Too often, we equate supervision with ‘fixing problems,’ but in this session, we’re shifting our focus to ‘developing people.’ We’re going to practice specific coaching techniques that move us from simply directing work, to asking the right questions—the kind that build engagement, trust, and drive long-term productivity. This course is a component of the Advanced Supervision Certificate, but you are not required to be a part of a current or past cohort to attend this program. If you haven’t considered the Advanced Supervision Certificate, we invite you to check it out.
Delegation is one of the hardest leadership skills to actually practice, especially when your plate is already full and doing it yourself feels faster and safer. In this virtual session, we’ll help you to see delegation through a new lens: the Five Paths to Leadership®. We’ll open with a brief overview of the Five Paths, then move into two hands-on activities. First, you’ll explore what’s genuinely holding you back from delegating—whether that’s a fear of losing quality, overloading your team, or losing your own sense of impact. Then you’ll practice crafting a real delegation message—one that speaks to what actually motivates the person you’re delegating to. You’ll leave with a message you can send this week, and with a clearer picture of what’s been getting in your own way. Join us to build a habit that frees you up for the work that only you can do, and that gives someone else the chance to grow into theirs.
Click the Express Register button to gain access to the recording (this will be free with your membership – make sure you are logged in!) Click the link in the table of contents below to view the recording from Academic Impressions’ session on September 14, 2026. Then, use the buttons to your right to access resources for department chairs/school directors, Sophia, and Leadership Insights.
The Mid-Level Leaders Institute is a year-long, cohort-based program for mid-level advancement professionals across the UNC System institutions. We kickoff in September in Raleigh to set a foundation for our time together. From here we will have six 90-minute virtual sessions between October and April. The institute concludes with an in-person capstone in May 2027, more details to come. Your virtual session topics will be announced soon! Calendar invitations and Zoom links will come directly from Yianna Kappas, Learning and Development Manager at Academic Impressions. Virtual Sessions: October 2026 – April 2027. All times Eastern Session Date Topic Session 1 October 8, 2026 | 9:00 am The Anatomy of Trust Session 2 November 12, 2026 | 9:00 am Effective Communication Using the Five Paths to Leadership® Session 3 December 10, 2026 | 9:00 am Managing Up, Down, and Across Session 4 February 2027 Resilient Leadership Session 5 March 2027 Navigating Difficult Conversations Session 6 April 2027 Change Leadership Capstone May 2027 To be announced
September 10, 2026 – Academic Affairs Leadership Academy Program Kick-Off 9:00am – 4:00pm (Breakfast and Lunch Provided) October 1, 2026 – The Anatomy of Trust Trust is at the heart of leadership; you cannot lead those who do not trust you. Covey says we move at the speed of trust—when trust is high, people give you the benefit of the doubt, they find your meaning, they are willing to take a chance. When trust is low, they challenge you every step of the way, they misinterpret you, they assume the worst. It’s our job as leaders to build and cultivate trust—both interpersonally and also among and between the team. In this session, we’ll explore the topic of trust building. Specifically, we’ll explore the following: November 5, 2026 – The Power of Delegation You will learn how to use delegation as a strategic leadership tool to empower your team, manage your own workload more effectively, and create a more sustainable leadership practice. By entrusting others with meaningful responsibilities, you can focus on advancing departmental goals, reduce burnout, and model trust in your faculty and staff. Ultimately, this approach strengthens the department and institution by fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and […]
Take this opportunity to rethink how your meetings are designed by exploring the hidden expectations and preferences people bring to the table. Using the Five Paths to Leadership® model as a framework, you’ll reflect on your current meeting practices, collaborate in small groups to design your “ideal meeting,” and share insights that highlight different leadership strengths and needs. Together, we’ll surface practical ways to make your meetings more inclusive, engaging, and productive.
Having difficult conversations is unavoidable—it’s also vital to being an effective supervisor. This session is designed to give you practical tools and boost your confidence, ensuring that you can approach these moments with clarity and composure, and leading to better outcomes for both your direct reports and the entire organization. This session is a component of the Advanced Supervision Certificate, but you are not required to be a part of a current or past cohort to attend this program. If you haven’t considered the Advanced Supervision Certificate, we invite you to check it out.
We’ve all heard the standard airline advice to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others, and this rule applies to supervision, as well. If you’re running on empty, you can’t fully lead your direct reports. In this session, we’ll shift our focus from self-care as a perk, to self-care as essential maintenance—as a necessary task to keep you functioning as a capable leader. We’ll share practical ways to recharge and lead with clarity and resilience. This session is a component of the Advanced Supervision Certificate, but you are not required to be a part of a current or past cohort to attend this program. If you haven’t considered the Advanced Supervision Certificate, we invite you to check it out.
The Sage path in The Five Paths to Leadership® is fundamentally about integration and balance—it’s the practice that helps you to access all the other paths with intention and wisdom. This session will expand upon your knowledge of how the Sage helps with self-awareness, reflection, and adaptive leadership, transforming the shadow into wisdom and leading under pressure.
