The Ascent Begins in Nashville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business Nashville Emerging Leaders program empowers rising leaders to shape a clear professional identity rooted in evidence-based practice and ethical integrity.
Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, simulations and guided reflection, program participants strengthen leadership skills, learn to navigate team dynamics with confidence and make meaningful strides toward career goals.
Surrounded by peers, mentors and industry experts, participants gain practical tools and fresh perspectives to lead with confidence and clarity. The leadership ascent begins in Nashville, but the skills and connections built in the program support their growth long after it ends.
The Haslam Emerging Leaders program follows a methodical approach to building leadership and management skills for emerging leaders across industries.
This two-part, expert-taught Haslam program is designed for professionals who are new to leadership roles or who are expanding their leadership responsibilities, including:
Emerging Leaders is a high-impact experience designed to help rising professionals refine their leadership style, enhance their influence and prepare for greater responsibility. Participants gain practical tools, strategic insight and the confidence to lead with clarity and purpose.
Key developmental areas include:
Haslam supports leadership growth through engaging, results-focused experiences, including:
Director of Leadership Development Programs
Executive Director and Leadership Division
Director, Graduate & Executive Education
Lecturer
Lecturer
Executive Leadership Coach
Executive Leadership Coach
Nashville Entrepreneur Center – 41 Peabody Street, Nashville, 37210
Centrally located in the Southeast, Nashville is the vibrant capital of Tennessee and serves as a convenient and accessible destination from numerous surrounding cities and states. Known for its rich musical heritage, dynamic cultural scene, and growing economy, Nashville offers an ideal blend of Southern charm and city energy, making it the perfect place to begin your leadership ascent.
The Emerging Leaders program is held in facilities designed to promote group interaction in an environment conducive to simulation exercises, applied discussion, feedback and networking. Travelers can book rooms at a nearby downtown business hotel.
While participants gain the most from attending both units, each four-day unit focuses on a specific theme, allowing participants to attend one or both.
Tuition includes books and classroom materials, as well as breakfast, lunch and break refreshments. Each unit also features a fun evening out in Nashville — an opportunity to unwind, connect with peers, and enjoy the vibrant energy of the city.
Tuition costs are as follows:
Class size is limited to personalize the learning experience, so reserve your spot soon!
2Coaching consultations are available only to students participating in both session blocks.
August 14-17, 2025; November 6-9, 20251
1Dates are subject to change. Please contact deborah.watts@utk.edu for the latest information.
The program includes two four-day units, spaced several months apart. Each unit takes place over two weekdays (Thursday and Friday) and a weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
Dates: August 14-17, 2025
Pre-Unit Assessments and Tools: Predictive Index, 360 degree survey
Leadership starts from within. Before guiding others, leaders must develop self-awareness, understand their strengths and recognize areas for growth. This session provides insights into leadership identity and personal effectiveness to build a strong foundation.
Session Overview
Develop awareness of leadership identity, strengths and weaknesses | Focus on basic management and leadership skills to enhance individual leadership self-awareness
This session equips participants to:
Great leaders inspire and influence people, not just manage them. This session helps emerging leaders understand leadership styles, adapt to different contexts and build strong interpersonal influence to lead effectively.
Session Overview
Develop a better understanding of leadership contexts and styles | Focus on how to maximize situations and lead people with impact
This session equips participants to:
High-performing teams don’t happen by accident — they require intentional leadership. This session equips leaders with tools to build cohesive, productive teams by understanding group dynamics, collaboration strategies and collective intelligence.
Session Overview
Develop team leadership acumen | Focus on strategies and tools essential to creating and leading cohesive high-performing teams
This session equips participants to:
Leaders are constantly making decisions that impact people and organizations. This session strengthens decision-making skills by addressing cognitive biases, ethical dilemmas and frameworks for making sound leadership choices.
Session Overview
Develop decision-making skills | Focus on helping leaders make better business decisions by understanding the impact of decisions and decision-making biases
This session equips participants to:
Dates: November 6-9, 2025
Effective leaders don’t focus only on results, they help others grow and succeed. This session provides practical skills in coaching, feedback, motivation and performance management to develop engaged, high-performing teams.
Session Overview
Develop the skills to both support employee growth and sustain high performance | Focus on coaching, feedback, motivation and performance management to develop engaged, high-performing teams.
This session equips participants to:
Day 2 | Adaptive Leadership & Leading Through Change
Leading change is a core leadership responsibility, especially for emerging leaders. This session provides practical tools to drive and sustain change efforts, maintain engagement and build resilient teams.
Session Overview
Develop the ability to lead teams through uncertainty and transformation | Focus on tools for resilience, adaptability and driving change effectively
This session equips participants to:
Day 3 | Executive Presence and Leading with Impact
Leadership isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you show up. This session helps leaders develop executive presence, communicate with authority and inspire confidence, ensuring they can lead with credibility and impact.
Session Overview
Develop the ability to communicate with authority, build leadership presence and inspire action | Focus on strengthening personal influence, communication and credibility as a leader
This session equips participants to:
Day 4 | Strategy in Action
Leadership involves shaping the future. This session connects leadership to strategy, helping participants think big, act strategically and translate vision into action.
Session Overview
Develop the capacity to make more strategic contributions | Focus on understanding judgment, strategic decision making and translating strategy into action
This session equips participants to:
Have questions about the schedule or concerned about a conflict with one of the dates?
Schedule a call to discuss options.