Proven workshops that build stronger teams
Lisa D. Foster, PhD
Leadership coach and TEDx speaker
I deliver corporate leadership training workshops and keynote-style presentations that help managers and employees improve leadership skills, strengthen motivation, and work together more effectively.
Many of my clients come from technical environments where strong individual contributors are stepping into leadership roles for the first time — or leaders are moving into more senior ranks. Workshops are designed for organizations where technical expertise must be paired with strong leadership skills.
Each workshop combines research-based insights with practical tools that help managers communicate clearly, build trust, and motivate high-performing teams.
Past clients include engineering firms, biotech companies, business organizations, and professional associations.
Participants can expect:
Real-world stories and examples
Small-group discussions and exercises
Time for Q&A
Practical insights delivered with empathy and a sense of humor.
Most sessions run 60–120 minutes. For deeper engagement, I also offer full-day training with flash coaching sessions.
Who these workshops are designed for
These sessions are especially valuable for:
Engineering, biotech, and technical professionals transitioning into leadership
Organizations developing new managers and supervisors
Companies seeking stronger communication and collaboration
Professional associations supporting members in leadership growth
Workshops can be customized for leadership teams, managers, mixed employee groups, or professional associations.
Popular leadership workshops & speaking topics
These presentations help organizations build leadership capability across teams, strengthen communication, and improve performance.
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
How Leaders Build Psychological Safety and Stronger Teams
Emotions are powerful signals that shape how people respond to pressure, feedback, conflict, and decision making. When leaders understand these signals, they can create workplaces rooted in trust, clarity, and strong performance.
Participants learn:
- How fight, flight, or freeze responses appear in workplace behavior
- Why emotional intelligence improves communication and decision making
- Practical tools for managing emotional reactions under pressure
- How leaders promote trust and psychological safety in teams
Length: Two 45-minute sessions, same day or a few weeks apart
Conversations That Drive Performance
How Great Managers Use 1:1 Meetings to Motivate Teams
Many organizations encourage one-on-one meetings, but few train managers how to use them effectively. This workshop shows how to turn routine 1:1s into a leadership system that strengthens motivation, alignment, and ownership.
Participants learn:
- Why one-on-one meetings are the most important leadership conversation
- Goals managers and direct reports can achieve each week
- How goal-setting and 1:1s build ownership and motivation
- Practical techniques for focused, productive meetings
- A high-performing agenda template managers can use immediately
Length: 60 minutes
From Accountability to Ownership
How Leaders Build Teams That Take Responsibility
Many leaders rely on accountability systems to monitor performance. The strongest teams don’t just comply — they take ownership of results. This session explores how leaders create that environment.
Participants learn:
- Why accountability supervises performance but ownership distributes it
- Why experienced teams are motivated by autonomy, not oversight
- How structured one-on-ones create alignment and ownership
- How clear expectations, visible progress, and recognition build responsibility
- How ownership cultures allow leaders to scale their impact
Length: 60 minutes
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Difficult conversations arise when people feel disrespected, unheard, or misunderstood. This workshop teaches leaders how to de-escalate tension and turn conflict into constructive dialogue.
Participants learn:
- What triggers defensive reactions in conversations
- Communication patterns that escalate conflict
- How to interrupt fight, flight, or freeze responses
- Practical strategies for de-escalating tense discussions
- How to handle difficult conversations with employees and stakeholders
Length: 60 minutes
Additional speaking topic
The 80% Trap
Why Strong Leaders Sometimes Stall — and How to Break Through to Senior Leadership
Many talented professionals reach a point where career momentum slows. They are competent and respected — but promotions stop coming. This session explores the hidden leadership gaps that often prevent strong performers from advancing.
Participants learn:
- Why strengths that drive early success can limit advancement later
- How leadership gaps become more visible as scope expands
- Why senior leadership requires structural integration — not just effort
- How to identify the leadership skill that may be limiting advancement
- Practical ways to expand leadership influence and readiness for promotion
Length: 45 minutes
Proven results, from real participants
Since 2021, I’ve delivered leadership and emotional intelligence workshops for organizations across biotech, higher education, and engineering — and I collect feedback after every session.
100%
Rated the training as meeting or exceeding expectations, across every workshop
feedback survey collected since 2021
8.3/10
Average rating for training value across all organizations receiving training since
2021
100%
of participants at Bulfinch said their personal learning exceeded or greatly
exceeded expectations
“Lisa was an amazing facilitator who was able to challenge our ways of thinking in a respectful and productive way.”
— Workshop Participant, Solar is Freedom
“Anything allowing leadership to be vulnerable, I am all for it.”
— Workshop Participant, Transnetyx
Pricing for leadership workshops
Pricing for leadership workshops is simple and transparent.
Full-day leadership package
$6,000
Includes:
- Up to two presentations
- Up to four hours of flash coaching
- Leadership insights shared with management
Flash coaching allows up to 8 individuals to meet one-on-one. At day’s end, I share anonymized themes and insights with leadership.
Workshops can be delivered as stand-alone sessions or combined into leadership development programs.
Frequently asked questions
What makes your leadership training different?
My workshops combine research, practical tools, and real-world examples. Sessions are interactive and designed so participants leave with ideas they can apply immediately.
How long are the workshops?
Most sessions run 60–120 minutes, though workshops can be customized depending on your organization’s goals. For deeper engagement, I also offer a full-day package with flash coaching.
What leadership topics do you cover?
Popular topics include emotional intelligence, psychological safety, one-on-one management, ownership cultures, difficult conversations, and advancing into senior leadership.
Book a consultation
Let’s talk about your team’s leadership goals. Most organizations start with a short conversation to discuss their team, goals, and event format before selecting a workshop topic.
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