Effective Leadership in Action 2026 Series 1

Spring Training

Are you ready to elevate your leadership skills? Are you an employer looking to support your staff in their professional development?

This three-session leadership foundation class will feature relevant leadership topics in today’s workplace to help you maximize your potential and advance your team to success. Develop your communication, collaboration and leadership skills by learning from the experts and local leaders through interactive sessions and discussions. Network and engage with other professionals. Successful completers will receive a certificate of completion from Wor-Wic Community College.

Session 1: Situational Leadership--Adapting Your Style for Success

Thursday, Feb. 5th; 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Meets ½ hour earlier on the first session) at Wor-Wic Community College, Room FOH200

Led by Kevin Hughes, Founder of Chesapeake Learning and Development

Lead Smarter. Inspire More.

Adaptable leaders create stronger teams, reduce resistance, and achieve better outcomes. Based off the tenets of industry giant Ken Blanchard Companies, you’ll find that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leading. Situational Leadership empowers you to adapt your leadership style to meet your team's needs and the demands of any situation. Whether you’re guiding a new employee, managing a seasoned team, or navigating a project, this course gives you the tools to lead with flexibility and confidence.

What You Will Learn:

• Set SMART Goals: Create clear, actionable goals that drive performance.

• Assess Team Readiness: Identify the development level of your team members and match your approach.

• Understand Leadership Styles: Learn the four core leadership styles and when to use them.

• Offer the Right Direction and Support: Discover how to provide the direction and encouragement your colleagues need to succeed.

• Become a Versatile Leader: Adapt your approach to inspire confidence and deliver results.

Instructor: Kevin Hughes founded Chesapeake Learning & Development in 2023. He has more than 25 years of experience in the learning and development field, working with a wide variety of organizations and industries. Kevin is adept at collaborating with leadership to ensure all levels of employees get what they need to grow professionally. Kevin is certified in several training courses, including DISC, Situational Leadership Experience, Self-Leadership, and Targeted Selection (Behavioral Interviewing). He is a Harrison Assessments coach. In addition to these certifications, he has built and facilitated training programs on effective communications, giving and receiving feedback, personal brand, customer service, and more. Holding a B.S. from Towson University in Baltimore, Kevin majored in Mass Communications and minored in Music Performance. He lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Session 2: Leading Through Change

Thursday, Feb. 19th ; 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Wor-Wic Community College, Room FOH200

Led by Steve Grem, Leadership Consultant, former CEO

Embrace Change. Lead with Confidence.
Change isn’t just inevitable—it’s an opportunity for growth. How you lead through change determines whether your team thrives or struggles. This dynamic session will help you move beyond simply managing change to creating a culture of acceptance and adoption. You’ll gain practical tools and strategies to prepare yourself and your team for success during times of transition. Learn how to lead confidently, minimize disruption and turn change into a catalyst for success!

What You’ll Learn:

• Boost Your Readiness: Prepare mentally and emotionally for upcoming changes.
• Lead with Impact: Inspire and equip your team with tools to navigate uncertainty.
• Reduce Resistance: Address fears and concerns that hold people back.

Instructor: Steve Grem is a results-focused leader with many decades of experience in Human Capital Management and Servant Leadership. He has a proven track record of leading organizational transformation, optimizing operations, and building high-performing teams that produce measurable growth. Steve recently retired as CEO of an HCM Consulting business that first transitioned from an entrepreneur owner to a 100% ESOP and the second transition was through the acquisition of a major Assurance, Tax & Consulting firm. Previously, through several positions and many initiatives, he led and managed several organizational changes of HCM systems inclusive of selection, implementation and deployment, driving internal & external efficiencies across platforms with a focus on employee engagement and positive employee experience. Steve always fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration with a dedication to empowering people to achieve their full potential. Steve is an Independent Consultant who provides consulting support, advice and strategic guidance to help develop leadership and management skills and to effectively leverage Human Capital Management practices. Specialties include Human Capital Management technology solutions, Leadership development, organization transformation, and customer-centric operations.

Session 3: Putting Emotional Intelligence into ACTION as a Leader

Thursday, March 5th ; 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Wor-Wic Community College, Room FOH200

Led by Amy Rodeffer Thompson, President/CEO, OC MD Chamber of Commerce

Motivate. Appreciate. Lead with Impact.

Emotional Intelligence isn’t just a concept—it’s a leadership superpower when put into action. Leaders who understand and apply Emotional Intelligence create stronger relationships, higher engagement, and better results. This session gives you the tools to lead with empathy and effectiveness—turning appreciation into a powerful motivator. By understanding what drives people and how to communicate effectively, you’ll create a positive team climate that boosts collaboration and performance.

What You Will Learn:

• Discover the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Learn how to recognize and value contributions in ways that truly resonate.
• Strengthen Communication & Motivation Skills: Apply Emotional Intelligence principles to connect authentically and inspire action.
• Adapt Your Leadership Style: Identify individual and team needs, then tailor your approach for maximum impact.
• Build Practical Strategies: Improve team climate, foster collaboration, and drive performance through actionable techniques.

Instructor: Amy Rodeffer Thompson describes herself as a “Practical Optimist” who loves to build up resilient leaders so they can get things done. She brings a light-hearted approach to coaching and training, focusing on real-world fundamentals that help make work easier and more joyful. Amy has an extensive background in both corporate and nonprofit spaces. She has experience managing multi-functional teams to successfully deliver products to market, managing volunteers to exceed goals, guiding clients to effectively use technology solutions, and training & developing sales leaders.

In her current role leading the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, she walks the walk, setting strategic direction for her organization, while navigating the unique waters of a membership-based non-profit serving the business community in which she liv

$105 for 3 sessions; includes lunch

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Eastern Shore Leadership Institutue