(Schedule Subject to Change)
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street
Track 1: Strategic Association Leadership
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Board Excellence: Enhancing Governance in School Business Officer Organizations Part 1
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Lowell Aplebaum
Description: In this session, participants will explore the essential roles and responsibilities of a board within school business officer organizations, emphasizing the importance of effective governance. Attendees will learn best practices for conducting productive board meetings, including agenda setting, time management, and fostering open communication. Additionally, the session will focus on strategies for cultivating a culture of excellence, promoting trust and collaboration among board members. Through interactive activities and case studies, participants will gain practical insights to enhance their boards' effectiveness and drive organizational success.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Define the key roles and responsibilities of a board in a school business officer organization, emphasizing governance, strategic planning, and accountability.
- Describe best practices for conducting effective board meetings, including agenda setting, time management, and fostering open communication to enhance decision-making processes.
- Explore strategies for cultivating a culture of excellence within their boards, focusing on collaboration, continuous improvement, and engagement with stakeholders.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.4, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.5, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Innovative Leadership
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Self-Care, Resiliency, and GRIT (And Why it’s Better to Eat Twinkies Together Than Broccoli Alone)
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: Anxiety levels are measuring the highest of all time. Is it impacting your team’s performance at work? Change influences all of us differently, yet you can find effective ways to manage instability and help your colleagues. We’ll discover proven ways to ease unrest, helping others deal with anxiety and more.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Identify and implement proven techniques to ease anxiety with evidence-based strategies that reduce anxiety and create a more stable and productive work environment.
- Support team members in managing anxiety by insights gained into the power of relational community in the workplace and how to help others.
- Develop resilience and adaptability in the face of change by exploring ways to embrace and adapt to changes, cultivating personal resilience through thanksgiving, and promoting a culture of growth and adaptability within their team.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.4, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.5, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Strategic Association Leadership
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Board Excellence: Enhancing Governance in School Business Officer Organizations Part 2
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Lowell Aplebaum
Description: In this session, participants will explore the essential roles and responsibilities of a board within school business officer organizations, emphasizing the importance of effective governance. Attendees will learn best practices for conducting productive board meetings, including agenda setting, time management, and fostering open communication. Additionally, the session will focus on strategies for cultivating a culture of excellence, promoting trust and collaboration among board members. Through interactive activities and case studies, participants will gain practical insights to enhance their boards' effectiveness and drive organizational success.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Define the key roles and responsibilities of a board in a school business officer organization, emphasizing governance, strategic planning, and accountability.
- Describe best practices for conducting effective board meetings, including agenda setting, time management, and fostering open communication to enhance decision-making processes.
- Explore strategies for cultivating a culture of excellence within their boards, focusing on collaboration, continuous improvement, and engagement with stakeholders.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.2, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.25, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Innovative Leadership
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Creative Problem Solving for Innovative School Business
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: This session empowers participants to tackle problems with a logical and thoughtful approach, ensuring decisions are made with a high probability of success. Through engaging activities and discussions, participants will explore a systematic process for problem-solving. By the end of the session, participants will transform their perception of problems, viewing them as opportunities rather than obstacles.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- List, define, and demonstrate the steps in a systematic process to effectively solve complex problems.
- Apply the problem-solving model to make informed decisions in a hypothetical scenario.
- Identify and implement the problem-solving model to address current challenges in their work environment.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.2, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.25, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Strategic Association Leadership
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Leader as a Champion
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Lowell Aplebaum
Description: We live in an ever-noisier time where emails and messages trying to build ‘awareness’ barrage us all the time. Today, resource investment decisions – be it money, time, or effort – are often made because of a colleague’s similar experience and recommendation. With such trust placed in the experience of others, it is more essential than ever for leaders to better understand their responsibility, and their strengths, when it comes to serving as a champion of a cause or organization. In this session, we will explore the challenges hindering impactful communication, review a live self-assessment of communication strengths, and design what a new approach to intentional messaging could look like.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Identify and analyze the common challenges that hinder impactful communication in today's noisy information environment.
- Conduct a live self-assessment to evaluate their own communication strengths, enabling them to recognize areas for improvement and leverage their unique capabilities as leaders.
- Collaboratively develop a framework for creating intentional and effective messaging strategies that enhance their role as champions for their causes and organizations.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Innovative Leadership
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Expand your Comfort Zone – Handling Ambiguity and Change
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: This dynamic session is designed to empower participants to step beyond their comfort zones and confidently navigate the challenges commonly encountered by leaders in today's workplace. With a special emphasis on thriving amidst ambiguity and change, bridging generational gaps, and adapting to technological advancements, this session will equip leaders with the tools and mindset needed for success.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Articulate the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional growth.
