2025 Watauga Leadership Institute - Encore
Watauga Leadership Challenge
Invest in your continued professional development by attending Encore, a course offered through the Watauga Leadership Institute, designed to further advance your personal leadership journey.
This cohort-style course offers attendees the opportunity to expand their leadership knowledge, mindset, and skills. Each two-hour session will examine a specialty topic that builds off the core elements of the Watauga Leadership Institute curriculum, while encouraging the self-renewal of your guiding leadership principles.
2025 Encore Program and Topics:
Leading Through Crisis
Thursday, September 18
9:00-12:00PM (Extended time to allow for meeting your cohort)
It is rare for every citizen of a community to face a crisis at the same time, but that is what happens when disaster strikes. All of Western North Carolina experienced loss, confusion, and uncertainty after September 27, 2024. As we approach the one-year anniversary of the storm, we will examine some of the hardships but most importantly, the leaders, both expected and unexpected, who emerged to help our community through this crisis.
Leading Through Change
Thursday, October 23
9:00-11:00AM
At the end of Harry Potter and “The Goblet of Fire,” Harry stated, “Time will not slow down when something unpleasant lies ahead.” However, change doesn’t always have to be unpleasant, especially considering how constant it is. In this session, we will focus on navigating transition with clarity and confidence. We will learn practical strategies for leading teams through uncertainty, and learn communication techniques that foster trust.
Mental Health and Burnout Prevention
Thursday, November 20
9:00-11:00AM
The High Country’s seasonal economy means workers can experience intense periods of high demands and deadlines (we see you ski workers, CPA’s, and tourism workers!). This important session will help leaders recognize the signs of burnout in themselves and others, while building strategies to support mental well-being in the workplace. Through guided discussion and practical tools, participants will explore stress management techniques, healthy boundaries, and the importance of self-care. The session also emphasizes how leadership plays a key role in creating a culture of support, balance, and open dialogue around mental health.
Acknowledgement and Celebration in Leadership
Thursday, December 11
9:00-11:00AM
The final session in our Encore Leadership Series addresses explores the power of recognition in building strong, motivated teams. Good organizational culture is sought after by every group, and we will learn how intentional acknowledgement and meaningful celebration can boost morale and enhance team culture. We will conclude our discussion with achievable and practical ways to make people feel valued and appreciated.
Program Details
Cost: $395 for each participant, which includes all course materials and instruction. Light refreshments will be provided each day. All classes will be held from 9:00AM-11:00AM in the conference room at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 579 Greenway Rd, Suite 101 in Boone.
Alumni of previous Watauga Leadership Institute cohorts received a promo code good for a $100 early-bird discount by registering prior to August 29th at 4:30PM. If you did not receive your code, please e-mail ethan@boonechamber.com with your updated contact information.
Not a Watauga Leadership Institute alumnus?
Encore provides an example of what’s to come in the Spring 2026 Watauga Leadership Challenge and Watauga Leadership Development courses. New participants will receive a non-transferable $100 discount on a future full-length Watauga Leadership Institute course.
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2025 Watauga Leadership Institute - Encore