Many Emerging Leaders excel technically and are promoted because they are strong performers – but continued growth requires understanding how the business works beyond their own and their team’s individual roles. As leaders grow, they are expected to understand their organization’s priorities, budgets, competing demands, and how their team’s work supports overall success. This session will help participants build foundational business acumen by learning how departments in organizations connect, how decisions impact results, and how to think beyond day-to-day tasks. Leaders should leave with a stronger understanding of how the business functions as a whole; practical ways to think beyond their own team; better decision-making awareness; and increased confidence in conversations with higher leadership.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Contribute to the participant’s understanding of what business acumen means for Emerging Leaders, including the relationship of strategy, priorities, resources, and business results.
2. Understand how the participant’s team connects to other departments and functions in the broader organizational context and, together with other business units, achieves the organization’s business goals.  
3. Examine how everyday team leader decisions impact other teams and the organization’s overall business outcomes.
4. Differentiate between task thinking and leadership thinking, and organizational awareness that enhances decision-making, judgment, and confidence.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:  Business Acumen & Business Judgment;  Excellence in Results Through Others; Sets Vision & Direction; Effective Communication with All Levels