Leadership, Communications, and Innovation Workshop

This workshop is designed with flexibility and can be delivered as a full-day session, two 3-hour remote webinars, or a 3.5-hour abbreviated version. All formats cover the same core topics and learning objectives; however, the full-day session allows for deeper exploration, expanded discussion, and additional hands-on application, while the shorter format provides a more focused, high-level experience.

Participants will explore how leadership behaviors shape culture and outcomes, apply structured approaches to leading change, and develop communication strategies that enhance clarity, alignment, and engagement. Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, the session introduces tools for continuous improvement and innovation, enabling participants to lead teams more effectively and respond to evolving public health challenges with intention and impact.

• Leadership self-awareness and its impact on organizational culture
• Leadership styles (autocratic, participative, delegative, situational) and when to apply them
• Common leadership gaps that affect team performance and accountability
• Leading change with purpose, including barriers to change and strategies to address resistance
• Application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle for continuous improvement
• The role of communication in leadership and organizational success
• Common communication challenges and strategies to improve clarity, consistency, and engagement
• Structured communication approaches, including the 27-9-3 messaging framework
• Strategic communication planning (message development, channel selection, and evaluation)
• Building high-performing teams using frameworks such as the Rocket Model
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement and quality improvement (QI)
• Understanding innovation in public health and key drivers (e.g., workforce, technology, equity, funding)
• Innovation tools, including brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, and reverse brainstorming
• Moving from ideas to action using feasibility, impact, and cost considerations
• Interactive exercises and facilitated discussions to apply concepts in real-time

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Assess and adapt their leadership approach by applying self-awareness and selecting appropriate leadership styles based on team needs and organizational context
• Apply structured strategies to lead change effectively, including use of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and techniques to address resistance and improve implementation success
• Develop and deliver clear, strategic communication that aligns teams, improves engagement, and supports organizational goals using evidence-based frameworks (e.g., 27-9-3 messaging)
• Strengthen team performance and culture by identifying key drivers of high-performing teams, including mission clarity, roles, norms, and accountability
• Utilize practical innovation and problem-solving tools (e.g., brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER) to generate, prioritize, and implement actionable solutions in public health settings