Module 1

Foundations of Leadership

Establishing Leader Identity & Leadership Mindset

 Level: Foundational (Entry-Level)

CEUs: 0.15

 Session Description

This session establishes the foundation for leadership effectiveness by helping participants define their leadership identity, values, and mindset. Participants will explore the difference between positional authority and leadership influence, while developing clarity around how their beliefs, decision-making patterns, and locus of control shape their leadership behavior. The session introduces practical tools for delegation, ownership, and accountability to support early leadership success.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Define core leadership principles and differentiate leadership from positional authority.
• Explain how leadership identity, values, and beliefs influence delegation, empowerment, and decision-making behaviors.
• Apply a delegation framework to clarify ownership, decision rights, and accountability within their teams.
• Analyze how internal vs. external locus of control influences leadership effectiveness and resilience.
• Develop a personal leadership philosophy and action plan to guide future leadership behavior.

Core Frameworks & Models

■ Growth Mindset 
■ Leader Identity Development Model
■ Internal vs External Locus of Control
■ Delegation Framework (Situational Delegation)
■ Leadership Influence vs Authority Model

Practical Tools

■ Leadership Values Mapping Exercise
■ Delegation Clarity Tool
■ Ownership vs Control Decision Grid
■ Personal Leadership Philosophy Worksheet

Live Session Activities

■ Leadership identity reflection
■ Delegation scenario exercise
■ *Case study: "Promoted without leadership training"

Asynchronous Learning

The purpose of this month’s asynchronous learning assignment is to deepen self-awareness and begin translating leadership concepts into real-world leadership behaviors.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:
■ Articulate a clear personal leadership philosophy
■ Demonstrate intentional delegation in a real scenario
■ Increase awareness of how mindset influences leadership effectiveness
■ Begin building a repeatable leadership practice habit Reflection Exercise
• Leadership identity journal prompt:
“What kind of leader do I want to become?”

Asynchronous Learning

Throughout the six-month AAA LEAP Leadership Development Series, asynchronous learning activities will extend learning beyond the live sessions and provide opportunities to reflect, apply, and practice leadership concepts in your day-to-day work. These activities are designed to reinforce key concepts and encourage continued leadership growth between sessions.

Session 1 Foundations of Leadership

1. Watch & Reflect: Leader vs. Manager – Simon Sinek Watch the assigned Leader vs. Manager video. As you watch, consider the distinction between managing work and leading people and how both show up in your professional role.

Reflection:

• What is one key insight from the video?
• Where do you see yourself operating more as a manager versus a leader?
• How can you strengthen your leadership influence beyond your formal role or title?

This connects to Session 1's exploration of leadership influence versus positional authority, including the role of trust, credibility, and relationships.

2. Create | Leadership Growth Action Plan Begin your Leadership Growth Action Plan, which you will continue to revisit throughout the LEAP series.

Using your Session 1 learning and reflection, identify:

• Leadership Growth Goal: What is one area of your leadership you want to strengthen?
• Action: What specific leadership behavior will you practice?
• Application: Where or when will you practice it?
• Impact: What will you observe or hear that demonstrates progress?
• Next Step: What will you continue, stop, or adjust based on what you learn?

This aligns directly on Session 1's closing emphasis on developing a personal leadership philosophy, intentionally practicing a leadership behavior, and carrying that commitment forward through the Leadership Growth Action Plan.

The goal is not simply to learn about leadership, but to practice it.