8:00 – 9:00 AM
Arrival, Breakfast & Networking
Participants arrive, check in, and connect with leaders across industries.
Includes
- breakfast
- welcome materials
- networking
- sponsor recognition loop
- March of Dimes overview
Full agenda
The LEAP day, hour by hour
A full day of facilitation, reflection, and practice in Phoenix, followed by two virtual reinforcement sessions to make the learning stick.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026Phoenix, Arizona
Day of
In-person workshop
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Opening Session
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Leadership
Facilitated by Shawn Snyder(opens in a new tab)
Focus areas
- Leadership beyond authority
- Influence without positional power
- Why technically strong leaders still fail
- Emotional environments leaders create
- EQ in high-pressure workplaces
- Trust, communication, and buy-in
Interactive elements
- live reflection
- table discussion
- leadership challenge prompts
Desired outcome
Participants understand: emotional intelligence is not “soft skills,” but operational leadership effectiveness.
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Session 1 — Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
Topics
- Defining emotional intelligence
- The five EQ components
- IQ vs EQ in leadership
- Emotional awareness
- Leadership blind spots
- Emotional triggers
- Emotional impact on decision-making
Activities
- self-assessment exercises
- leadership reflection prompts
- peer discussion
- emotional response mapping
Key takeaway
Leaders cannot manage what they are unaware of.
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Session 2 — Mind: Self-Awareness & Self-Regulation
Topics
- How emotion affects judgment
- Stress responses in leadership
- Composure under pressure
- Emotional regulation techniques
- Managing reactivity
- Leadership presence
Activities
- trigger identification
- scenario analysis
- behavioral pattern mapping
- reflection exercises
Practical workplace applications
- difficult conversations
- conflict
- uncertainty
- accountability discussions
- stakeholder pressure
Key takeaway
Strong leaders regulate emotion before leading others through it.
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch & Networking
Includes
- facilitated table prompts
- sponsor acknowledgment
- March of Dimes impact story
- peer networking
1:15 – 2:30 PM
Session 3 — Heart: Motivation & Empathy
Topics
- Emotional and cognitive empathy
- Motivation drivers
- Relationship-building
- Understanding others under pressure
- Listening beyond words
- Empathy without losing accountability
Activities
- empathy mapping
- leadership conversation exercises
- perspective-taking
- real workplace scenarios
Workplace outcomes
- stronger retention
- improved engagement
- better buy-in
- healthier culture
- stronger trust
Key takeaway
People support leaders who make them feel understood.
2:30 – 2:45 PM
Break
2:45 – 4:00 PM
Session 4 — Mouth: Social Skills & Communication
Topics
- Communicating clearly under pressure
- Social awareness
- Respectful communication
- Difficult conversations
- Conflict navigation
- Leadership influence
- Building alignment
Activities
- communication roleplay
- feedback exercises
- leadership simulations
- peer coaching conversations
Practical outcomes
- influence without authority
- stronger collaboration
- reduced friction
- improved team dynamics
Key takeaway
Leadership communication shapes culture.
4:00 – 4:30 PM
EQ 360 Assessment Introduction & Reflection
Topics
- Understanding the EQ 360 process
- Self-perception vs external perception
- Leadership blind spots
- Growth opportunities
- Behavioral feedback
Participants will
- receive EQ 360 instructions
- identify reflection priorities
- establish development focus areas
Key takeaway
Leadership growth accelerates when feedback becomes actionable.
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Closing Session — Leadership Commitments & Next Steps
Topics
- Translating insight into action
- Sustaining behavior change
- Leadership consistency
- Building healthier workplace environments
- Personal leadership commitments
Closing activity
- leadership commitment prompts
- next-step planning
- accountability reflections
5:00 – 6:30 PM
Optional Networking Mixer
Informal networking experience for participants, sponsors, community leaders, and March of Dimes supporters.
Includes
- light refreshments
- relationship-building
- sponsor visibility
- continued discussion
Post-event reinforcement
Make the learning stick
The reinforcement sessions are critical. Without reinforcement, people forget concepts quickly. These sessions turn the workshop into an experience, a development process, and behavioral change support.
4 weeks later · Virtual · 90 minutes
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Virtual Reinforcement Session #1
Applying Emotional Intelligence in Real Leadership Situations
Purpose
Help participants apply workshop concepts to real workplace situations.
Topics
- emotional regulation under pressure
- communication breakdowns
- trust repair
- difficult leadership moments
- empathy during conflict
- staying composed during uncertainty
Activities
- participant case discussions
- facilitated coaching
- peer reflection
- real-world leadership scenarios
Outcome
- what's working
- where they're struggling
- what behaviors need reinforcement
10 weeks later · Virtual · 90 minutes
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Virtual Reinforcement Session #2
Sustaining Influence, Trust & Leadership Growth
Purpose
Strengthen long-term application and leadership consistency.
Topics
- sustaining emotional intelligence habits
- maintaining trust and buy-in
- leadership under sustained pressure
- communication consistency
- accountability and influence
- continuing leadership development intentionally
Activities
- EQ 360 reflection revisit
- growth progress discussion
- leadership commitments
- peer accountability conversations
Outcome
- reinforced learning
- behavioral clarity
- leadership growth plan
- sustainable next steps
Ready to claim your seat?
Seats are limited. Register today and we'll send everything you need to prepare for the day.
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