Return to the Leadership Toolkit: Four-Part Series

Timing

This series consists of three (3) live Zoom sessions from Noon - 1:30 p.m. ET on Nov 19, Dec 3 & 10. There will be one 10-minute break in each live session. 

Unable to make the live sessions? Recordings will be made available (automatically to those who register) within a week after each live session. 

Course Overview

This series highlights key leadership capabilities necessary for leading in this time of significant disruption. With so much uncertainty in many aspects of work and life these days, being able to lead with authenticity, growth mindset, and appreciation are essential. Each session offers insights, frameworks, and ideas, as well as interactive discussions and exercises, that empower leaders with a toolkit for being able to inspire their teams and they navigate change.

Delivery Method/Learning Environment

This course is a Group Internet based offering (via Zoom) and combines real-time presentation, polling questions, real-world examples, small group breakouts, Q&A, and group discussion.

Series Overview

All sessions take place from Noon - 1:30 p.m. ET

Authentic Leadership in Times of Change

  • Nov 19: Leading with Authenticity

  • Dec 3: Operating with a Growth Mindset and Embracing Difficult Conversation

  • Dec 10: Infusing Your Team with Appreciation

All events are recorded and attendees will automatically receive access to the recordings (accessible for 90 days).

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who wants to gain important skills to help them navigate change and lead others. If you’re concerned about the uncertainty and disruption, and the rate of change seems overwhelming to you at times, you’re not alone. This series is for leaders who are committed to their own growth and that of their teams, and to learning new ways of operating in the face of unprecedented disruption.

Program Level: Basic level—no prerequisites, some advance preparation requested.

This is a foundational-to-intermediate leadership program designed for professionals at various stages of their management journey. It offers a strong foundation with room to grow into more advanced concepts.

Prerequisites/Advance Preparation

To help participants get the most out of each session, light prep work is encouraged before webinars — such as watching a short podcast or reflecting on a leadership prompt — to set the stage for meaningful learning and practical application. There are no prerequisites for any of the courses.

Technology Requirements

  • Computer: Each attendee needs to work from their own computer, to fully participate in the discussions and exercises.
  • Zoom Meeting Access: You’ll need strong Internet access to run the Zoom meeting platform.
  • Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.
  • Download the Kahoot! App: The instructors will be using Kahoot during (and after) live sessions and will provide you with the game PIN number needed for each quiz. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and download the free Kahoot! app on your phone.

Accreditation

Continuing education credits (CEUs, CPEs, and PDHs) will be provided for each session. Recommended .4 CEUs/ 4.5 PDHs 

Instructors 

mike robbins headshotMike Robbins is a leading expert in leadership, culture, and teamwork — helping some of the world’s most respected organizations build environments where people perform at their best because they feel safe, valued, and connected. Over the past twenty-five years, Mike has partnered with hundreds of organizations, including Google, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Walmart, Schwab, LinkedIn, Deloitte, the U.S. Department of Labor, Gap, Harvard University, Coca-Cola, Disney, Chevron, eBay, Kaiser, Airbnb, UC Berkeley, the NBA, Pixar, Genentech, Adobe, and the San Francisco Giants, among many others. He has spoken in seventeen countries across four continents and is one of fewer than 10% of professional speakers worldwide to earn the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association.

Through his keynotes, seminars, leadership programs, and executive coaching, Mike empowers leaders and teams to strengthen trust, enhance collaboration, and embrace authenticity as a driver of high performance. His approach blends emotional intelligence with practical business insight, helping organizations translate values like appreciation, empathy, and belonging into tangible results that elevate engagement and drive growth. Mike holds a degree in American Studies from Stanford University, with a specialization in race and ethnicity, and has completed extensive professional and personal development training, including with the Coaches Training Institute.  He's the host of the popular podcast, We're All in This Together, which has almost 450 episodes.  He's also delivered three TEDx talks which have close to 2.5 million views.

Individual Webinar Information

Part 4: Authentic Leadership in Times of Change 

(Nov 19. Dec 3, 10 | Thursdays, Noon – 1:30 p.m. ET)
  • Nov 19: Leading with Authenticity
    • At the foundation of leadership, navigating change, and building trust is authenticity. In this session we’ll discuss what authenticity truly means, why it can be challenging to lead with authenticity, especially right now, the importance of doing so, even if it’s hard, and specific ways to enhance authenticity in individual relationships and the team.
    • Topics:
      • What authenticity is and is not
      • Why authenticity can be difficult
      • The authenticity equation
      • Lowering the waterline
  • Dec 3: Operating with a Growth Mindset and Embracing Difficult Conversation
    • In order to lead with agility and continue to evolve amid uncertainty, it’s essential to operate with a growth mindset and to embrace difficult conversations. Leaders and teams who are able to navigate change adopt a growth mindset. They also talk to each other, not about each other. Having hard conversations effectively is necessary, especially in times of disruption. In this session we’ll delve into why growth mindset is so important and how to access it, even and especially when challenges arise. We’ll also discuss specific ways to approach difficult conversations so they can go as well as possible.
    • Topics:
      • Looking for the growth opportunities, even in the challenges and changes
      • Why complaining is normal, but unproductive
      • How to embrace authenticity when talking about difficult topics
      • The importance of embracing sweaty-palmed conversations
  • Dec 10: Infusing Your Team with Appreciation
    • Getting people to engage, connect, and perform is as important and as challenging as ever these days…appreciation is foundational in making this happen. Teams that thrive, especially in times of change, appreciate one another. In this session we’ll explore what appreciation actually is and why it is so important for connection, trust, and performance, particularly amid uncertainty.
    • Topics:
      • Why appreciation is so critical
      • What appreciation is and isn’t
      • The important distinction between recognition and appreciation
      • How to effectively appreciate the people on your team

Questions?

