Academy Programs

In Pursuit of Leadership: A Law Enforcement Perspective

We will learn and discuss leadership philosophies from a law enforcement perspective from the ground level to the executive level, learning how to have better conversations today, and tomorrow.  As part of this session, we will learn and understand the importance of details and how the lack of details can derail effective communication, how we get work done, and our overall goals and expectations. Together we will discuss the importance of knowing how others around us react to our leadership style can create a more positive and productive workplace.

Learning Objectives

1. Gain insight on the importance of details
2. Narrow down which leadership style works best for your job
3. Learn why the Office of Sheriff is different from other law enforcement leaders

Cost: This is a special program that is FREE for all to attend.

About Our Facilitator

Tony Skinner has been a part of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 30 years.  In his career, he has worked as a correctional officer, narcotics investigator, training director, supervisor on all three shifts and has been elected as the Delaware County Sheriff twice.  In 2006, Tony went to Iraq for a year as a civilian contractor.  During that time, he was embedded with the U.S. Army and was able to see several different leadership styles throughout the ranks of the military. Tony has been married to April for 22 years. They have two kids, LT and Lauren, and two granddaughters, Layken and Loxley.  In his free time, Tony enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting and traveling.

How to Build Relationships to Negotiate Anything

Negotiation doesn’t have to be a daunting task! This interactive and fun training session is designed to transform negotiation from a challenge into an opportunity. Get ready to discover and unleash your innate negotiation prowess, turning every interaction into a win-win scenario. Are you ready to transform your negotiation game? Participants will leave this training equipped with practical tools, newfound confidence, and a personalized negotiation toolkit ready for immediate implementation in their professional lives.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the dynamic negotiation landscape and its impact on business success.
2. Leverage your natural abilities to navigate negotiations with authenticity and flair.
3. Develop effective communication techniques to build consensus and foster lasting relationships.
4. Master the art of influencing with confidence, leaving a lasting impression.
5. Uncover the power of WIIFM to decode the other party’s motivations.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits. Please NOTE this Early Riser starts at 9 a.m. EST, NOT 8 a.m. EST. 

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Leah Stallone is an experienced Career Strategist, Leadership Coach, and Trainer with roots in Human Resources. 15+ years of talent management, professional development, and learning & development experience in industries such as litigation consulting, finance, technology, and healthcare influences her hands-on approach. Leah’s experience spans leading global learning & development practice at Charles River Associates to running performance management at William Blair & Company. She currently facilitates corporate training, runs a coaching practice, and teaches management at the University of Denver. As a lifelong “career junkie,” Leah uses an intuitive approach to build customized programs to educate clients on communications, performance management, and leadership. She prides herself in helping clients demystify the complicated. Leah shares the power of storytelling to help clients communicate their meaningful career moments. Professional certifications include BetterUp Coaching, ATD Facilitation, Purpose-driven Leader, and SPHR certifications.

In-Person 3 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

1. 1. Explore the foundations of conflict resolution, learning to identify different conflict styles and their impact on team dynamics.
   2. Understand and utilize negotiation and mediation tactics to facilitate impartial and empathetic conflict resolution, enhancing team dynamics and cooperation.
   3. Learn how to foster a collaborative work environment, leveraging the understanding of diverse perspectives to transform workplace conflicts into opportunities for growth, improved teamwork, and increased productivity.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

James Joseph serves as Training Development Specialist for Bank & Consumer Operations, with First Merchants Bank. He is a highly accomplished professional with more than 25 years’ experience in training development and advancing early career professionals. He has developed a deep expertise in coaching and professional development. At First Merchants, his role focuses on procedure and product education and process improvement resulting in updated procedures which minimize risk for the bank and improve culture and employee retention. James has served in the United States Marine Corps, where he received five meritorious promotions, and served in key training development roles at Xfinity and the Turner Mining Group. He has graduated from Shafer Leadership’s Empower & Emergence programs and has led Public Speaking classes for the University of Phoenix. James is a dedicated team player, known for his ability to collaborate effectively and inspire others to achieve their best, and is passionate about leading a life of love and growing a better understanding of people.

