The 2027 AAMSE Leadership Academy will be held January 28–29 in Oklahoma City, OK, graciously hosted by the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA). 

The Leadership Academy is a two-day, highly-interactive, in-person event that is one of AAMSE's highest rated programs

As a medical society professional, your position requires effective and creative leadership skills to manage boards, committees, members and staff. As the only leadership training program specific to the needs of medical societies, the AAMSE Leadership Academy provides a unique educational opportunity to learn the strategies, tools and techniques to enhance your individual leadership style and talents.

Becoming an Exemplary Leader

What does it take to be an exemplary leader?

In contrast to the popular theory that 'leaders are born, not made," we believe that every person has the potential to lead. The Leadership Challenge® is a results-proven leadership development model created by bestselling authors Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, backed by over 30 years of original research and data from over 3 million leaders. Participants will experience and apply the Five Practices of Exemplary leadership and learn how to mobilize and motivate others to get extraordinary things done.

Also included in the workshop is the Leadership Practices Inventory® 360 Feedback Tool, which allows you to ask for feedback from colleagues, your manager and direct reports if you have them. We will help you understand your LPI results and create a personal development plan that highlights your leadership goals and strategies.

Program details, including content areas and speakers will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

Overview

During the AAMSE Leadership Academy, you will work with fellow attendees to seek solutions to challenging problems through team-building tasks, an exchange of ideas, sharing experiences and developing relationships with individuals who are striving toward common goals. Upon completion, you'll become part of a growing group of Academy graduates whose network for sharing ideas, expertise and best practices will benefit you for a lifetime.

Curriculum

The Leadership Academy begins with a personal assessment of your individual leadership practices. Prior to the Academy, each attendee completes a confidential online Leadership Practice Inventory (LPI). The LPI is a 360-degree assessment instrument developed by Kouzes and Posner which helps you assess your current leadership practices and enables you to further develop and improve your skills.*

Working in small groups to solve leadership dilemmas, you will learn the following principles of Kouzes and Posner's The Leadership Challenge® and apply concepts in practical settings:

Model the Way

• Setting a personal example of what is expected
• Asking for feedback on how your actions affect people's performance
• Building consensus around organizations values
• Being clear about your philosophy of leadership

Inspire a Shared Vision

• Talking about future trends influencing our work
• Showing how others' interests can be realized
• Painting "big picture" of group aspirations
• Speaking with conviction about meaning of work

Challenge the Process

• Challenging yourself and others to try new approaches
• Experimenting and takes risks
• Collaborating and building partnerships with internal and external stakeholders for innovative ways to improve
• Creating and modeling an environment that embraces learning and change

Enable Others to Act

• Actively listening to diverse points of view
• Treating people with dignity and respect
• Supporting decisions other people make
• Ensuring that people grow in their jobs

Encourage the Heart

• Expressing confidence in people's abilities
• Creatively rewarding people for their contributions
• Encouraging opportunities for staff to participate in activities that can highlight their abilities
• Recognizing the commitment and achievements of staff and volunteers

For further information, please contact AAMSE's Director of Professional Development, Danial Davis, at daniald@ewald.com. 

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsor: 

What Past Attendees Say:

"My experience was profound. We had a dynamic group, and we clicked as we shared leadership secrets. I think that is one of the major values of the Academy."

"The Leadership Academy is perfect training for medical society executives who want to improve leadership skills... the content is invaluable!"

"I have witnessed changed lives of individuals who have learned to challenge themselves to create and promote an encouraging environment where ordinary people can produce extraordinary successes and results. Lessons from the Academy also have instilled leadership qualities in those individuals where there were none before, strengthened qualities in those who strived to be better leaders and inspired those attending to be challenged to strive for excellence and to Model the Way in moving their individual medical associations to higher levels of success."

*Please Note:

• Because the Leadership Practices Inventory® 360 Feedback Tool must be completed before attendees arrive, and this assessment requires 2–3 weeks to complete, registration will close at 5:00 PM CST on Friday, January 8, 2027.
• Unless there are extenuating circumstances, registration fees are non-refundable. If a registrant can no longer attend the Academy, their spot can be transferred to another employee of their organization or to the next year's Academy. Cancellations after the Leadership Practices Inventory® 360 Feedback Tools have been assigned (usually 6 weeks in advance of the program start date) will incur an additional $199 fee. Contact daniald@ewald.com with any questions or if you need to cancel a registration.