Please note: Registration is now closed for Part 1 of this series. Please contact Registration@PublicPower.org with any questions.

Return to the Leadership Toolkit: Four-Part Series

Four-Part Leadership Toolkit Overview

This four-part webinar series builds essential leadership skills — from communicating with confidence and cultivating trust to leading with resilience and driving accountability. Each session offers practical tools and strategies to help leaders grow their impact and foster stronger, more effective teams. Sign up for this course individually or for the four-part Leadership Toolkit for a discounted, bundled rate.

Timing

This series consists of four (4) live Zoom sessions from Noon - 2 pm ET on Jan 29; Feb 5, 13, & 19. 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. 

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.

Part 1: Core Leadership Skills 

Description

The skills required to be an effective leader are distinct from those of a high-performing employee. Emerging leaders can join this series to practice and begin to build the essential tools needed to effectively communicate, connect, and motivate their team. Each webinar focuses on a key leadership competency, providing practical insights and actionable techniques to help individuals grow, build trust, and foster accountability. This is Part 1 of the four-part Leadership Toolkit.

All sessions take place from Noon - 2 pm ET

Part 1 webinars: Core Leadership Skills for Emerging Professionals
  • Jan 29: Communicating with Clarity and Confidence

  • Feb 5: Cultivating Trust

  • Feb 13: Becoming a Resilient Leader

  • Feb 19: Fostering Results Through Accountability

Visit the "Individual Webinar Information" dropdown below to learn more about each webinar. 

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

In the latest episode of Public Power Now, Cyndi Wentland, the founder of Intentional Leaders, details how public power officials will benefit from participating in a webinar series of APPA’s Leadership Toolkit, which offers a comprehensive path for professional growth. Listen to the podcast, here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1452280/episodes/18476430-benefits-of-participating-in-leadership-toolkit-webinar-series-are-detailed 

Who Should Attend?

Whether you're new to leadership or have years of experience under your belt, this program is designed to help you grow, refocus, and lead with greater impact. It’s ideal for:

  • Emerging leaders stepping into management for the first time
  • Team leads and supervisors ready to strengthen core skills and boost team performance
  • Mid-level managers looking to expand strategic thinking, resilience, and influence
  • Seasoned professionals seeking a fresh perspective and new tools to elevate their leadership

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 this Part 1 series (recommended .8 CEUs/8.8 CPEs/8 PDHs for the four webinars listed above).

Instructor

Cyndi Wentland HeadshotCyndi Wentland is the Founder of IntentionaLeaders, an organization that fosters growth, development, and passion in leaders at all levels of experience. An avid teacher and learner, she believes that with the right resources and support, anyone can learn to be a phenomenal leader regardless of title or role. She has spent the last three decades working with large and small corporations across a variety of industries, teaching business courses at the college level, providing executive coaching, and being a solo entrepreneur.

Cyndi is a strong advocate and practitioner of strengths-based performance and positive psychology. As the host of The Intentional Leader Podcast with Cyndi Wentland, she provides immediate access to micro learning, small shifts in habits, and practices that make a big impact on relationships and results. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and an MBA from Edgewood College. She is an authorized partner and facilitator for Everything DiSC©, the Meyers-Briggs Type Inventory©, Management Research Groups Leadership 360, and is certified as a coach through the Life Coach School and as a Virtual Presenter by eSpeakers.

Disclosure: The instructors have no proprietary or financial interests in any products, services, or materials discussed in this course. 

Individual Webinar Information

Part 1: Core Leadership Skills for Emerging Professionals 

(Jan 29; Feb 5, 13, & 19 | Thursdays, Noon – 2 pm ET, except Friday, Feb 13)

 

Webinar 1: Communicate with Clarity and Confidence (Thurs, Jan. 29)

Explore your communication style and learn about assertive communication, which enables you to navigate challenging conversations, provide valued feedback, and express your ideas while building trust with others. Mastering this style of communication reduces misunderstandings, prevents resentment, and promotes a more positive and respectful workplace culture. Review key elements in communicating effectively as a leader and take part in scenarios to help you build self-confidence in participating in productive, solution-oriented dialogues.

Topics:

  • How effective communication supports improved leadership
  • Core elements of powerful communication
  • Assess your personal communication style
  • Key traits of assertive communication
  • Practice assertive communication in high-stakes situations
Webinar 2: Cultivating Trust (Thurs, Feb. 5)

Trust profoundly influences our connection with others, shaping the quality of relationships and the overall effectiveness of a leader. Trust is what enables open communication, fosters collaboration, and builds emotional connections rooted in respect, empathy, and loyalty. Learn how leaders build and nurture trust to create meaningful connections with their teams and more unified and resilient organizations. Reflect on your experiences with trust and evaluate how you can improve your “trust brand” to foster a healthier workplace.

Topics:

  • Getting in the right mindset to build and sustain trust
  • Seven key components for fostering trust
  • Recovering from damaged trust
  • Assess your personal "trust brand"
  • The distinction between offering apologies and making amends
Webinar 3: Becoming a Resilient Leader (Fri, Feb. 13)

New leaders often navigate the inevitable stress and time pressures that come with increased responsibilities. In today's fast-paced work environment, effective leaders are those who can adapt, recover quickly from setbacks, and maintain emotional balance in the face of adversity. Resilient leaders not only safeguard their own well-being, they also inspire confidence and stability within their teams. Learn ways to build emotional tolerance, improve time management, and better understand and manage stress.

