What is the LEAD Program?

Prepare for Leadership Opportunities with Hands-On, Interactive Learning

This instructor-led program blends scenario-based discussions, an interactive digital whiteboard, and breakout sessions to build practical leadership skills in a collaborative environment.

Developed as part of the Future PLUS Advancement Initiative, the Leadership Excellence and Development Program (LEAD) prepares you to take on leadership opportunities, advance your career, and grow personally.

With many senior leaders retiring, the industry needs new leaders ready to step up, and LEAD is designed to build that pipeline.

Whether managing people, projects, or your next career move, LEAD equips you with core leadership skills to thrive.

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PLUS LEAD Program Impact at a Glance

  • “Participating in the LEAD Program has given me the practical tools and techniques needed to help advance in my career and become an effective leader. During the program, I was able to collaborate and network with others to strengthen our skills in communication, coaching, and conflict resolution. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to grow and strengthen their leadership qualities.”

    — Megan Black, Assistant Vice President- Private and Nonprofit Practice, Aon

  • “One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other professionals in the insurance industry. The program fostered a supportive, interactive environment where I could learn, practice new skills, and build confidence in my leadership abilities.

    I would highly recommend the PLUS LEAD Program to professionals at all levels, including those without formal leadership titles, because it reinforces that leadership can be demonstrated at every level of an organization.”

    —  Samantha Goolman, Senior Underwriter, Curi

Why LEAD?

Because the Future Needs You.

  • Tangible Leadership Skills: Learn from seasoned facilitators who bring leadership to life with real scenarios and proven techniques.
  • Collaborative Power: Engage in live, instructor-led sessions and group challenges with a small cohort of motivated peers. Build lasting relationships across roles, organizations, and time zones.
  • Digital Collaboration Tools: Work together using Miro, a hands-on, interactive digital whiteboard that brings leadership concepts to life in an interactive way.
  • Curated Resources That Stick: Take home a toolbox of assessments, templates, reading lists, and case studies to keep growing long after the program ends.

What's Included:

LEAD Program Benefits & Bonus Opportunities.

  • Progress You Can Show: Earn a certificate of completion and a personalized summary of leadership competencies to demonstrate your growth and impact.
  • Early Access to Facilitators: Get the chance to connect directly with instructors for specific questions or guidance throughout the program.
  • Program Details:
    • Six 90-minute interactive, virtual sessions plus up to 30 minutes per week for homework
    • Small group format for deeper connection and collaboration
  • Additional Networking: Cohort members are invited to connect in person at a special event for LEAD participants at the PLUS Conference. This event is optional; conference registration is extra, although Future PLUS members can utilize a 20% off discount using the code: FPEvents2026.

Who Should Attend?

Confident Leadership Starts Here.

Ideal for professionals with 4 to 7 years of experience in the professional liability industry and those moving into the next phase of their leadership journey. Open to both individual contributors and people managers looking to strengthen and elevate their leadership skills, the program welcomes professionals at a variety of career stages and is not limited to Future PLUS members.

You’ll build confidence, sharpen leadership skills, and gain tools to succeed now and in the future.

What You'll Gain

  • Practical techniques for delivering feedback and communicating with impact

  • Approaches for navigating conflict and handling tough conversations

  • Best practices from peers across the industry

  • A stronger sense of direction as you grow into leadership

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Inside the PLUS LEAD Program: Member Perspectives

Program Sessions

Foundations of Effective Leadership

Topics Include: Qualities of an Effective Leader, Emotional Intelligence, Building Trust, Leadership Skills Inventory, Empowering the Team, Setting Priorities, and Managing Your Time

Communications & Relationship Management

Topics Include: Communication Styles and Preferences, Relationship Myths, Stakeholder Management, Leading Projects, and Meetings

Coaching to Performance Outcomes

Topics Include: Coaching to Results, Delivering Feedback, Goal Setting, Empowering the Team, Performance Management

Difficult Conversations & Conflict Resolution

Topics Include: Challenging Situations, Team Dynamics, Types of Conflict, Key Steps for Managing Conflict

Talent Strategies

Topics Include: Talent Recruitment, Interviewing, Multi-Generations in the Workforce, Retaining Talent, Intro to Succession Planning 

Strategic Influence: Managing Up, Across, and Ahead

Topics Include: Strategic Influence, Building Trust with Leaders, Peer Level Collaboration, Stakeholder Mapping, and Engagement

2026 Summer Cohort Registration Now Open

Register now and build the leadership foundation your future deserves.

Can't attend the summer cohort? Fall registration is open below!
Fall: September 23 - October 28, 2026 →

Join Summer 2026