About Lead Sooner: Cultivating Conscious Leadership

Completed applications and all required documents are reviewed and scored by a tri-campus external selection committee. Any documents not submitted will result in a deduction in scoring. See the Application link on the right side of the page for all necessary documents.

The cost of attending is covered by Human Resources; however, participants' departments will incur a $135 fee if the participant withdraws from the program with less than 48 hours’ notice of the first session date, or if they miss more than 3 hours (cumulative) of the scheduled workshops.

Learning styles, schedules, and team dynamics vary on an individual basis; therefore, it is difficult to predict. You may refer to the above Expectations tab to view a summary of coursework and make an inference based on your information processing style.

Yes. Even if your reference letter comes from another member of your supervisory line, your direct supervisor must approve your participation in the program. Not submitting a recommendation letter will result in a deduction in total scoring. (Supervisor approval is required to participate in the program.)

Professional Recommendation for Lead Sooner Program Applicant Template

To the Lead Sooner Selection Committee,

It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend John Doe for participation in the Lead Sooner 2025–2026 Program. I have had the pleasure of working with John for the past [insert time frame] in his role as [insert job title] within [insert department/unit], and I can confidently say that he embodies both the curiosity and commitment essential for impactful leadership development.

John consistently demonstrates a high level of [insert key traits – e.g., professionalism, initiative, or emotional intelligence] in his daily work. He is a natural [insert strength – e.g., collaborator, communicator, problem-solver] who [insert specific example or responsibility that demonstrates leadership potential]. One example of this is when [insert a brief anecdote or success story that shows their leadership capacity or growth].
What sets John apart is his eagerness to grow. He actively seeks feedback, reflects on areas for improvement, and takes action to better himself and his contributions to the team. I believe his participation in this program would not only support his professional development but would also positively impact our organization through the tools and insights he will bring back.

The Lead Sooner Program is a strong match for John’s current professional goals. He is ready to take the next step in his leadership journey, and this program will provide the structure, community, and learning to help him do so with confidence and clarity.

Please feel free to contact me at [insert phone number or email] if additional information is needed regarding John’s qualifications.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Department or Office]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Please do not apply if you know you have a scheduling conflict with any of the session dates. Missing more than 3 hours (cumulative) of the scheduled workshops will result in a participant being removed from the program and their department incurring a fee of $135.