Art of Leadership

The Art of Leadership is your entry point to Rockwood’s training programs. Our Art of Leadership trainings bring 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.

Like all of our programs, the Art of Leadership 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. You can read more about Rockwood’s guiding principles and vision in our strategic plan.

Purpose & Outcomes

The Art of Leadership’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 combines deep personal reflection and practical skills building to support emerging and established leaders seeking personal transformation in the service of justice and equity. The program incorporates multiple learning practices including group exercises, individual study, and somatic mindfulness. 

Rockwood’s 6 Leadership Practices structure the Art of Leadership 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 are experienced coaches and facilitators. Your trainers create a brave space for hard, introspective conversations to take place and deep relationships to form among participants.  

The Art of Leadership is not a solo experience—you and your fellow participants represent a microcosm of the social change world outside. Participants in each cohort bring a range of experiences, expertise, and perspectives, and through the Art of Leadership, 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. 

To create the conditions for a transformational experience, the in-person Art of Leadership programs take place in residential settings. Participants spend the week on-site with lodging, meals, and snacks coordinated by Rockwood and included in the program pricing. 

Is this the right program for me?

The Art of Leadership is Rockwood’s most widely attended training. 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.

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.

Other considerations:

• Is travel difficult? Consider the Art of Leadership Online. Since 2020, Rockwood has developed a virtual Art of Leadership program. It draws from the same curriculum, and offers a more accessible option. You might consider the virtual Art of Leadership if travel is challenging or caregiving responsibilities make it difficult to be away for a week.

• Looking for a cohort of leaders more like you? We might have an affinity-based program for you.: The Art of Leadership curriculum can be particularly powerful when your cohort shares an identity or common experience. Rockwood offers the Heart of Leadership for Black leaders, and AOLs for leaders of color and women and femmes of color. We also provide a dedicated Art of Leadership program for philanthropic leaders and other public programs for white leaders who want to grow their leadership for race equity and for all leaders learning to navigate change.

• Have you been invited to apply? You might be looking for a partner program. Rockwood works with partner organizations to make the Art of Leadership available to curated cohorts based on specific issues or philanthropic relationships. If you’ve been invited to apply for a specific cohort, email training@rockwoodleadership.org rather than applying for an upcoming Art of Leadership that is open to the public.

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!

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.