- Identify and apply effective communication strategies that foster confidence and clarity in diverse situations.
- Implement practical techniques for managing ambiguity and change with a positive and assured approach.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Strategic Association Leadership
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Leadership & Learning through Inquiry
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Lowell Aplebaum
Description: So often, in the pursuit of the ‘right’ solution we quickly move past creating space for crafting questions that could lead to better conversations that could influence solution decisions. Imagine if – instead of being quick to share your experience or opinions – you instead listened with the goal of understanding. There is power in the ability to ask meaningful questions and it is the knowledge found in those inquiries that can, quite literally, change the future of our organizations. The workshop session will address how we as leaders ask better questions.
Prior to the session, participants will be asked to submit a key subject on the horizon for the industry that is a significant challenge or opportunity they see the profession facing in the coming years. During the session, participants will select a topic of choice and will explore possible questions they could ask about the topic for deeper insight. Through a mixed facilitation methodology, participants will have the opportunity to add their inquiry insights into other topic areas. For each area, the top 1-2 questions will be selected, and, time permitting, each group will have the chance to lead a brief discussion on these questions. Participants will reflect on how focusing on questions may lead to deeper inquiry than they would have otherwise attained.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Explore approaches to asking better questions.
- Discover how dedicated time to inquiry provides stronger questions.
- Design how to incorporate inquiry into regular functioning leadership.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 2.0, External Domain
- CPE: 2.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 2.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Innovative Leadership
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Leading Change Like a Champion
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: Change is an inevitable part of any organization, and effectively navigating it is crucial for success. This course equips school district leaders with the skills and strategies needed to drive and sustain meaningful change. Participants will learn how to foster broad-based action within their organizations, plan and celebrate short-term wins, and embed change into the organizational culture. By the end of this course, leaders will be prepared to champion change initiatives with confidence and resilience.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Comprehend the essential steps that enhance the likelihood of sustained change.
- Implement key principles to facilitate desired changes within their organizations.
- Develop a comprehensive communication plan that both informs and inspires their teams.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 2.0, External Domain
- CPE: 2.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 2.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Communication in Leadership
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Powerful Communication for Effective Leadership: Essential Tips for School Business Leaders
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: Are you looking to enhance your connections with your team and clients? Effective communication is the cornerstone of strong leadership. This program will equip you with the skills to communicate with impact, build lasting relationships, and drive organizational success. Join us to uncover techniques that will transform the way you lead through communication.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Identify powerful language techniques and which words and phrases are most effective in inspiring and motivating others, enhancing their influence as leaders.
- Manage social anxiety effectively with strategies to overcome social anxiety, enabling them to communicate confidently in various professional settings.
- Enhance listening skills in order to truly hear and understand others, fostering better collaboration and stronger relationships.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.4, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.5, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Leadership Behaviors
9:00 am – 10:30 am
What It Means to Be an Admired Leader
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Diana Hong and Alan Nelson
Description: What do the world's most extraordinary leaders do differently? In this session, we'll explore what sets “Admired Leaders” apart. Admired Leaders achieve exceptional results while also building deep, loyal followership. But their practices often run counter to conventional wisdom. Drawing on decades of research and work with top executives, we'll unpack the surprising, practical actions that define Admired Leadership, and the notion that leadership is a practice of making people and situations better.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Analyze the unique practices and behaviors that distinguish Admired Leaders from conventional leadership approaches.
- Explore how Admired Leaders achieve exceptional results while building loyalty and trust.
- Apply practical, research-based strategies to make people and situations better through leadership actions.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.4, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.5, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Communication in Leadership
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Elevating Emotional Intelligence
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: Research is clear that those who are emotionally attuned make the best leaders – even better than those whose brilliance comes in spades. Today’s preferred leadership style hinges on emotional intelligence. Come join us and learn about four components to emotional intelligence (EI) and how to use EI to build relationships and increase production.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Develop self-awareness and self-management skills that provide a deeper understanding of their own emotions, strengths, and areas for improvement, and learn techniques to regulate their emotions effectively.
- Enhance social awareness and empathy to cultivate the ability to understand and empathize with the emotions of others, fostering a more compassionate and supportive workplace environment.
