Academy-trained leaders share the value and benefits received from the academy’s five pillars of leadership focus: Lead, Organize, Collaborate, Communicate & Deliver.
Other Leadership Trainings from NACo include the High Performance Leadership Academy (HPLA), Artificial Intelligence Leadership Academy, and Cybersecurity Leadership Academy. Please complete the form below for more information.
Leading on Purpose is designed to be a follow up to the High Performance Leadership Academy. While it is not required to take HPLA, it is encouraged.
Leading On Purpose is a virtual 8-week program to help existing and emerging leaders alike reappraise any longstanding purpose or uncover one for the first time with the use of self-assessments, interactive exercises, online and real-time peer discussions, cohort-based webinars, and self-reflection. The end-goal is to realize increased clarity in your role as a leader and increased confidence in your ability to lead on purpose.
| 2025 | Kickoff | Graduation |
|---|---|---|
|
Leading on Purpose Leadership Academy (8 weeks) High Performance Leadership Academy (12 weeks) Artificial Intelligence Leadership Academy (6 weeks) |
10/20/2025 9/15/2025 11/3/2025 |
12/19/2025 12/19/2025 12/19/2025 |
| 2026 | Cohort #1 | Cohort #2 | Cohort #3 | Cohort #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
High Performance
Leadership Academy (10 weeks) Cyber Leadership Academy (10 weeks) Leading on Purpose Leadership Academy (8 weeks) Artificial Intelligence Leadership Academy (6 weeks) |
1/5/2026 1/5/2026 1/12/2026 2/2/2026 |
4/6/2026 4/27/2026 5/11/2026 |
7/13/2026 7/13/2026 7/27/2026 7/27/2026 |
10/5/2026 10/19/2026 11/2/2026 |
with Cohort Support from Your Peers
Needed for a Modern Workforce
(Global Government Forum, 2022)
World-class faculty of prominent public, private, and university sector leaders deliver each course with all module content guided by an expert moderator to keep participants on track.
100% online course delivery allows participants to continue working while learning
Participants progress through the academy with peers who share similar experiences
For both supervisors & those preparing to be a leader
NACo member-county per enrollee cost begins at $2,000
Assessing your purpose and knowing its importance
From basic needs, to belonging, to contributing value
It’s people serving people, then mission, vision, values
Providing great leadership from exemplary followership
Aligning awareness, decisions, and actions for success
Realizing the opportunity in every point of connection
Living with the perpetual need to do more with less
Measuring leadership (and life) on impact not intention
“This course not only inspired me to be a better leader it gave me the opportunity to practice new strategies to implement and a great cohort to share with every week.” —Recent Graduate
There were many ‘aha’ moments! Topics such as ‘touchpoints’ and ‘facing the giants’ were timely and made me realize how important such topics are and how many of us take those opportunities for granted.” —Recent Graduate
Our team of public sector leadership experts are here to assist your county train high-performing leaders in local government.
Using the form below, contact us today to learn more about NACo’s Leading on Purpose Academy & other leadership opportunities.
Spencer Taylor
National Operations Director
staylor@naco.org