2026 Leadership Academy

Virtual Training to Develop Your Leadership Potential in Scholarly Publishing

Building on a successful inaugural year, the Leadership Academy is an initiative developed by the SSP Career Development and Training Committees. It empowers participants with vital leadership skills. The program explores key areas for effective leadership and provides participants with innovative strategies, techniques, and skills that apply to real-world situations.

Over five sessions that include panel discussions, group breakout sessions, and reflective exercises, the Leadership Academy offers modules tailored to address contemporary leadership needs: 

• Clifton Strengths and Discovering Your Leadership Style
• Innovation and Change Management
• Navigating Difficult Conversations Ethically
• Psychological Safety for Teams/Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
• Leading Development in Your Career and Your Team

Participants will gain insights from industry experts and engage in focused peer-to-peer discussions and sessions that address the challenges faced by future leaders in a rapidly changing environment. By the end of the program, participants will have a comprehensive toolkit of leadership skills to navigate diverse organizational landscapes.

Participants will also receive free access to the CliftonStrengths Assessment to better understand their strengths. Access to the assessment tool will be provided once participants register. Ideally, participants should complete the assessment at least one week in advance of the February 26 session. 

The Leadership Academy consists of five interactive sessions, each lasting about 90 minutes. While sessions will be recorded, participants are encouraged to attend live to take advantage of interactive components. 

Schedule 

Speaker: Nicole Mintz, George Washington  University 

This session covers the essential skills and mindsets needed to lead in a rapidly changing world.  Themes will include cultivating a culture of innovation where new ideas are welcomed and risk-taking is encouraged, navigating disruption and change to build organizational resilience, and empowering and inspiring teams to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique talents.

Speakers: Ann Michael, Chief Transformation Officer, AIP Publishing
Paul Gee, Vice President of Digital Product Management and Development, American Medical Association.

This session will focus on the importance of managing difficult conversations and the importance of this skill in good leadership to strengthen relationships and drive success in the workforce. Themes to include strategies for approaching, managing, and resolving challenging discussions, and doing so with confidence and empathy, as well as the importance of active listening and assertive communication while maintaining respect.

Speaker: TBA

A session on how leadership behaviors can foster psychological safety, even when employees are under pressure. Emphasis on the multiple facets of psychological safety – not only leaders creating an environment where team members can speak up, take risks, and show vulnerability, but also how stress, ambiguity and urgency in a team’s day to day can damage trust and create an environment that is not inclusive. A session about the role of emotional intelligence in good leadership. Themes will include how future leaders leaders can enhance their emotional skills, build stronger relationships, and drive motivation in employees.

Speaker: Penny Newton-Hurley, Psychological Safety Consultant

Speakers: Jack Farrell Managing Director, Jack Farrell and Associates
Lettie Conrad, Deputy Editor, The Scholarly Kitchen, Experience Architect for LibLynx

Leadership Academy Logistics

Sessions will be held on Zoom Events, providing opportunities for Q&A and networking with fellow participants. Participants are encouraged to join all sessions live, but recordings will be available to registered participants for 90 days after the Academy concludes.  

Digital Badge

After completing the program, attendees will receive a digital badge to share with their networks or LinkedIn profiles.