L&D Leadership Skills

ASPIRE

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The ASPIRE learning experience seeks to develop and cultivate a leadership mindset within individual contributors. Combining instructor-led programming with self-directed and collaborative learning, the program creates the conditions for aspiring leaders to emerge with an increased awareness of themselves professionally and an understanding of how they can lead from their current role.

Your mindset not only drives your attitudes, beliefs, and expectations but also serves as the foundation of who you are, how you make decisions, and how you interact with others. Research has found that those with a leadership mindset are more growth-oriented, resilient, and accountable – regardless of title or position.

Designed around the Competing Values Framework of Organizations, developed by Quinn and Rohrbaugh, the ASPIRE learning experience seeks to develop and cultivate a leadership mindset within individual contributors. Combining instructor-led programming with self-directed and collaborative learning, the program creates the conditions for aspiring leaders to emerge with an increased awareness of themselves professionally and an understanding of how they can lead from their current role.

Program Details

Who Should Attend

ASPIRE is designed for any full-time Georgia Tech employee who does not currently manage others but desires to gain the skills necessary to develop a leadership mindset.

Eligible participants must commit to all the dates listed within the program guide and should be in good standing, with no disciplinary issues in the last six months. Participants must also have the full support of their supervisors.

How You Will Benefit

By participating in ASPIRE, you will be able to:

  • Cultivate a leadership mindset.
  • Better contribute to and uphold Georgia Tech’s values.
  • Understand how our actions impact others.
  • Assess any need to correct the course of our actions.
  • Participate in cross-campus collaborative learning.
  • Understand the wider effectiveness of our actions.
  • Engage with supervisor to implement key learnings.

Application window opens June 2025

The Competing Leadership Approaches Framework

Centered on four competing approaches to leadership, ASPIRE develops a people-leading mindset in non-managers. This model addresses the complexities faced as a leader while navigating the competing areas within an organization.

“An amazing experience that I will cherish. Being in a room with people no matter their job titles or education levels. All focused-on how to become the change they want to see not only in their departments but in their own lives and communities. That is one of the most amazing things about this program. All the lessons you learn and the conversations you have help you to become the leader you are striving to be in all areas of your life. You will be greatly changed by the lessons you learn and the people you meet. “

– April Monger, ASPIRE Participant

While I was a co-learner with one of my team members in the ASPIRE program, I was able to be more intentional in my conversations with them about their development as an employee who wants to lead people.

I enjoyed my experience as a co-learner because I got to be an active participant in my team member’s growth and development through this program.

– Carly Bloomingdale, ASPIRE Co-Learner

Before leadership, employee success is measured by growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is measured by the ability to grow others. The ASPIRE program is uniquely positioned to unlock and empower the next generation of leaders at the Institute for their success and the organization’s success as we live our strategic goals and values. As a “colearner”, I’ve had the opportunity to support and engage in the program and see practical results to equip employees with leadership skills to continue to move their careers forward.

– Cedric Franklin, ASPIRE Co-Learner

How it works

Acquire a leadership mindset

  • No Program Cost
  • Six asynchronous online learning modules
  • Six synchronous workshops with an assigned cohort
  • 40-hour time commitment over four months

*If a participant does not complete all requirements of the program, a fee of $750 will be charged to their department.