Leadership Labs

Story-Driven Trainings for Teams That Want to Grow Together

Leadership Labs are experiential trainings designed to help teams build trust, deepen communication, and lead with authenticity. Through the lens of storytelling, we guide your group toward clarity, cohesion, and a stronger sense of shared purpose.

Whether you're welcoming new staff, navigating change, or ready to reconnect to your mission—Leadership Labs offer the space, tools, and facilitation to move forward together.

Why Story?

Story is one of the most powerful tools we have for making meaning, building connection, and leading with heart.
When teams learn to reflect, listen, and lead through story, they become more resilient, collaborative, and mission-aligned.

We don’t teach “soft skills.” We cultivate real ones—empathy, clarity, strategic thinking, and grounded communication—by practicing them in story-centered space.

Who It’s For

  • Nonprofit teams

  • Community organizers

  • Educators and administrators

  • Mission-driven businesses

  • DEI leaders

  • Boards and leadership teams

Whether you’re a small grassroots group or a growing department, we meet you where you are and design an experience that fits your goals.

Lab Formats

💡 Microtrainings (60–90 minutes)

Focused, foundational tools for big impact
Great for retreats, all-staff meetings, or onboarding. Participants walk away with story-based leadership tools they can use immediately in their role.

Common topics include:

  • Leading with your values

  • Active listening & relational trust

  • Owning your leadership story

  • Navigating conflict through narrative


🛠 Team Labs (2–3 hours)

Cohesion + clarity for teams in motion

Perfect for teams going through change, growth, or regrouping. We help your group surface shared values, co-create a team story, and identify where you're headed next—together.

Includes:

  • Pre-session team intake

  • Collaborative storytelling process

  • Visual team narrative or “charter”

  • Optional follow-up integration session

🚀 Story Sprints (Half or Full Day)

Narrative strategy for individuals or leadership teams

You bring a decision, challenge, or moment of shift. We help you map the story, clarify your message, and chart a path forward.

Great for:

  • Mission/vision alignment

  • Strategic storytelling

  • Leadership transitions

  • Campaign or initiative kickoffs

Deliverables:

  • Narrative roadmap

  • Aligned messaging or story assets

  • Action plan with next steps

Available Trainings

These are some of our most requested Leadership Labs. Each one can be delivered as a Microtraining, Team Lab, or Story Sprint—and customized to meet your team’s goals.

🔸 Leading from the Middle

Adaptive Leadership for Small Teams 

You don’t have to be the boss to lead. This session is designed for people navigating leadership from the center—middle managers, project leads, and team connectors. Learn adaptive strategies, relational tools, and how to lead with clarity even when you’re not “in charge.”

🔸 Story as Strategy

Aligning Vision + Voice Your organization’s story is more than a narrative—it’s a compass. In this lab, we use storytelling to surface shared values, refine messaging, and align your team’s voice with its mission. Great for moments of growth, rebranding, or change.

🔸 Listening First

Building Trust Through Narrative 

Practice Trust is built one conversation at a time. This session centers deep listening as a leadership practice. Participants learn how to hold space, hear what's underneath, and foster connection in teams and across difference.

🔸 Trickster Tactics

Courage, Conflict & Creativity in Leadership 

Inspired by the trickster figures in global folklore, this session explores creative approaches to challenge, change, and conflict. Learn how to lead with flexibility, invite disruption with intention, and use story to navigate the unknown.

Don’t See What You Need?

We co-design trainings with our partners all the time! Let us know your challenge or intention, and we’ll help you build a session that meets the moment.