Cox Leadership Academy

Join forces with the bold optimists at SMU Cox, where we are forging a new future – together.
Engage with an innovative learning culture that is changing the way the world does business.

Cox Leadership Academy graduates are adaptable, innovative individuals who want to work in cross-functional teams, learn to critically analyze problems, succinctly communicate data insights who can leverage technology in a global setting to solve complex business issues and lead effective change for business growth.

Participant Profile

You are at the VP level and above and you are ambitious and passionate, and you want a leadership development program that will take you to the next level. An innovative curriculum that lets you tailor your learning to your goals is just the start. At SMU Cox, we have high expectations of you and we give you what you need to exceed them — from deep connections with facilitators that The Economist ranks No. 7 for quality, to a tight-knit global alumni community and coaching support that keeps giving as you build your career. Experiential learning is a core part of your program here. The result: You will learn from and connect with industry professionals and corporate leaders in the city named No. 1 Metro for Job Growth.

Click here to read more about the research behind developing a transformative leader course.  Copyright 2010 by Mind Garden, Inc. www.mindgarden.com (White Paper)

Program Components

  • A year long journey to becoming a Transformative Leader
  • A 360-degree assessment (The Multifactor Leadership and Authenticity Questionnaire)
  • Quarterly residencies for two and half days (on our main SMU campus in the Collins Center)
  • Academic Rigor with Practical Application through an Integrated Leadership Development Model: includes multi-modal learning, application learning, and an individual development plan for intentional growth, reflection exercises, peer coaching, and more.
  • Personalized learning through one on one Coaching (6 sessions)
  • Action learning project
  • Featured Industry Leader Speakers throughout the program

Lominger Competencies Addressed

  • Self-Development
  • Creativity
  • Managing Vision and Purpose
  • Innovation Management
  • Inspiring Others
  • Intellectual Horsepower
  • Motivating Others
  • Building Effective Teams
  • Integrity and Trust
  • Decision Quality
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Developing Direct Reports and Others
  • Understanding Others
  • Managing Diversity
  • Approachability
  • Process Management
  • Caring about Direct Reports
  • Perspective
  • Personal Learning
  • Change Management
  • Dealing with Ambiguity
  • Collaboration
  • Business Acumen
  • Comfort around Higher Management
  • Strategic Agility
  

Selection Process:

There will be a selection and interview process. Resume reviews are available ahead of the application process.
Selection criteria includes:
  • Identified (and validated) by the organization as a current or future senior or enterprise level leader
  • Desire to learn, grow and change
  • High potential and high capability
  • Consistently strong performance
  • Demonstrates leadership characteristics
  • Support from direct leader
  • Ability to commit to program requirements (bi-monthly in-person sessions, monthly virtual sessions, etc.)
  • Willing to invest time and energy to participate fully for the benefit of self and others.
Request Information

  • Dates

    -

  • Format

    Tuesday - Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Location

    Online and On Campus

    James M. Collins Executive Education Center

    Map it >

    Credly digital certificate awarded upon course completion.

  • Price

    Online - $18,000 (Concurrent with the on-campus experience)
    On Campus - $18,000 

    Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate.

    To learn more about customization options for this program, contact Executive Education at 214.768.335 or execed@smu.edu.

    Sessions:

    Leading Yourself

    Leading Teams

    Leading in the Organization

    Leading Across the Enterprise


  • Topics

    Through our future-ready learning experience grounded in proven theory and practical application with input from real business leaders you will be equipped with the mindset, skills, and passion to lead in the workplace and beyond.

