“Every manager, or anyone who leads people, needs to know about things like leadership styles, how to manage people, and giving effective feedback."
For more than a decade, Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Leadership Development Academy has been helping businesses across the Oklahoma City metro strengthen their teams by providing training to new supervisors.
What began as a single program for emerging leaders has evolved into a lineup of training options, shaped by employer feedback and the changing needs of the workforce. This fall, Francis Tuttle added an Advanced Leadership Academy, designed for employees who have been in management for a few years.
The Advanced Leadership Academy was added in response to feedback from employers looking for additional growth opportunities for employees who had been in their leadership positions for two to five years.
“They are craving more knowledge and extra help in leadership development,” said Missy Moore, program developer on Francis Tuttle’s Workforce and Economic Development team. “The Advanced Leadership Academy is designed to help employees who are looking for more of a deep dive on areas like coaching their employees, developing good management styles, and gaining clarity with their team goals.”
In total, 20 people enrolled in the Leadership Development Academy and 12 in the Advanced Leadership Academy this fall. Participants learned about a variety of topics like credibility, labor law compliance, giving and receiving effective feedback, emotional intelligence for leaders, and more.
Attendees came from a variety of industries, including banking, manufacturing, and food service. Local companies and organizations represented included the Northwest Oklahoma City Chamber, Ben E. Keith, and Direct Protective Services, to name a few.
“Every manager, or anyone who leads people, needs to know about things like leadership styles, how to manage people, and giving effective feedback,” Moore said.
Both academies hold half-day sessions to accommodate participants’ work schedules. Class size is intentionally kept small to create space for meaningful conversation, especially when discussing more challenging topics like conflict resolution.
Flexibility remains central to the leadership offerings. Classes are typically offered in both spring and fall, and when interest is high, morning and afternoon cohorts may open, Moore said. Francis Tuttle also offers custom on-site training for companies that want a private class tailored to their team’s needs.
Leadership training at Francis Tuttle will expand even further in 2026 with the launch of Frontline LeadershipTM. The 10-class program provides an opportunity for more in-depth learning since it is a 40-hour program, while the Leadership Development Academy and Advanced Leadership Academy run 15 to 18 hours, Moore explained. This program will meet in person every other Tuesday starting Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon on the Rockwell Campus. The deadline to register is Thursday, Dec. 11.
Additionally, dates have been announced for the next Leadership Development Academy. The first of five classes will be held on Thursday, March 12, and the registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 26. The next round of Advanced Leadership Academy is slated for fall 2026, with dates to be announced.
For help signing up or to ask questions about any leadership program, contact Missy Moore at missy.moore@francistuttle.edu.