Fueling Innovation
The third course in the Transformational Leadership Series highlights how trust and principled action shape meaningful innovation. Learners develop the skills to build agile, collaborative teams and apply values-driven strategies that sustain innovation in fast-evolving technological environments.
What you will learn
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Explain how a compelling vision supports innovation and leverage differences for improved collaboration.
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Employ a principled approach to data and technology for strategic planning.
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Apply the principles of trust to challenge the status quo.
Course content
Cultivating an Environment for Innovation
Innovation thrives in environments where trust, collaboration, and vision intersect. Explore how trust and vulnerability create the foundation for a culture of innovation, leverage differences to enhance collaboration, and build strengths-based teams to unlock collective potential. Leaders will learn how to create spaces where creativity and adaptability flourish.
Fostering a Culture of Agility
Agility is essential for navigating today’s fast-changing world. Leaders will discover strategies to inspire experimentation, embrace risk, and drive transformation with confidence and resilience.
Empowering Strategic Action
Strategic action is the bridge between vision and results. Explore how to create focused strategic plans, manage resources ethically and effectively, and integrate trusted technologies to achieve long-term goals. Leaders will learn how to align their teams, prioritize with purpose, and execute strategies that fuel innovation.
Your Course Director
Abigaile VanHorn
Dr. Abigaile VanHorn is the Vice-President of Learning & Development for Acorn Leadership Institute. She attended Purdue University, where she completed her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in political behavior and institutions. She taught Political Science and Leadership, Ethics, and Values at the college level for over 10 years while contributing to the fields of teaching and learning as well as women and politics before shifting her focus to the study and practice of team development, mentoring, and leadership.
Abby joined the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute (of which Acorn is a wholly-owned subsidiary) in 2019 as the Director of Curriculum Development. Throughout her work, she aims to successfully integrate qualitative and quantitative research methods to help uncover challenges, understand the story behind the data, and find innovative solutions. This approach has allowed her team to craft award-winning curriculum and learning resources for higher education and corporate clients alike. Her vocational passion lies in creating tailored approaches to strengths-based leadership development and helping organizations build high-performing teams.