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Lead 4 Success™

Leadership isn't just defined by the job title. It's about developing the perspective, skills and personal style to get results that matter.

Northwestern’s Leadership Program: Lead 4 Success™ offered in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership,  gives individual contributors the necessary tools to excel in their current role and prepare for future roles at the University. 

The learning experience is focused on developing The Fundamental 4 skills (self-awareness, learning agility, influence and communication) that leaders at any level need to master for success.

The teaching model is built on the premise that leadership is not defined by one’s job title, that leadership is a process rather than a person, and that whether or not one is a formal leader, one is engaged in the process of leadership.

Using CCL’s time tested approach to leadership development we incorporate:

The Fundamental 4:  there are four core skills that are important for every leader at every level. The Center for Creative Leadership calls them the Fundamental 4: self-awareness, learning agility, influence, and communication. The Fundamental 4 have endured the test of time and are the basis for the Lead 4 Success™ program, where participants immerse themselves in development, adapt these skills to their own leadership contexts, participate with peers in learning, and share ideas to apply to their leadership lessons to their real world.

Program goals

During the program participants will learn in a hybrid modality, using in-person and virtual experiential collaborative team activities to build self-awareness, learning agility, influence and communication.

By applying the lessons from Lead 4 Success™ participants will increase their ability to:

  • Stretch outside of established comfort zones to work with others, solve problems, and drive results.
  • Apply a range of techniques to influence others, often over whom you have no authority, and immediately impact workplace challenges.
  • Accomplish high-quality work faster through relationships and collaboration.
  • Gain a more accurate picture of their leadership abilities.

Program audience and eligibility criteria

The Lead 4 Success™ program is intended primarily for staff members, individual contributors with no direct reports – who are in influential roles or lead key projects and are ready to step up their leadership.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

  • Be a regular staff employee (non-exempt, exempt) at any of Northwestern’s six campuses: Chicago, Evanston, Qatar, Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C.
  • Be an Individual Contributor with no direct reports.
  • Have completed one year of service to the University, as of program start date.
  • Have an "Achieving" performance rating or higher.
  • Commit to actively mentor other employees in future employee development programs.
  • Commit to attending the program fully. 
  • Complete a program application.
  • Receive a sponsorship form from their supervisor.

Program selection

Staff members who submit an application and secure their supervisor's sponsorship will be eligible for consideration in the program. Applicants are selected by a committee of University staff members in leadership roles. Eligibility criteria apply.

The selection committee seeks diversity based on geography, function, gender, ethnicity, and school/unit. Particular attention is given to candidates' personal statements. Two cohorts comprised of 48 candidates each will be selected to attend the program.

Participation in the Lead 4 Success™ program is for the purpose of professional development in a current role. While it prepares staff for future roles, it is not intended to set an expectation for immediate or future advancement.

Program dates

Cohort 1 

  • Day 1 -  July 17, 2023 | 8:00am-5:00pm | In person - Chicago campus
  • Day 2 - July 18, 2023 | 8:00am-5:00pm | In person - Chicago campus

Cohort 2

  • Day 1 -  July 19, 2023 | 8:00am-5:00pm | In person - Chicago campus
  • Day 2 - July 20, 2023 | 8:00pm-5:00pm | In person - Chicago campus

For candidates: application link

Applications for the 2023 program will be accepted through May 19, 2023.

Thank you for your interest in this program! The application consists of a few questions to establish eligibility and the following two essay questions.

  1. Why are you interested in this professional development opportunity? (250 word limit)
  2. Explain how participation in the program will benefit your work, including a description of one or more significant challenges you would like to explore during the program. (250 word limit)

In addition to submitting an application, your supervisor must complete a sponsorship form by May 26, 2023. The sponsorship form link is under the For Supervisors drop-down menu.

A selection committee is convened to review applications and to select two cohorts this year, each comprised of 48 participants. Participants will be notified of a decision via email in mid-June.

Navigate to Qualtrics to complete the LEAD 4 SUCCESS™ PROGRAM APPLICATION

If you would like further information please contact us: workplace-learning@northwestern.edu

Note: This workshop is normally offered at a cost of more than $2,000 per participant. Northwestern's investment in leadership development has made it possible to offer Lead 4 Success™ at no charge to Northwestern employees.

For supervisors: sponsorship link

Sponsorship forms will be accepted through May 26, 2023.

Thank you for supporting your staff member's leadership development path. Please complete a separate sponsorship form for each staff member applying to the program. The form consists of a few eligibility verification and program readiness questions.

Navigate to Qualtrics to complete the SPONSORSHIP FORM

If you would like further information please contact us: workplace-learning@northwestern.edu

Note: This workshop is normally offered at a cost of more than $2,000 per participant. Northwestern's investment in leadership development has made it possible to offer Lead 4 Success™ at no charge to Northwestern employees.