EMERGING LEADERS LAB
Where New Leaders Learn
Your new leaders don't just need training.
They need practice, community, and support that lasts longer than a single workshop.
Every organization eventually faces the same challenge
You promote someone because they're good at their job. Then you expect them to lead.
But leading takes a different set of skills than the ones that got them promoted.
Communication and Relationship Building
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Resilience and Adaptability
Most new leaders are never actually taught these things. They're handed a title and left to figure it out, often at the expense of their team's trust and their own confidence.
The gap doesn't close on its own. Without a real system for developing new leaders, organizations end up with managers who are technically capable but underprepared to lead people, and teams that feel the difference.
The Emerging Leaders Lab exists to close that gap deliberately, in 60-90 days, before it becomes a costly one.
The system
01
Three In-Person Workshops
Communication and relationship building. Critical thinking and problem-solving. Resilience and adaptability. Each session builds on the last with emphasis on real-world scenarios and practice.
02
Leadership Office Hours
Keeps the group's momentum going after the workshops end. Unlimited access to discuss real wins and challenges, exclusively for Emerging Leaders Lab alumni.
03
One-on-One Coaching
Optional, for leaders who want individualized support with an ICF-certified coach who has no stake in the outcome. Focused time to explore the application of key leadership principles.
in-person workshops
Day 1: Communication and Relationship Building
Establishes the foundation for effective leadership by focusing on communication and relationship building. Participants explore what it means to lead versus manage, how communication styles impact team dynamics, and how everyday interactions shape trust and credibility.
Day 2: Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Strengthens critical thinking and decision-making skills. Participants learn to slow down their thinking, identify the right problems to solve, and avoid common traps that lead to ineffective decisions.
Day 3: Resilience and Adaptability
Builds the ability to stay steady and adapt when plans change or setbacks hit. Participants use self-awareness to understand how they respond under pressure, apply the three C's of resilience (commitment, challenge, and control), and spot the thinking traps that undermine good judgment.
Leadership office hours
Leadership does not come with a manual, and the challenges do not stop once the program ends. Leadership Office Hours are twice-monthly virtual sessions, open indefinitely and free of charge to all Emerging Leaders Lab alumni.
Facilitated by our team, it's where new leaders can bring real questions, work through current challenges, and connect with peers who are navigating the same terrain.
Each session is open and conversational. Leaders come with something specific they are working through, or to listen and learn from others. Attendees are leaders in similar roles who have their own insights and experiences to share, along with practical tips and tools from Work Wise Labs to keep leadership momentum.
No agenda. No pressure. Just an ongoing community of support for the leaders you’ve invested in.
"I learned some valuable strategies I can easily implement to address ongoing issues with my team.”
"I will communicate more clearly with my coworkers and have more empathy for how their communication styles differ from my own."
"I enjoyed the breakout rooms and going through real examples with practical ways to apply the tools and reframing questions we learned to develop our critical thinking."
ONe-oN-One Coaching
Optional one-on-one coaching gives each leader space to work through what's specific to their role and their challenges. Sessions are personalized and led by an ICF-certified coach with no stake in the outcome, focused on what's actually getting in the leader's way. It's a chance to think out loud, get clear on what's possible, and walk away with action items that apply directly to their day-to-day.
Organizations that build coaching into their development efforts are nearly five times more likely to say their teams successfully sustain behavior change after training.
(Source: Training Industry / Lever - Transfer of Learning survey)
this isn’t one-and-done training
It's a leadership development experience built for the long haul, with the skills, support, and community to help your leaders actually grow into who they're becoming..
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New leaders shape culture, retention, and results. Investing in their success turns potential into performance, and sets them up for lasting effectiveness and engagement.
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While in-person is optimal for the workshop portion of the Emerging Leaders Lab, the entire program can also be delivered virtually.
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60-90 days in duration.
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Minimum of 10, maximum of 25. Have a smaller group of new leaders? Reach out and we can work with you on a solution.
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Pricing is dependent on your unique program design. Reach out to us to talk numbers.
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The Emerging Leaders Lab is facilitated by Elissa Zylbershlag or another member of the Work Wise Labs team. Coaching is provided by ICF-credentialed leadership coaches.
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Contact us to discuss your program details, scheduling, and pricing.
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We have a variety of programs. Learn more here.
FAQ
testimonials
"I thought these sessions were fantastic. While some of the concepts and points were things I've learned in other similar workshops, I felt the information was presented in a fresh way that felt 'stickier.'"
“I am enjoying these workshops immensely. They are allowing me to rethink the way I say and do things at work...I particularly enjoyed the scenarios and hearing other people's responses to the questions."
"I liked learning about how it's better to take time thinking about the problem rather than rushing into a solution. Learning strategies for how we handle ourselves when someone has a negative image of us was also valuable to me."