LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT TRAINING
High Performing Managers Initiative.
Strengthen your leadership skills to develop a high-performing team
Join CRE's High Performing Managers Initiative (HPMI), where nonprofit leaders embark on a transformative journey to elevate their teams and themselves. Learn to adapt your leadership style, tackle complex issues collaboratively, and identify critical success factors for ongoing projects. Applications are open until Thursday, April 10th, 2025. To be considered for the Early Bird Rate, please submit an application before Friday, March 28, 2025.
Program Benefits
By participating in HPMI, you will:
- Learn how to better manage yourself and lead your team. Gain improved communication, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills. Integrate CRE’s Impactful Leadership Model into your current and future work.
- Master the distinctions between “leading” and “managing.” Adapt your leadership style based on context and needs. Armed with this clarity, you can flexibly adjust your approach, stepping into leadership mode when vision, inspiration, and alignment are critical. Conversely, you will have increased ability to manage efficiently during operational tasks.
- Gain confidence in tackling complex issues collaboratively. Learn to collaboratively solve complex problems and facilitate learning within your team(s) - using the Action Learning model. Ask powerful questions that provoke deeper thinking and active listening.
- Learn to achieve and sustain success! Identify the critical success factors specific to your organizational and team context and apply these success elements to ongoing projects and initiatives by navigating challenges with adaptability and persistence.
- Learn to identify and navigate team dysfunction and cultivate trust and cohesion within your team(s). Recognize signs of dysfunction (e.g., communication breakdowns, lack of psychological safety) and practice encouraging honest dialogue and aligning team members around common objectives. Trust will enhance collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving.
An Immersive Leadership Experience
- 21 hours of dynamic, interactive workshops and Action Learning, where theory meets practice through engaging discussions, case studies, and collaborative problem-solving. Our Action Learning methodology ensures you apply concepts directly to your real-world challenges, creating immediate value for both you and your organization.
- Personalized DiSC® assessment and comprehensive reports to deepen your self-awareness and understand your unique leadership style. Gain valuable insights into how you communicate, make decisions, and interact with others—then learn strategic approaches to flex your style for maximum effectiveness with different team members.
- One-on-one executive coaching session with an experienced leadership coach who will help you integrate your learning, address specific challenges, and create a tailored development plan to accelerate your growth. This focused hour provides the personalized attention needed to unlock your specific leadership potential.
- Full catering experience, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks to fuel your learning journey.
- Join our exclusive CRE Cohort Alumni Network, connecting you with fellow leaders across the nonprofit sector. This powerful community provides ongoing support, collaboration opportunities, and continued learning long after the program concludes.
The Details
Dates and Location
Group sessions will be held in-person in Lower Manhattan.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 9:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 9:30am - 4:30pm
Executive coaching session will be held virtually, and scheduled with a designated coach.
The full investment of the program is $2,400 per person. CRE’s equity-based pricing aims to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability while promoting participation of underrepresented groups. Tuition tiers range from $1,200 to $2,400 and are based on organizational operating budgets.
CRE is offering an Early Bird Rate for this program! All tuition tiers will receive a discount of 20% for candidates who apply before Friday, March 28, 2025. This results in tuition tiers ranging from $960 to $1,920.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HPMI application process?
Applications may be submitted until Thursday, April 10, 2025. They will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Upon application submission, qualified applicants will then be interviewed for CRE's HPMI program.
What is the Action Learning Model?
Action Learning is a powerful and collaborative approach that combines elements of coaching, problem-solving, and peer learning. Sessions 2 and 3 of the program include a 2 hour Action Learning session.
- Group Context: Participants come together in a small group (usually 4-8 individuals) with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The group serves as a supportive and confidential space for learning and growth.
- Problem-Solving Focus: Action Learning centers around real-world challenges faced by participants. Each session revolves around a specific problem or project that a participant brings to the group. The problem can be work-related, personal, or organizational.
- Coaching and Inquiry: The group engages in powerful questioning to explore assumptions, biases, and potential solutions. Participants learn to listen actively, ask probing questions, and challenge conventional thinking. The coach (often a facilitator) guides the process, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
- Peer Learning and Accountability: Participants learn from each other’s experiences and expertise. The group holds each other accountable for implementing action steps. Collective wisdom and diverse viewpoints lead to innovative solutions.
Action Learning is a dynamic process that encourages deep learning, collaboration, and practical application. It empowers individuals to tackle complex challenges while benefiting from collective wisdom.
Who is HPMI for?
HPMI is designed for nonprofit professionals who have been managing a team for three (3) years or more. Our participants are primarily from New York City and serve in a range of areas, including youth development, arts, housing, and more!
What if I can't pay the full price?
The full investment in this program is $2,400 per person. CRE’s equity-based pricing aims to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability while promoting participation of underrepresented groups. Tuition tiers range from $1,200 to $2,400 and are based on organizational operating budgets.
CRE is offering an Early Application Discount for this program! All tuition tiers will receive a discount of 20% for candidates who apply before Friday, March 28, 2025. This results in tuition tiers ranging from $960 to $1,920.
What if I can't join all three group sessions? Is hybrid available?
Participation in this program requires attending all three group sessions in-person. Individual coaching sessions will be held virtually.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact CRE Consultant, Jen Benstraum with any questions: jbenstraum[at]crenyc.org.
How many people are accepted into the program?
To maximize learning and offer a community-focused experience, we aim to have approximately 14-22 participants in the cohort.
What’s the difference between High Performing Managers Initiative and Leading and Managing for Impact, and which one is right for me?
Leading & Managing for Impact is best for managers looking to build foundational management skills like goal setting, delegation, and coaching.
High Performing Managers Initiative (HPMI) is ideal for mid-level managers who want to refine their leadership approach, navigate team dynamics, and tackle complex challenges.
If you're early in your management journey, choose Leading & Managing for Impact. If you're more experienced and want to take your leadership to the next level, HPMI is for you.
Want additional support in identifying which program is right for you? Schedule time with CRE Consultant, Jen Benstraum, here.