Leadership Development

TinaMaria Fernandez presents on welcoming newcomers to communities at the 2025 CEC conference in North Platte, Neb. Photo by Russell Shaffer

Intro

The Community Leadership Development team helps rural Nebraskans grow as leaders and make a difference in their hometowns. Through hands-on trainings, local workshops and statewide events, we give you the tools and confidence to step up, work together, and keep your community strong for the next generation. If you have goals for your town, we can help you build a program that fits. Look below to see what we offer.

Trainings for Personal Leadership Skill-Building

ACTIVE LISTENING

Examine the importance of listening, and build active listening skills.

CLIFTON STRENGTHS

Through this Gallup assessment and coaching, discover what you naturally do best, learn how to develop your greatest talents into strengths, and use your personalized results to maximize your potential. 

*Content is proprietary.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Identify conflict styles and use practical strategies to manage conflicts effectively.

DATA: FINDING AND USING

Use All Things Nebraska and other data sources to understand your community.

EMPATHY

Examine the impact of empathy on interpersonal relationships.

PSYCAP

Apply Positive Psychological Capacities (hope, efficacy/confidence, resilience, and optimism).

Government/Nonprofit Leadership Trainings

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Learn and apply community engagement strategies.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Identify conflict styles and use practical strategies to manage conflicts effectively.

DATA: FINDING AND USING

Use All Things Nebraska and other data sources to understand your community.

GROUP AND TEAM DYNAMICS

Master team dynamics to improve performance (including communication, shared goals, trust, collaboration, and conflict resolution).

LEADING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

Learn about parliamentary procedure and public engagement during meetings.

NEBRASKA OPEN MEETINGS ACT

Learn about the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.

SOCIOCRACY

Examine a peer governance system of decision making based on consent and collaboration.

SYNERGY STRATEGY

Build synergy on a team using a strengths-based approach.

YOUTH/ADULT PARTNERSHIPS

Learn to collaborate with youth by sharing power and decision-making responsibilities.

Workforce Development Leadership Trainings

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Identify conflict styles and use practical strategies to manage conflicts effectively.

GROUP AND TEAM DYNAMICS

Master team dynamics to improve performance (including communication, shared goals, trust, collaboration, and conflict resolution).

SYNERGY STRATEGY

Build synergy on a team using a strengths-based approach.

Ways RPN Can Help Facilitate Community Projects

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY

Collaborate by focusing on strengths and possibilities to create a positive future.

COMMUNITY CAPITALS

Learn about a high-level overview of community capitals.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Learn community engagement strategies and application.

COMMUNITY READINESS

Understand the readiness of communities to address change.

DATA: FINDING AND USING

Use All Things Nebraska and other data sources to understand your community.

LEADERSHIP THEORY

Work with your community/group to discover which leadership theory is most applicable to your situation, and use that leadership theory to move forward.

SOCIAL CAPITAL

Understand the importance of building social capital to address complex changes.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Define your organization's direction, set goals, and allocate resources to achieve those goals.

VISIONING

Collaborate to plan where your and other community members envision their future, and plan how to achieve it.

YOUTH/ADULT PARTNERSHIPS

Learn to collaborate with youth by sharing power and decision-making responsibilities.

Research Findings on Community Leadership

TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Research results from a study examining rural leadership transfer.

Fees

*Fees for leadership development services are dependent on training length, location, and trainer availability.

Contact Us

JAMIE BRIGHT

RPN Extension Educator
308-254-4455
jamie.bright@unl.edu

LINDSAY HASTINGS

Professor of Leadership
402-472-3477
lhastings2@unl.edu