Tomorrow Talks | Courage to Lead: Building Brave Workplace Cultures

As we prepare for the 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival (April 22–26, 2026), whose theme is COURAGE, the Tomorrow Talk series invites us to explore what courage looks like—in our personal lives, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our society.

Learning to Lead with Courage is a master class for organizational leaders committed to building cultures of integrity, honesty, and accountability. While senior leaders often value candor and innovation, many organizations still struggle with silence and risk-avoidance—not because of poor intentions, but because power, incentives, and unspoken signals shape what people feel safe saying and doing. Drawing on decades of research, Jim Detert explores the structural and psychological dynamics that influence whether employees speak up or stay silent, and how leadership behaviors and decision processes affect ethical outcomes and long-term performance.

This master class moves beyond diagnosis to provide practical, research-grounded frameworks leaders can use to strengthen courage in their organizations. Participants will examine how leaders may unintentionally discourage candor, how to design environments that lower the personal cost of speaking up, and how to respond productively to dissent or bad news. Designed for executives, founders, and senior leaders, the session focuses on building durable cultures of trust, learning, and accountability—where honest dialogue improves decisions and organizations are better equipped to navigate complexity and change.

/// TICKETS ///

This Master Class is designed for senior leaders and organizations seeking deeper insight and practical strategies. General admission tickets are $50.00, and $25.00 tickets are available for Innovation Summit Badge Holders. Tomorrow Society Members receive a 25% discount.

/// ABOUT TOMORROW TALKS ///

The Tomorrow Talks are a year-long series that picks up critical themes from our April Festival and continues the conversations to create impact in Charlottesville. Each session is facilitated with an emphasis on participation, connection, and new collaborations.  Tomorrow Talks begin with a connection exercise or meditation, and proceed into a presentation and breakout activities. They aim to impart knowledge that is practical and relevant to people's lived experience; combining academic or theoretical insights, alongside pragmatic tools, and experiential and somatic learnings

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Host or Publisher Tom Tom Foundation