Art of Leadership Online

The Art of Leadership is the entry point to Rockwood’s training programs—and it’s now available online. Our Art of Leadership Online training brings together a multi-racial, multi-generational, cross-issue group of leaders to explore six leadership practices that can serve as the basis for a lifetime of growth. We use a framework rooted in an analysis of power, including race, gender, and class, to equip progressive leaders who want to enrich, enliven, and evolve social justice movements.

In an online setting, the training blends various modalities to allow you to engage with your own inner wisdom, the material, and with other leaders. It includes live facilitation via Zoom, self-paced work like personal journaling/reflection and solo reading, and pair/small group work to connect and build community with those in your cohort.

Like all of our programs, the Art of Leadership Online is grounded in our theory of transformation. We believe that leaders develop by engaging in the practices that bring about personal transformation, grounded in right relationship in a supportive community, thus transforming the individual and by extension the movement. 

Purpose & Outcomes

The Art of Leadership Online’s purpose is to strengthen your leadership so that you can create more effective, sustainable, and humane lives and organizations.

During the 5-day program, you’ll draw from your personal identity and experiences to:

• Connect with and step into your individual purpose and vision 

• Examine and overcome obstacles to your leadership and gain insights as to the impact of your leadership on others

• Learn tangible tools that increase the effectiveness of your leadership, including your listening, speaking, presentation, coaching, team-building, and feedback skills.  

We also know the beautiful struggle that you experience while working for progressive social change. We designed the curriculum to support leaders in challenging times by:

• Increasing your resourcefulness in the face of challenges

• Learning skills to lead from a healthy and sustainable approach

• Building relationships that will support you for a lifetime of activism.

The Art of Leadership Online combines deep personal reflection and practical skills building to support emerging and established leaders seeking personal transformation in the service of justice and equity. Beginning in 2020 as a response to the pandemic, we adapted and updated the long-standing Art of Leadership curriculum to create a more accessible option for our training. 

Each day, you’ll devote 6-7 hours to this training. That includes:

• 4.5-5 hours of live virtual sessions with a cohort of 30-40 leaders and 1-2 trainers.

• 1-2 hours of reflective work outside of live sessions, including videos, short readings, journaling, reflection, and connecting with cohort peers.

• Breaks

Rockwood’s 6 Leadership Practices structure the Art of Leadership Online curriculum:

• PURPOSE: To live and lead from that which gives our life meaning

• VISION: To create and articulate a clear and compelling picture of our desired future

• PARTNERSHIP: To build and maintain strong interdependent relationships that advance our vision

• RESILIENCE: To shift from reactivity to a state of resourcefulness in moments of stress and crisis

• PERFORMANCE: To enhance our capacity to produce results that further our vision

• PERSONAL ECOLOGY: To maintain balance, pacing, and efficiency to sustain our energy over a lifetime

Skilled trainers lead each program. Rockwood’s trainers are steeped in leadership and organizational development work, and they’re experienced coaches and facilitators. Trainers and leaders co-create each online training space to honor your group’s specific needs and set expectations for things like bio breaks, being off-screen, and exercises to move your body. 

The Art of Leadership Online is not a solo experience—even when we’re not together in person. You and your fellow participants represent a microcosm of the social change world and bring a range of experiences, expertise, and perspectives. Through the Art of Leadership Online, you’ll connect with leaders working on social change issues that range from reproductive to economic to environmental justice. The cohort will be a source of support during the training and a lasting professional network as participants return to their communities. 

Is this the right program for me?

The Art of Leadership Online makes Rockwood’s foundational training program available from wherever you are. If you haven’t participated in a Rockwood training program, this is probably the right place to start your leadership journey. There are no prerequisites.

This online option is ideal for you if:

• Travel is challenging or you simply prefer your own space

• You have caregiving responsibilities that make it difficult to be away

• You have challenges with mobility

• You prefer a shorter day of training

• You’re looking for a less expensive option to experience a Rockwood training.

Rockwood works primarily with social justice leaders and communities at the margins, and we’re committed to investing in leaders who are women and non-binary people, Black and Indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTGIA+ people. We know that leadership is not simply a title or a role—everyone can lead, and the ability to inspire and align others is essential in every role, and at every level.

We’re experimenting with bilingual trainings and ASL interpretation so that more people can bring their full selves to the Art of Leadership Online. 

Note*** An important component of the Art of Leadership is the 360 Leadership Survey. Upon acceptance into the program participants will be emailed a link to begin their survey. For more information about the value of this survey, check out our 360 Survey Support Resource and 360 FAQs.

Do you have questions about whether this training would fit your needs? Review our FAQ page, email us at training@rockwoodleadership.org, or schedule a 15-minute phone call with our Program Operations Manager.

The Art of Leadership Online is our most economical program offering. Rockwood uses a sliding scale structure to ensure that our programs are accessible to social justice leaders and communities at the margins, specifically Black, Indigenous, Latinx, API/A, low-income, undocumented, disabled, LGBQTI+, and rural-based communities. For additional information, please visit our Fees & Policies page.