P02 Become the Leader Your Team Wants & Needs
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET
Sunday, November 6
Room: Monterey 2/3
Many leaders adopt the traits of other leaders or try to fit the image of the leader they are “supposed to be” instead of cultivating the qualities that could really lead their team forward. How can leaders bridge the gap between what they think a great leader is, and what their team actually needs to achieve greatness?
In this full-day workshop you will learn that you don’t have to lead like someone you are not. Instead, you can learn to lead in a way that feels good—and empowers your team.
We’ll explore research on how people like to be led, and I’ll share deep insights gleaned from years of research across many demographics. For example, when people were asked what they think makes a great leader, they responded with traits like bold, fearless, and powerful; but when the same people were asked how they enjoy being led, the responses highlighted very different traits such as empathy, good listening, and understanding.
Leaders who understand who they are and how to best communicate with their teams succeed in building trust, gaining loyalty, and empowering their teams to achieve great things.
We’ll start by developing an understanding of the modern traits people look for in a leader, and explore how those traits map onto your own strengths. Next, we’ll discuss how you can better understand your team and their strengths, weaknesses, goals, and ambitions. Finally, you’ll learn how to use a comprehensive tool to develop trust, inspire loyalty, and motivate your personnel.
In this workshop, you will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and who you are as a leader, including your strengths and weaknesses
- Gain tips and practices for getting to know your team, build trust, and understand how they can be more successful in their mission
- Take your leadership to the next level, honing your ability to create and develop motivated, dedicated, and loyal teams that are ready to achieve great things

Jenn Donahue
President / Owner
JL Donahue Engineering
Jenn Donahue, PhD, is a retired US Navy captain and engineer who works on large-scale, high-profile projects. Over her 27-year military career, Jenn built a bridge across the Euphrates River in the midst of the Iraq war, commanded an 800-personnel battalion in Afghanistan, and constructed combat outposts in the middle of deserts filled with insurgents. Jenn has led earthquake and tsunami reconnaissance missions in places like Samoa and Japan; designed the seismic plans for a bridge over the Panama Canal; and built roads in the coldest climes of Ketchikan. Along the way she mentored scores of young leaders.