Leader Collaboratory - Full Series

The Leader Collaboratory of New Ulm is an 8-part leadership series designed for managers, supervisors, shift leads, and everyday leaders who want more than a motivational talk—they want tools, clarity, and action.

Led by Ann Vote, a dynamic culture coach and speaker known for turning real-world challenges into practical, energizing solutions, each session offers fresh strategies, meaningful connection, and the kind of support that helps you lead with more confidence and impact—starting right where you are.

Sessions for the 2025-2026 Program will be held on the third Wednesday of the month:

September 17 | Personal Leadership: From Intention to Influence
October 15 | The Motivation Mindset
November 19 | Building Trust Through Communication
December 17 | Build a Culture People Want to Stay In
January 21 | Difficult Conversations Made Doable
February 18 | Mentor Mindset: Growing Others While You Lead
March 18 | Change Management 101
April 16 | Connect + Collaborate: Peer Learning Lab

Series Registration Closes September 5th 

💼 Collaboratory Series Participant

Best value & highest impact

Designed for leaders committed to consistent growth and connection. As a Series Participant, you’ll attend all 8 sessions and experience more than just the 2-hour training. One-time registration for the full series.

Includes:

• Full access to each session from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Early connection, repeat accountability & extended peer learning before and after training
• Deeper discussion, additional tools, and implementation support
• Reserved seating & a consistent network of fellow leaders
• The Leader Collaboratory Workbook

Ideal for leaders who want ongoing development, connection, and a strong return on investment.

Investment: Chamber Members – $640 // Non-Members – $740

The Leader Collaboratory of New Ulm: Session Breakdown

September 17 | Personal Leadership: From Intention to Influence

Topic: Foundational Leadership Skills
Focus: Discover what it means to lead with intention, clarity, and confidence. Participants will assess leadership strengths and current workplace culture. Walk away with practical tools to lead themselves and others more effectively.

Takeaway: Personal leadership audit, action steps to lead with purpose.
Outcomes: Improved self-awareness, practical leadership behaviors, long-term mindset shift.

October 15 | The Motivation Mindset

Topic: Employee Motivation & Engagement
Focus: Learn what truly motivates today’s workforce and how to use simple, effective strategies to increase engagement. Discover how to connect individual drivers to team goals so employees feel seen, valued, and inspired to bring their best each day.

Takeaways: Personnel evaluation, motivation checklist, engagement conversation starters.
Outcomes: Boosted morale, improved productivity, better team connection.

November 19 | Building Trust Through Communication

Topic: Communication & Feedback
Focus: Build communication habits that foster clarity, trust, and growth. Learn how to give and receive feedback in ways that build connection instead of tension. Discover how intentional communication can boost team morale, reduce misunderstandings, and create a culture where people feel heard and valued. 

Takeaways: Feedback script, communication clarity tool.
Outcomes: Better communication, stronger relationships, culture transformation.

December 17 | Build a Culture People Want to Stay In

Topic: Building Team Culture
Focus: Explore the building blocks of a thriving workplace culture. Learn how to lead with values and shape an environment where people feel they belong and want to stay. Discover how small, intentional actions by leaders at every level can create a ripple effect that strengthens connection, trust, and team pride.

Takeaways: Culture audit tool, 4-week action plan.
Outcomes: Improved team morale, culture transformation, better retention.

January 21 | Difficult Conversations Made Doable

Topic: Conflict Resolution
Focus: Gain confidence navigating tough conversations and resolving tensions before they escalate. This session helps leaders approach conflict with curiosity instead of fear, using clear frameworks that promote honesty, respect, and resolution. You’ll learn how to address issues directly—without defensiveness—so your team can move forward with greater trust and collaboration. 

Takeaways: Conflict response plan, conversation frameworks.
Outcomes: Healthier communication, reduced tension, stronger team dynamics.

February 18 | Mentor Mindset: Growing Others While You Lead

Topic: Mentorship and New Employee Growth
Focus: Embrace your everyday influence by mentoring others through intentional actions, conversations, and consistency. Participants will explore what it means to be a leader people want to follow, how to model the behaviors they want to see, and how to support growth in others through simple, powerful mentoring moments.

Whether you’re working with new hires, younger employees, or future leaders, this session helps you lead with purpose and shape a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.

Takeaways: Everyday Mentoring Moments toolkit, modeling self-reflection.
Outcomes: Long-term mindset, stronger internal pipeline, empowered teams.

March 18 | Change Management 101

Topic: Managing Change
Focus: Help teams navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence. Learn how to communicate change in ways that build buy-in and reduce resistance. You’ll explore the mindset and messaging leaders need to create stability in seasons of transition—and discover how to lead others with calm, clarity, and credibility. 

Takeaways: Change assessment, change styles tool.
Outcomes: Increased adaptability, reduced resistance, productive change management.

April 15 | Connect + Collaborate: Peer Learning Lab

Topic: Peer Networking & Support
Focus: This session offers guided group discussion, idea sharing, and troubleshooting among leaders from different organizations. You’ll gain insight from real-world experiences, learn new approaches to common challenges, and leave with a renewed sense of support and connection.

Takeaways: Peer problem-solving map, leadership support resources.
Outcomes: Peer connection, shared insight, fresh perspectives.

Click here for more information about the Leader Collaboratory!