- Master relationship management through servant leadership with the principles of servant leadership, learning how to build trust, and lead with empathy and integrity to strengthen team dynamics and performance.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.2, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.25, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Leadership Behaviors
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Making Great Decisions
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Diana Hong and Alan Nelson
Description: In leadership and in life, success often comes down to the quality of our decisions. But what do the best decision-makers actually do? When faced with important decisions, the best leaders use consistent processes to glean the best information from all available resources so they can execute decisions in a timely manner. They know that in decision making not all information is equal, and they create habits that counteract our inherent biases to accurately assess their options. In this session, we'll consider the decision-making routines of truly great leaders, how to involve others in group decision making, and how to make an executive decision with credibility and tact.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Identify key principles and routines that enhance decision-making effectiveness in leadership.
- Develop processes for gathering, assessing, and prioritizing information to make timely, informed decisions.
- Explore strategies for counteracting biases and involving others in group decision-making to enhance outcomes.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.2, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.25, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Communication in Leadership
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Mastering Conversations for High-Performance Teams
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: In today’s fast-paced work environments teams need to function at higher levels. Being able to comfortably have difficult conversations needs to be the new normal. Effective coaching is essential for preparing and equipping employees for current and future roles and responsibilities. This session offers comprehensive insights and practical strategies to enhance your coaching skills and drive team success.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Identify key elements of successful coaching and the fundamental principles that underpin effective coaching practices.
- Apply the right coaching methodologies and how to select and implement the most appropriate coaching techniques for various situations.
- Avoid common coaching pitfalls by discovering the typical mistakes made in coaching and developing strategies to circumvent them.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Leadership Behaviors
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Making People Better Through Feedback
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Diana Hong and Alan Nelson
Description: At its core, the act of leadership is about coaching and developing talent. When engaging their team, world-class leaders are artful at balancing developmental conversations with the everyday, direct feedback that builds competency and confidence. They deliver hard messages with a soft touch to alleviate the anxiety of delivering negative feedback and maximize the motivational effect of positive feedback, and they don’t shy away from the conversation itself. This session focuses on the behaviors the best leaders and coaches use as they develop talent, sharpen the skills of those they lead, balance candor with care, deliver difficult messages without damaging relationships, and create a culture of continuous improvement.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Learn techniques to deliver constructive feedback with a balance of candor and care.
- Explore methods for engaging in developmental conversations that build skills, confidence, and accountability.
- Apply strategies to foster a culture of continuous improvement through effective coaching and feedback.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 1: Communication in Leadership
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Cultivating Respect and Success; Effective Communication for a Positive Work Environment
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon A-E
Presenter(s): Chris Zervas and Brian Brandt
Description: How do we foster a culture of respect and success? Understanding generational differences and their influence on workplace culture is one part of the puzzle. Join us to explore how effective leadership and communication can shape your organization's culture, even in the face of constant change.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Describe how to harness the power of connection for deeper and discover the importance of building genuine connections before diving into content, enhancing mutual understanding and trust.
- Recognize motivators across generations enabling them to tailor their communication and leadership strategies effectively.
- Discuss how to leverage relationships to boost productivity, the critical role that strong relationships play in driving productivity, and techniques to cultivate and maintain these connections within their teams.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None
Track 2: Leadership Behaviors
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The Secret to Inspiring Others
Location: Grand Ballroom Salon F-J
Presenter(s): Diana Hong and Alan Nelson
Description: The best leaders motivate and inspire by leading honorably and respectfully: honor others or they will fail to honor you. Traditional motivation and inspiration approaches focus on how leaders talk, encourage, compensate, and challenge others. The best leaders, though, take a different approach. They divorce performance from praise, and avoid tangible, calculated rewards as a means of encouraging others. Instead, they are the biggest fans of those they lead, cheering for them and recognizing their contributions through a myriad of sincere, intangible everyday behaviors. This session covers this approach to motivation, unpacking how the best leaders cultivate loyalty and encourage greatness through rewards, encouragement, and praise.
At the end of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Describe how honor, respect, and sincerity contribute to motivation and loyalty in teams.
- Analyze the differences between traditional motivation strategies and the intangible approaches used by great leaders.
- Demonstrate techniques for recognizing and celebrating contributions through authentic, everyday leadership behaviors.
Credit Designations:
This session is eligible for the following credits:
- SFO: 1.0, External Domain
- CPE: 1.0, Personal Development
- CAE: 1.0, Executive Leadership
Knowledge Level: Basic
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparations: None