Topics:

  • Understanding stress: causes and effects in the workplace
  • Expanding your window of tolerance
  • Effective techniques to prioritize and manage time
  • The benefits of single-tasking for yourself and for productivity
  • Four key strategies for managing stress with confidence
Webinar 4: Fostering Results through Accountability (Thurs, Feb. 19)

Accountability is a cornerstone of effective leadership. When leaders hold themselves and others accountable, they set the stage for maintaining organizational alignment and driving results. Learn strategies for demonstrating accountability, from how to set clear expectations, show follow through on commitments and create an environment of transparency and mutual respect. Discuss how to foster a sense of ownership across your team and how your organizational cultures might hinder accountability.

Topics:

  • The differences between responsibility, ownership, and accountability
  • Setting and communicating goals and expectations
  • Practical strategies for sustaining a sense of ownership
  • Evaluate your organizational culture’s effectiveness in fostering accountability
  • Techniques for conducting effective accountability conversations

Questions?

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org

Schedule/Content/Accreditation: Academy@PublicPower.org

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$1,190
   
Part 2: Leading Teams with Purpose: Essential Leadership Practices (July 7, 14, 21, 28)$595$1,190
   
Part 3: Strategic Leadership in Action: Driving Vision and Results (Sept 9, 16, 23, 30)$595$1,190
   
Part 4: Developing Authentic Leadership: Skills for Leading through Change (Nov 19; Dec 3, 10)$545$1,090
   

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 January 22. 

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

Accreditation & Event Policies

Learn more about APPA’s Accreditation and Event Policies or contact APPA’s Education Team with questions Academy@PublicPower.org.

Code of Conduct

All who register to participate, attend, speak at, or exhibit at an APPA Event, and all participants in APPA committees, work groups, courses, or other APPA groups, must agree to comply with this Code of Conduct (review and acceptance of the Code is included in the registration process).

Questions?

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org

Schedule/Content/Accreditation: Academy@PublicPower.org

Accreditation

Earn While You Learn!

Participate in live virtual programs to earn IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and NASBA Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs). Participate in live virtual programs to earn IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and NASBA Continuing Professional Education credits (CPEs)—credit availability, completion requirements, and number of credits vary by course and are confirmed with attendees upon registration and before and during a course.

Learn more about APPA’s Accreditation and Event Policies here.

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. To receive continuing education credits for live learning events, attendees must meet the requirements for successful completion which include:

  1. Attendance: Individuals must attend at least 90% of all live sessions (based on electronic timestamps in Zoom).
  2. Active participation: Engage in learning event activities (tracked electronically).
    1. Activities vary by class: Active participation in class will include engagement activities such as: Zoom polling/check-in questions, reactions and chat box contributions, and knowledge-check quizzes (all tracked electronically). There may also be small group breakout sessions, in-class exercises, and Q&A sessions.
      1. Information on participation requirements will be provided at least 24 hours before (and at the beginning of) class.
  3. Online evaluation: Each person must complete an online evaluation after the course concludes (tracked electronically).

Important Notes

  • Individual Registration: Each participant must register separately and will receive a unique Zoom login link. Attendees should join from their own computer to fully participate in discussions and exercises. Individual Zoom login links will be sent 24 hours before the course. Group discounts are available for multiple attendees.
  • No Partial Credit: Credit cannot be awarded for partial attendance.
  • Completion Certificates: Certificates will be available within two weeks of course completion via your APPA user portal (instructions provided) for those who meet the criteria for successful completion.
  • Session Recordings: All virtual sessions are recorded (unless otherwise noted). Attendees will receive access within one week of the final session. Recordings remain available for 90 days, but continuing education credits require live attendance.

Guidelines for Group Participation in Virtual Events

  • Individual Logins Recommended: If a group joins from a conference room, each participant should log in individually from a laptop to meet attendance and participation requirements.
  • If Individual Logins Are Not Possible:
    • Designate one point of contact for the group.
    • Email Academy@PublicPower.org before the event with:
      • Name of the person responsible for tracking attendance and participation (APPA can provide a sample tracker).
      • Submit the completed attendance record to APPA within 2 business days after the event.
      • Ensure each participant completes the required online evaluation.

Accreditation

What educational credits are available?

You can earn the following kinds of continuing education credits for attending live sessions — provided the Requirements for Successful Completion noted above are met:

IACET

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): The American Public Power Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training. For information regarding certification status, attendance requirements and obtaining attendee transcripts, contact Academy@PublicPower.org. Verify our IACET Accreditation.

CPE

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits: The American Public Power Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as clarification of requirements, complaints, and refunds, please contact Academy@PublicPower.org. 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.

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.

Contact Us

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 Access and Materials

  • 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.  
  • Padlet Site: The instructor will also utilize a Padlet site to provide additional resources and post after-session assignments.

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:

  • Each course has a random Meeting ID
  • Meeting is password-protected
  • Enabled waiting room to screen meeting participants
  • Screen sharing restricted to hosts only

Questions? 

Registration/Billing: Registration@PublicPower.org

Schedule/Content/Accreditation: Academy@PublicPower.org