The Co-Active Leadership Program is a powerful experiential program designed to uncover, deepen and build on your natural strengths as a leader. It consists of four intensive residential retreats and in-between assignments over a ten-month period.

This international program is designed for people who want to have a more powerful, positive, and lasting impact within their profession, organization, family, and/or community, and are ready to do something about it. The diversity of program participants enhances both its appeal and impact.

In addition to its unique, Co-Active experiential learning model, this program stands out by continually deepening and integrating learning over a ten-month period, resulting in both personal mastery and the formation of a powerful leadership community that builds and sustains momentum over time.

As an experiential program, learning is often accomplished through moderate activity including movement, games, exercises, and various physical challenges. Course participants vary widely in both age and fitness levels, however, and limitations can be accommodated without sacrificing learning. Safety is of utmost concern and everyone is encouraged to participate only to the extent to which they do not risk injuring themselves or others. A medical form, completed at the time of registration, allows us to address any issues early on.

As an experiential program, learning often happens through activities, games, and exercises designed to get the learning out of your head and deeply embedded in your body. As a result, the specific impact of learning is often difficult to describe in words.

The most universal participant feedback is that the Co-Active Leadership Program is “life changing.” Specifically, graduates report that the program has most dramatically impacted their ability to access their personal strengths and leadership qualities, and apply them in all aspects of life, both personal and professional. They are more able to show up fully, take a stand for who they are and what they believe in, and take responsibility for the impact they create in the world. Graduates are also more attuned to the gifts of others and seek out opportunities to re-experience the joy of collaboration and co-creation.

Each program is led by two highly trained co-leaders, which model CTI leadership throughout. Most of our instructors also lead CTI coaching courses. You may contact the Leadership office for specific leader assignments, bearing in mind that leaders may change before the program start date. Other guest leaders are brought in for specific program segments to enhance the learning experience. Click here for information about our Program Leaders. Approximately 23 participants complete the entire program together.

The program consists of 22 full training days spread over the four residential retreats, plus group interaction and projects scheduled between each retreat. Projects are designed by participants themselves, and vary widely in content, scope, and time commitment. Retreat days often include structured activities into the evening hours. Participants remain connected with their leadership community through regular conference calls, at least bi-weekly, and via project work.

At the completion of this program you will become part of the international leadership community of graduates, The CALL, that has ongoing opportunities for growth, connection and networking/resource sharing, and keeping the learning alive. CTI offers other abundant opportunities, such as our Leadership Mastery program, for continued connection and personal/professional growth.

The International Coaches Federation (ICF) has approved the Co-Active Leadership Program for 199.75 hours of Continuing Coaching Education. We will provide a certificate of completion and supporting information for participants who are interested in pursuing continuing education units with other professional associations.

While many Leadership participants do have coach training and therefore a similar frame of reference when they begin the program, this is not a coaching course and prior coach training in not essential to successfully complete this program. However, we do recommend that participants without other CTI training become familiar with Co-Active principles by reading the book, Co-Active Coaching , by Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House and Phil Sandahl. This book will provide you with the basic language and understanding of the Co-Active model, which applies to leadership as well as coaching.

The Co-Active framework was developed by the three CTI co-founders, Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House and Karen Kimsey-House. It holds that all people are naturally creative, resourceful and whole, and forms the basis for creating collaborative, proactive alliances. This framework applies to leadership development as well as coach training. Skills and techniques are important in both our leadership development and coach training programs; authenticity and connection are even more important.

Through Leadership you will develop a wider range of self-expression, the flexibility to dance with whatever shows up in the moment, and the strength to stand in your power, regardless of the circumstances. This, in turn, enhances your ability to be fully present with and take a stand for your clients.

The answer to this question is highly individual, and we'd be happy to explore this with you over the phone. Some questions to consider include: what are you up to in the world right now? Is your goal to be a full-time coach or use coaching skills in other work that you do? What are your time, family, work, and/or financial constraints? Do you like to be busy or need time to process information?

Leadership is one of the prerequisites to become a CTI front-of-the-room leader for the coaching curriculum. Completing Leadership does not guarantee that you will be hired as a CTI leader, however.

The first two retreats begin at 11:00 AM on the first day and end at 3:00 PM on the last day. Retreats 3 and 4 both begin at 11:00 AM on the first day. Retreat 3 ends at 3:00 PM, whereas retreat 4 ends at 5:00 PM on the last day.

Our training center is near the town of Sebastopol in Northern California; 5 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 1 hour north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and 2 hours from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

We provide transportation for the first retreat, which picks participants up at one of two hotels near the SFO airport the morning of the first retreat. A van will then drive participants back to the airport on Sunday. Driving directions will also be provided prior to the first retreat. Transportation for subsequent retreats is handled by participants themselves; often as a group or in carpools.

The Mother Tree is a modern facility in a rural, hilltop setting. The food is outstanding, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated. This is a beautiful center; however, it is not a resort. Lodging is dormitory-style and you will be sharing a room with 3 - 5 other participants. You may not stay off-site.

The first two retreats begin at 10:00 AM on the first day and end at 3:00 PM on the last day. Retreats 3 and 4 both begin at 10:00 AM on the first day. Retreat 3 ends at 3:00 PM, whereas retreat 4 ends at 5:00 PM on the last day.

The retreat is held at a beautifully renovated 50 year old tobacco barn nestled on a 63 acre Green farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The Lodge is located about 35 mintues from the Asheville, NC airport.

We provide transportation for the first retreat, which picks participants up at one of two hotel locations near the Asheville airport the morning of the first retreat. A van will then drive participants back to the airport on Sunday. Driving directions will also be provided prior to the first retreat. Transportation for subsequent retreats is handled by participants themselves; often as a group or in carpools.

The Bend of Ivy Lodge is a modern retreat facility surrounded by lush gardens, waterfalls and lovely trails. Fresh local cuisine will be deliciously prepared, and dietary restrictions will be accommodated. This is a beautiful center; however, it is not a resort. Lodging is dormitory-style and you will be sharing a room with other participants. You may not stay off-site.

All four retreats begin at 11:00 AM on the first day. The first two retreats end at 3:00 PM on the last day, the third retreat ends at 3:00 PM, and the fourth retreat ends at 5:00 PM on the last day.

The masia is located on 300 acres near Sitges, Spain. It is less than one hour from the Barcelona International Aiport.

We provide transportation for the first retreat only. Interested participants will be picked up at one of two hotel locations near the Barcelona International airport. Return transportation will be provided to the airport. Transportation for subsequent retreats is handled by participants themselves. Driving directions will be provided prior to the first retreat.

Almiral de la Font is a beautifully renovated masia in a rural, hilltop setting. The retreat center has an excellent chef who is experienced in cooking a wide variety of cuisine. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated. Because of the community-building component of this program, you may not stay off-site. Lodging is shared with several other participants.