  • Schedule

    Before the Program

    • Take the MLQ Leadership Assessment
    • Individual Coaching: Debrief Assessment

    Month One: In-Person Session One: Leading Self/Program Kick-Off

    Session 1

    Leading Self

    Day 1

    Leading Self

    Day 2

    Leading Self

    Day 3

    8:00 AM

     

    Leading Self

    Introductions and Overview

    Becoming a Transformative Leader:
    Exploring your Authentic Leadership

    Jeff Strese

    Becoming a Transformative Leader: Leading with a Compelling Vision

    Introduce & Launch MLQ and ALQ Leadership Assessment

    Shane Goodwin

    Leadership Resilience Optimize Brain Performance

    Dee O’Neill

    Set up Action Learning Project

    Session Action Plan
    Program Concludes

    12:00 PM

    Lunch with Industry Speaker

    Peer Group Lunch

    Box Lunch & Participants Depart

    1:00 PM

     

    Monday Evening
    Welcome Reception
    5-7 p.m.

    Becoming a Transformative Leader:
    Putting your Strengths to Work

    Jeff Strese

    The ESI Advantage:
    The Ongoing
    Development of  Emotional and Social Intelligence

    Pam Van Dyke

    Set up Peer Groups

     

     

     

    5:00 PM

    Open

    Dinner at Collins with Industry Speaker

     


     Session 1 Follow Up

    Month Two

     

    Month Three

    Individual Coaching

     

    Group Application Session: Virtual

    Peer Coaching & Application of Learning

     


     

    Month Four In-Person Session Two: Leading Others/Teams

    Session 2

    Leading Others/Teams

    Day 1

    Leading Others/Teams

    Day 2

    Leading Others/Teams

    Day 3

    8:00 AM

     

    Leading Others / Teams

    Leading High-Performance Teams

    Vanessa Druskat

    Innovate through Human- Centered Design

     

    Jessica Burnham
    Radhika Zaveri

     

    Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovation: Leading a Strategic Culture

    Jose Bowen

    Session Action Plan Program Concludes

    12:00 PM

    Lunch with Industry Speaker

    Peer Group Lunch

    Box Lunch & Participants Depart

    1:00 PM

     

    Leading Others / Teams

    Leading High-Performance Teams

    Vanessa Druskat

    Innovate through Human- Centered Design

    Field Trip (Experiential Learning Exercise)
    Jessica Burnham
    Radhika Zaveri

     

     

     

    5:00 PM

    Collins Center – Dining
    Coaches Invited to Attend if Local

    Industry Speaker then a Reception at Blanton Terrace

     

    Session 2 Follow Up

    Month Five

     

    Month Six

     

    Month Seven

    Individual Coaching

     

    Group Application Session: Virtual (4 weeks out)

     

    Manager Check In on IDP Progress: Sync up with Coach and Coachee

    Peer Coaching & Application of Learning

     


    Month Eight In-Person Session Three: Leading in the Organization

    Session 3

    Leading in the Organization

    Day 1

    Leading in the Organization

    Day 2

    Leading in the Organization

    Day 3

    8:00 AM

     

    Leading in the Organization

    Building Capability through Coaching and Mentoring

    Dr. Pam Van Dyke

     

    Leading in a Digital Age: What does it mean for you?

    Scott Allen

    Strategic Analytics

    12:00 PM

    43 Restaurant in Bush Institute

    Lunch with an Industry Speaker

    Box Lunch & Participants Depart

    1:00 PM

     

    Leading in the Organization

    Bush Institute – Decision Simulation
    Decision Making Biases  

    Jerry Magar

    Leading in a Digital Age: What does it mean for you?

    Scott Allen

     

     

     

    5:00 PM

    Dinner with Industry Speaker

    Open

     

    Session 3 Follow Up

    Month Nine

     

    Month Ten

     

    Month Ten

    Individual Coaching: IDP Progress, Learning Application, Project Coaching

     

    Group Application Session: Virtual

     

    Manager Check-In on IDP Progress

    Peer Coaching & Application of Learning

     


     

    Month Eleven In-Person Session Four: Leading Across the Enterprise

    Session 4

    Leading the Enterprise

    Day 1

    Leading the Enterprise

    Day 2

    Leading the Enterprise

    Day 3

    8:00 AM

     

    Leading Across the Enterprise

     

     

    Leading Change Simulation

    Jerry Magar

    Strategic Management

     