Virtual 2-Part Series

Session #1: 
Wednesday, August 21
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2: 
Thursday, August 22
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Discover the transformative power of Core Energy in leadership. This course delves into the intangible yet essential energy at the core of our thoughts, emotions, and actions, shaping how we lead and influence. Through Core Energy coaching and training, you’ll learn to harness this energy to enhance your personal performance as a leader. Embrace the unknown with confidence, take reasonable risks without fear, and shift your perspective from mere survival to visionary thinking. Join us to unlock your full potential and lead with greater clarity and impact. This session will teach leaders about the seven levels of energy leadership, how they show up in their everyday lives and how to shift their energy.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify what is Core Energy Leadership and why it is important
2. Understand the seven levels of energy leadership
3. Lean how to recognize these levels in our lives and how to shift our energy

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Julie Sanchez passionately believes in leaning in and working to become the solution to whatever challenges we face in the world today. Sanchez understands the struggles we face as a society are complicated and multi-faceted. She knows that Black professional women and underestimated leaders have real barriers to achieving the American dream. Nonetheless, Sanchez believes the American dream can be realized when people work together. CEO Sanchez is a professional speaker and conducts a variety of team building, and training workshops. Sanchez is an ICF-certified coach who has developed award-winning teams and has been recognized for her work with underestimated entrepreneurs.

Purpose-Driven Organizations: Prioritizing ‘Why’ Over ‘What’

In this session, we will delve into the significance of focusing on your purpose rather than just growing your business. Understanding and embracing the ‘why’ behind your efforts can inspire greater passion and drive, leading to more impactful and sustainable success. Discover how a purpose-driven approach can reshape your business strategy and enhance your overall satisfaction.

Learning Objectives

1. Explore the core values of your company and understand how these values influence your work

2. Create or refine a Purpose Statement to drive organizational focus and motivation

3. Understand the impact of a Purpose Statement on individual contributors and overall success.

Who should attend:

• Employees/Intrapreneurs who want to more closely align with their company’s Purpose
• Business owners wanting to re-evaluate/create their Purpose
• Entrepreneurs who want to get their Purpose right before starting a business
• People with a “side-hustle” who want to evaluate if they’re just doing it for more money

Cost: FREE for all to attend.

About Our Facilitator

Adam Unger is CEO of Accutech Systems Corporation (ASC) and has been working with ASC since 1999. Prior to becoming CEO in 2010, his roles included: Inside Sales, Director of Marketing, and COO. Adam is responsible for setting the vision for the company and developing long-term strategic initiatives. Adam leads the internal executive team and outside board of advisors. Since becoming CEO, Adam has led a corporate restructuring for growth, increased revenue nearly ten-fold (10x), re-branded ASC internally and externally, launched an innovative browser-based flagship product, and eliminated all debt. Adam graduated magna cum laude from Ball State University in Muncie, IN with a degree in Telecommunications with a Corporate Option. He also holds a Masters Certificate in Business Administration from Ball State University and graduated from Southeastern Trust School at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.

Cultivating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace

Trans people are increasingly visible yet face significant challenges in almost all aspects of life, including the workplace. 63% of trans people report being discriminated against because of their gender identity, while 49% report being asked unnecessary or invasive questions at work (KFF / The Washington Post).
Through education, compassion, and intentionality, you can build a more inclusive and equitable workplace for trans people. In this session, you’ll learn a variety of practices you can implement to help trans coworkers, customers, and other stakeholders feel like they belong in your organization.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about the rich complexity of gender identities, including terms such as transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, and agender
2. Identify challenges that trans people experience in the workplace
3. Discover interventions and trans-inclusive language practices that can help create a more equitable and inclusive experience for trans people in the workplace

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Eva Grouling Snider is an Instructional Consultant at Ball State University, where she supports faculty in their teaching. She is a certified Gallup Global Strengths Coach and is passionate about helping people see the best in themselves.

