Inclusively Building Mid-Level Talent

Equip tech and business skilled professionals with ready-to-use tactics and tools to effectively manage both projects and people.

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Leadership Academy Overview

This cohort-based learning program focuses on providing people managers, project managers, and those aspiring to manage people and projects with skills in key management and professional areas, including:

• communication and collaboration
• project management
• employee lifecycle management
• employee engagement
• financial acumen
• diversity, equity, inclusion
• practical skills application

TechPoint Leadership Academy delivers curriculum via eight (8) in-person all-day sessions, which are held at TechPoint and The AMP at the 16 Tech Innovation District near downtown Indianapolis.

A typical session will feature training sessions and discussion panels in the morning, and project work, mentoring, and coaching in the afternoon.

Building Diverse Tech Leadership

Is your organization frequently challenged when it comes to retaining and advancing mid-level talent–especially diverse talent?ﾠ Our program benefits the Indiana tech ecosystem by increasing the leadership capacity of mid-managers with an emphasis on individuals from underrepresented communities.ﾠ

In-Person Networking.

Participants will network in-person and build relationships with both our experienced session facilitators and each other.ﾠ

Esteemed Mentors.

Participants will network with diverse panelists and speakers who will share real-life experiences, management approaches, and solutions from their deep experience working in tech and tech-enabled organizations.

Hands-On Projects.

Participants will bring a real-life, work-related professional development project to complete throughout the program, culminating in a capstone presentation to the cohort.

Personal Coaching.

Participants will receive coaching and mentoring support for their development project via afternoon sessions focused on projects and participant-identified topics.

As we work together - individually and organizationally - to advance Indiana’s tech economy and workforce for the future, it is critical that we operate with dedication and intentionality to ensure opportunity is accessible and available for all Hoosiers. TechPoint is committed to undertaking the continual learning, self-reflection, and adaptation necessary to provide the long-term leadership for our ecosystem to fully address inequity, embrace diversity, model inclusion, and foster belonging for all.

-TechPoint Diversity Statement

Learning Goals for Participants

Find Your “Why” and Lead Authentically

Differentiate between management and leadership
Build self-knowledge via tools and self-reflection; and, learn how to work effectively with others
Build confidence in management abilities and conquer self-doubt
Learn and practice effective time management and prioritization skills
Practice strategies for self-care, personal health, and well-being

Communication, Collaboration, and Project Management

Learn to cast a vision and gain buy-in from a team and other stakeholders
Learn and practice communication techniques for difficult conversations
Learn the language of technology and the language of business and how to translate between the two
Learn strategies for building and maintaining positive relationships with leaders and peers, especially when conflicts arise
Analyze the benefits of different project management approaches and learn best practices to ensure project success
Practice effective presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills Embrace the power of networking

Management and Leadership

Learn what an emotionally intelligent leader looks like and practice strategies for leading with emotional intelligenceﾠ
Effectively manage a team budget and headcount
Learn how to hire the right talent for a team
Effectively manage performance throughout the employee lifecycle
Learn how to build and foster an inclusive environment where all voices are welcomed and heard
Learn techniques for effectively managing remote employees
Learn techniques for building engagement, creativity, and innovation on a team

2023 Cohort Schedule

LAUNCH! Day 1 - Sept 14

Introductions / icebreakers
Self-reflection / find your “why”
Goal-setting for the program
Knowing yourself as a leader
Development of personal growth plan
Discussion of projects and professional project plan
Panel: Local leaders’ stories about their professional paths and lessons learned
Happy Hour: Program kick-off

Day 2 - Sept 28

Authentic self-confidence and conquering self-doubt
Power of “No”
Self-care, personal health and well being
Panel: Imposter syndrome, tips and tricks for prioritizing time, how to avoid “manager burnout,” taking time for self-care and project work time