Develop the Next Generation of Leaders
Advance the knowledge, skills, and potential of your high-potential employees with this turnkey program from the industry’s premier leadership development provider.
CUES Essential Leadership Program is a holistic, inclusive five-month program that equips your future leaders with the communication skills, emotional intelligence, and executive presence they need to lead teams—while strengthening your leadership pipeline, boosting retention, and building bench strength at scale.
Build Your Leadership Pipeline
Credit unions are navigating increased complexity, tighter labor markets, and growing expectations of leaders at every level. CUES Essential Leadership Program helps you develop multiple high-potential employees at once, creating shared language, stronger collaboration, and leaders ready to step into greater responsibilities.
Teams learn best together; shared experiences strengthen collaboration, reinforce skills, and accelerate leadership impact. That’s why CUES Essential Leadership Program is purposefully structured for group enrollment—to ensure the greatest return on your leadership investment.
Who This Program Is Designed For
Ideal participants include:
First-time managers and supervisors
High-potential employees preparing for leadership roles
Branch managers, operations leads, and cross-functional team leaders
Designed to support internal promotion and reduce turnover in key roles, this program delivers a strong foundation for long-term continuity, giving your credit union a pipeline of leaders ready to step into expanded responsibilities.
Don't just take our word for it—see what a recent participant had to say:
You Provide the Participants, We’ll Take Care of the Rest!
CUES Essential Leadership Program is a fully virtual, five-month experience that blends structured learning with Executive Coaching and application.
Each participant receives:
Three core leadership courses
Foundations of Leadership • Emotional Intelligence • Executive PresenceSmall-group virtual coaching led by leadership experts
Mini 360° feedback and leadership assessments
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) aligned to role expectations
Peer learning with leaders from other credit unions across The CU Movement
Participants build skills they can apply immediately, improving communication, confidence, and team effectiveness.
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94%
Essential Leadership Program graduates recommend the program.
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87%
Of participants report improved communication and collaboration.
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70%+
Apply skills to boost morale, resolve conflict, and lead through change.
Format:
Self-paced online learning combined with live virtual coaching and facilitated discussions
Time Commitment:
5 months, approximately 2–4 hours per month
Cohorts for 2026:
Spring Cohort: April–August 2026
Fall Cohort: July–November 2026 (timing subject to change)
Cohort sizes are intentionally limited to ensure a high-quality experience.
Foundations of Leadership
- Explore authentic leadership techniques and cultivate confidence in leading.
- Course topics include leadership styles, influence, communication, change management, coaching, team development, goal setting, and conflict resolution.
The Power of Executive Presence
- Uncover the holistic skills needed to establish a positive and influential presence.
- Course topics include personal appearance/branding, mindset, strategic vision, and effective communication.
The Emotionally Intelligent Leader
- Develop skills to manage relationships effectively and create a positive work environment.
- Course topics include self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management.
Applying Foundations of Leadership
- This facilitated discussion will explore the concept of leadership and highlight best practices for becoming an effective leader.
Integrating Executive Presence
- We’ll come together to review the components of executive presence and discuss best practices for building your confidence and leadership authenticity.
Embracing Emotional Intelligence
- In this session we’ll discuss how understanding and managing your emotions can help you communicate with and relate to others.
Individual Development Plan Refinement
- Finalize your individual development plan based on course learnings and with help from the group.
CUES Essential Leadership Program is sold in seat blocks to support shared learning and stronger organizational impact.
Minimum Enrollment:
$1,200 per seat (minimum 10 seats block)
Individual registrations are not available
Additional Savings Available:
Larger groups (10+ participants)
Bundled solutions paired with CUES Consulting or additional leadership programs
Discounted pricing is customized based on your organization’s needs.
Group and bundle pricing discounts available. Contact us to receive a tailored quote.
What type of leader is this program best suited for?
Emerging leaders, young professionals, and high-potential employees, including first-time managers, supervisors, branch managers, and other high-achievers preparing for leadership roles.
How much time should participants expect to commit?
Designed with flexibility in mind, this five-month program allows participants to engage at a sustainable pace. Each month, participants can expect to invest approximately 2–4 hours in self-paced learning and virtual coaching.
Is this program entirely virtual?
Yes. Online learning and live virtual coaching enable participation across teams and locations without travel costs.
Can I enroll just one or two participants?
The program is designed for impact at the team level, so enrollment is sold in blocks of 10 or more seats.
This supports shared learning and ensures return on investment.
What if we want more than 10 seats?
We can scale up! If you need 11–50 seats, we will help you group team members into multiple cohorts or customize a delivery approach.
How does payment work?
A CUES representative will provide a quote and invoice based on the number of seats and any applicable bundled pricing. Payment is due prior to program start.
Can the program be customized for our credit union?
Yes. For organizations with larger groups or ongoing leadership development needs, CUES can customize, integrate coaching, or bundle with consulting solutions.
What happens after the program?
Participants complete the program with an Individual Development Plan and recommended next steps. Many organizations advance graduates into the CUES Advanced Management Program or other leadership pathways.
When is the next cohort launching?
We have two cohorts open for 2026:
April–August 2026
July–November 2026 (timing subject to change)
How do we secure seats?
Submit the interest form or email us directly—we’ll confirm your seat block and guide you through next steps.