Examining Biases and Stereotypes

Stereotypes and biases affect decisions, communication, behavior and determine how we respond to family, friends, co-workers, and the strangers that we interact with on a day-to-day basis. Based on our experiences, real or perceived, the brain creates categories and associations to help us process & organize information that makes sense of the world around us. These associations are influenced by social and cultural factors and are exhibited through behavior and thoughts.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify and address our own biases and stereotypes.
2. Recognize the impact our belief system & actions have on others while addressing ways to actively minimize decision-making that contributes to disparities in all kinds of systems.
3. Learn to identify and interrupt words, behaviors and attitudes that are insensitive and actively discount and marginalized individuals from different social groups.
4. Practice strategies that enhance empathy and understanding in our culturally diverse workplaces.
5. Create a plan to shift from awareness towards action and stability.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Dorica Watson is a Social Worker, certified Life Coach, Community Advocate, Trainer, and Director of Community Engagement at Open Door Health Services. She is a Muncie native who started her higher education journey as a non-traditional student at the local community college. Dorica went on to earn many degrees and professional certifications that have led her to the national stage as a collaborator, speaker, trainer and coach. Dorica is a change agent who brings a unique “relationship- first” perspective to each and every encounter. Her background in community engagement, mindfulness, personal & professional empowerment and poverty alleviation align with her moto “to not only take up space but to create it for other people”. Dorica has been honored with serval awards including, Ivy Tech Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Team Community Award, NASW Region 5 Social Worker of the Year and was the 2019 ATHENA International Leadership Awardee.  Dorica is passionate about people having served on many youth and/or family focused boards and committees in Delaware County. She is a member of The Church of the Living God, Co-Chair for Juneteenth Muncie and past Board President of Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU. Additionally, Dorica serves an advisory board member for the Ball State University Social Work Department, Director of Representation Matters, a literacy advocate and a dedicated youth mentor. She is a mother, Gorgeous Grandmother (GG) and wife, three separate but powerful titles that encourage her to be the best version of herself daily.

Finding Flow: A Workshop for Unlocking High Performance & Focus

VIrtual 2-Part Series

Session #1: 
Wednesday, September 18
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Session #2: 
Thursday, September 19
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Have you ever noticed how there are certain moments when you do your best work? What if you could stack the deck in favor of doing that more consistently? In this interactive workshop, we will look at the science-backed ways of working known as ‘flow’—the state of optimal focus and ‘clutch’ performance—navigating high-pressure situations with finesse. Explore the psychological principles, practical strategies, and experiment with hands-on exercises that can help unlock new ways of showing up for the work that motivates and matters most to you.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the psychology behind ‘flow’ and ‘clutch’ performance
2. Learn techniques to access and sustain the ‘flow’ state
3. Develop strategies to thrive and excel in high-pressure situations
4. Cultivate a personalized action plan for achieving peak performance in professional and personal pursuits

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Adam Bouse founded Optimistic Coaching to help people overcome challenges, navigate emotions, and live with greater intentionality. He’s an International Coaching Federation-certified coach with more than 15 years of leadership experience and over 1000 hours of coaching experience. With training in emotional intelligence and brain-based coaching, Adam empowers clients to achieve their goals while fostering greater resilience and satisfaction. Optimistic Coaching specializes in coaching and training for emotional intelligence, empathy, difficult conversations, mindfulness, resilience, and, of course, optimism.

Read a book. Lead with inspiration.

SLA in partnership with Muncie Public Library is offering a unique quarterly gathering, highlighting important take-aways from inspirational leadership books. At each event, facilitators will share key leadership development lessons from leadership-focused books. This is not a book club, rather a guided discussion around the key takeaways from each book.

Prior reading of the book is not required but we encourage participants to share about what they learned and check-out one of the books from Muncie Public Library. All participants attending will be entered in a raffle to win a digital copy of one of the books discussed.

All sessions are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

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