    Helmuth Ludwig

    Creating Organizational Sustainability
    Shane Goodwin

    Debrief Lessons Learned & Learning Application

    Introduce Post-Program 360

    Graduation/

    Program Concludes/Participants Depart

     

    12:00 PM

    Lunch with Industry Speaker

    Peer Group Lunch

    Box Lunch

    1:00 PM

     

    Leading Across the Enterprise

    Leading Change
    Simulation

    Jerry Magar

    Action Learning Project
    Report Outs
    And Debrief


    Shane Goodwin

     

     

    5:00 PM

    Open

    Dinner at Collins with Industry Speaker

     

     

    Post-Program:

    • Conduct post-program 360
    • Coach close-out on IDP progress one month post-program
    • Manager close-out on IDP progress two months post-program

Course Certification

CredlyBadge - Cox Leadership Academy

We have partnered with Credly to translate the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge, issued and managed through Credly's digital badging platform. Click here to learn more about this Credly certification.

Building the Intelligent Enterprise
Corporate Executive Development Program - Carolina Roa
Cox Leadership Academy
Fundamentals of Management
Rising Latino Leaders - Jay Ortiz
Transformational Leadership
Women in Leadership
Building the Intelligent Enterprise
Corporate Executive Development Program - Carolina Roa
Cox Leadership Academy
Fundamentals of Management
Rising Latino Leaders - Jay Ortiz
Transformational Leadership
Women in Leadership
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This has been a fantastic program. It made me so much more intentional in how I approach my job and managing. The speakers were excellent and gave real, practical advice on how to manage and lead successfully. I would recommend this course to anyone.

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This three-day immersive learning experience is designed to equip women leaders with actionable strategies to overcome the hurdles women often face in the workplace.

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Data-driven companies are harnessing the power of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to make smarter decisions, optimize service and streamline operations. Where does your organization stand in its evolution?

Hettie Tabor, Academic Director, SMU Cox School of Business

This course will help you embrace the imperatives of digital transformation, envision where your teams and organization need to be in 10 years—and how to get them there.

Learn More

CEDP was an eye-opener: deeper self-awareness creates the space for intentional, authentic leadership. It was a rich experience that has shaped my professional life.

Carolina Roa, Sr. Land & Facilities Development Manager, DFW International Airport

Delivered in three phases over seven months, this will offer training and networking opportunities to high-potential Hispanic managers and directors preparing for executive levels of responsibilities.

Learn More

This course will introduce new ideas and techniques and challenge you to question conventional thinking. These shared challenges, together with the push to excel that each participant experiences here, create bonds that can last a lifetime.

Luigi Pecoraro, Academic Director

The Cox Leadership Academy is a 6-month program that helps grow the skills and business acumen needed to successfully fulfill the role of a senior leadership team member or enterprise level leader.

Learn More

This has been a fantastic program. It made me so much more intentional in how I approach my job and managing. The speakers were excellent and gave real, practical advice on how to manage and lead successfully. I would recommend this course to anyone.

Participant, 2018

If you're already a front-line manager or a leader moving into management for the first time, this powerful management course will arm you with what's needed to handle the toughest tests.

Learn More

The Rising Latino Leader Program equips you with all the tools needed to climb the corporate ladder, but more importantly, become a better version of yourself while doing so... this course will help you realize your full potential.

Jay Ortiz, AT&T Conexion

This innovative four-and-a-half day experience prepares participants for success in their first managerial positions and equips them to progress into higher levels of responsibility.

Learn More

I enjoyed having different instructors, each knowledgeable in a specific area. The course was filled with very practical and insightful lessons to become a better leader... it was an amazing program that helped tie all the leadership skills together.

Participant, 2019

In 10 challenging sessions, this leadership course for mid-level and experienced leaders will transform your leadership vision and approach from the inside out.

Learn More

We couldn't resist the opportunity to provide a more mindful and intentional offering that creates a safe environment for women

Ana Rodriguez, Academic Director

This four-day immersive learning experience is designed to equip women leaders with actionable strategies to overcome the hurdles women often face in the workplace.

Learn More

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