Registration

Registration Fees

Registration is for individual access. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available. 

Registration FeesMemberNonmember
*Bundle - Leadership Toolkit: Four-Part Series (Jan - Dec 2026) | Save $400$2,030$4,060
   
Part 1: Leadership Foundations: Core Skills for Emerging Professionals: Jan 29, Feb 5, 13 & 19 $595$1190
   
Part 2: Leading Teams with Purpose: July 7, 14, 21, 28 $595$1190
   
Part 3: Strategic Leadership in Action: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 $595$1190
   
Part 4: Authentic Leadership in Times of Change: Nov 19. Dec 3, 10 $445$890
   

Group Discounts

Save money when your organization registers five or more people for the webinar series. The larger your group, the more you save! Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders. 

If you need assistance, contact Registration@PublicPower.org.

Number of registrantsDiscount
(per person)
1-4n/a
5-9$50
10-14$100
15-24$150
25+$200

 

Registration Help

Check out our Registration FAQs for answers to the most common questions and help with all your registration-related issues. 

Cancellations /No-Show/ Refunds/ Substitutions

All webinars will be recorded and attendees will automatically receive a copy of the recordings, in case you can’t attend live.

Registrants who cancel in writing at least 7 days in advance of the first webinar in the series are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after that will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel at least 7 days before the course start date are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund. 

Cancellations must be received on/before November 12. 

Cancellation requests should be made through your My.PublicPower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org.

Questions?

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in virtual programs to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs). 

Requirements for Successful Completion: Virtual

  • Registration is for individual access, so each person participating must register. If you have multiple people interested in attending, group discounts are available.
  • Individuals are required to attend and actively participate in 90% of each live session and complete an online evaluation after the last session in a course.
    • Attendance: Individuals must attend at least 90% of each live session (based on electronic timestamps in Zoom).
    • Participation: Active participation in class will include engagement activities such as: polling/check-in questions, and Kahoot quizzes (tracked electronically). There will also be small group breakout sessions, in-class exercises, and Q&A sessions.
    • Activities vary by class: Information on participation will be provided the day before (and during) class. Participation is tracked electronically.
    • Online evaluation: Each person must complete an online evaluation after the course concludes
  • Partial credit cannot be given for partial attendance.
  • Attendance is monitored by an APPA staff member during the event, through an online report log, and upon review of the post-event evaluation data.
  • Completion certificates will be available within two weeks of the last session in a live event (for those who meet the requirements) through your APPA member portal (access instructions will be provided).
  • Virtual sessions are recorded (attendees automatically receive access to recordings within a week of the last session), though continuing education credits can only be given for attending live events. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session.

Guidelines for Group Participation in Virtual Events

  • If a group is participating in a conference room together, we recommend each person still logs in individually from a laptop to ensure attendance and participation requirements are met (as noted above).
  • If individual log in is not possible, the organization must designate one person as the main point of contact. Email Academy@PublicPower.org in advance of the virtual event noting this information
    • This person will record attendance in the room in the room (we can provide a sample attendance tracker) and ensure attendance and participation from the group throughout.
    • Submit the attendance record to APPA within 2 business days of the conclusion of a virtual event.
    • Ensure each person fills out the required online evaluation.

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions — provided the following requirements are met:

IACET logoContinuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements, and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact Academy@PublicPower.org. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs): The American Public Power Association’s educational practices are consistent with the criteria for awarding Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Course eligibility and number of PDHs may vary by state.

Questions? 

Additional Information

Format and Log-In Information

These webinars will be offered on the Zoom meeting platform. 

Communication

  • 24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
  • 24 hours before: You’ll receive your Zoom log in link the day before the first session in a course (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <no-reply@zoom.us>)
    • You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class.
  • If you don’t receive this correspondence, email Academy@PublicPower.org

Course Materials and Recordings

  • Zoom Links: Zoom log in credentials will be sent out 24 hours before the start of the first session.
  • Course Materials: Attendees will receive access to course materials the day before each session through the "Documents" section of their My.PublicPower.org user portal.
  • Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and can be accessed through your user portal as well (within a week of the last class in the program), in case you can’t attend the live versions. Recordings will be accessible for 90 days after the last session. Note: Continuing education credits can only be issued for attending live sessions.

Technology Requirements

  • Zoom Meeting Application: Attendees are required to have strong Internet access, in order to run the Zoom meeting platform. Please see below for more information on downloading the Zoom Web Client.
  • Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.  

New to Zoom?

If you haven't participated in a Zoom meeting before, please download the Zoom web client from the Zoom Download Center. This will enable you to access all of the Zoom tools and functionality vs. using the web version. Then, visit Zoom.us/test to ensure you are able to join a meeting. 

If you are not able to download the Zoom web client, you can still participate via your Internet browser. We recommend using Chrome for the best results.

Privacy and Security

The American Public Power Association takes your privacy and security very seriously. For this reason, we have put the following security measures in place for this course:

  • A random Meeting ID
  • Password-protected
  • Enabled waiting room to screen meeting participants
  • Restricted screen sharing to hosts only

Questions?