence, accountability, and
vision.
• How strong financial decision-making helps leaders build stability, growth, and long-term success.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

A Setback Is a Setup – Leading Through Adversity
• How optimism and resilience drive leadership effectiveness and team morale.
• Turning obstacles into opportunities and failures into fuel for growth.
• Why enthusiasm, vision, and faith are non-negotiable traits in great leaders.
Location: Congdon Hall, Callicutt Life Skills Theater

Meet Your Coaches

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Program Objectives

Develop Authentic Leadership: Help students discover their unique leadership voice and style to lead with purpose and confidence.
Strengthen Communication Skills: Equip students with verbal, nonverbal, and storytelling techniques to inspire and influence others.
Build Resilience and Adaptability: Teach students how to navigate setbacks, uncertainty, and change with grace and determination.
Learn from Industry Leaders: Gain real-world insights from executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who have led at the highest levels.
Foster a Leadership Mindset: Instill habits of continuous growth, servant leadership, and ethical decision-making for lifelong success.

This program is designed for High Point University students who:

Aspire to leadership roles in industries such as business, nonprofit, healthcare, technology, government, and entrepreneurship.
Want to stand out to employers by demonstrating expertise in leadership and organizational effectiveness.
Seek to build influence through strong communication, vision, and problem-solving skills.
Understand that leadership is a universal skill applicable in any career path and stage of life.

Skills Gained:
Vision, Communication, Execution, and Culture

Vision → Where are we going?
Communication → How do we align and inspire people?
Execution → How do we deliver results?
Culture → How do we build people and teams that thrive?

Vision

These skills help leaders create direction, think long-term, and inspire people toward a shared future.

Inspiration

Creating purpose, direction, and energy around a mission people want to be part of.

Strategic Thinking

Seeing the big picture, anticipating challenges, aligning decisions with long-term goals, and prioritizing effectively.

Decision-Making

Evaluating information, making timely choices, managing risk, and taking responsibility for outcomes.

Communication

These skills focus on how leaders connect, influence, and build alignment with others.

Strategic Communication

Clearly conveying vision, expectations, feedback, and ideas while also listening effectively.

Influence & Persuasion

Gaining buy-in, motivating others, building trust, and inspiring action without relying solely on authority.

Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and understanding how people think and feel.

Execution

These skills center on turning ideas into results and leading organizations through action and change.

Accountability & Objective Completion

Setting standards, following through, measuring results, and ensuring goals are accomplished.

Adaptability & Change Leadership

Navigating uncertainty, leading through change, remaining flexible, and helping others adjust.

Culture

These skills shape people development, collaboration, and the long-term health of teams and organizations.

Team Building & Recruitment

Creating strong teams, fostering collaboration, resolving conflict, and building a healthy culture.

Coaching & Development

Helping others grow through mentoring, feedback, delegation, and leadership development.

Program Structure

Participants will engage in the following components to earn their certificate:

Pre-Session Preparation

Access to Innovator Sessions

Attend at least four sessions featuring industry leaders and innovators.
Actively participate in Q&A discussions designed to explore leadership principles, challenges, and opportunities.

Reflection and Post-Session Requirement

Submit Reflection Answers via an online form upon completion of each session, detailing insights, key takeaways, and examples of how leadership skills have been applied to academic, extracurricular, or work experiences.

To qualify for the Certification in Leadership Essentials, students must:

Register and attend at least four Innovator in Residence Sessions.
Actively engage during sessions by asking questions or contributing to discussions.
Complete and submit the Reflection Questions by the end of the semester.

Upon successful completion, students will receive:

Certificate in Leadership Essentials from High Point University.
Enhanced resume credentials showcasing proficiency in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking.
Exclusive networking opportunities with industry leaders who model exemplary leadership in their fields.

Are You Ready to Land Your Dream Job?

Start your journey toward professional excellence with High Point University’s Certificate in Leadership Essentials. Equip yourself with the mindset and skills employers value most.

Questions? Email us with questions at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!