Leadership Emerging in Academic Departments (LEAD) Program for Junior Faculty Physicians and Scientists 

LEAD Program logo

Learn to Lead!

Explore and Develop Your Leadership Potential

Program Goals

Leadership is about influence and the ability to make things happen, not just “being in charge.” Therefore, leadership skills are critically important for faculty success at any stage of the academic career.

  • The LEAD Program is designed for junior faculty who aspire to develop their leadership skills.
  • Curriculum includes modules in self-discovery, communication, influence, negotiation, difficult conversations, inspiring trust, and embracing diversity.
  • Format includes didactic courses, case studies, and experiential activities. Participants work with an executive coach and anchor the LEAD learning objectives with an individual Capstone Leadership Project.

LEAD Program Curriculum

The 2023 LEAD program begins December 2022 and includes 10 monthly four-hour sessions on Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. through December 2023. See full curriculum.

Capstone Leadership Project

Between February and October 2023, each LEAD Program participant will develop an individual Capstone project that identifies and proposes to address a current leadership, management, policy, or practice improvement challenge confronting his/her unit at UT Southwestern Medical Center (e.g., clinic, lab, research, or education team, division, department, or center).

LEAD Program participants will have considerable latitude to select problems of immediate relevance to their own professional practice and/or research and education. LEAD Program faculty provide feedback and refinements on proposed projects. It is not required that the Capstone project be implemented. All capstone projects will be presented during a summer lunch series as well as presented at a poster session in the fall.

Eligibility

Assistant Professors and Associate Professors (fewer than four years in rank) are eligible. Underrepresented in medicine faculty are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application

We are no longer accepting applications for LEAD 2023.

The following materials must be submitted:

  • A completed online application.
  • Curriculum vitae in standardized UT Southwestern P&T Format (Word template available under "Important Information").
  • New! We no longer accept letters of recommendation. Our program team will send an evaluation form directly to the applicant’s Chair/Center Director.

Faculty

Our team of directors, co-directors, and faculty include internationally recognized physicians, researchers, and administrators.

Cost

The LEAD Program is offered at no cost to the participants or their sponsors.