Nearly 70% of U.S. workers say they’d leave a job because of a bad manager, according to LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Confidence survey. The numbers are even higher among younger generations — 75% of Gen Z and 77% of millennials say poor leadership would push them to look elsewhere. For employers trying to keep their teams intact and engaged, investing in leadership is no longer optional. That’s where Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) comes in.
Schwenneker said the idea grew from conversations with employers who wanted more advanced development opportunities for their staff.
“Some people weren’t really ready for executive-level development, but they were ready for the next training,” she said.
The course includes five modules focused on building trust, leading with empathy, motivating across career stages, demonstrating resilience, and solving modern workplace challenges. Participants will learn practical strategies and are encouraged to apply lessons between sessions.
Schwenneker said many employees step into leadership roles without having strong role models or formal training. This course helps close that gap by equipping them with more tools they can use immediately.
“What kind of strategies can you implement to help create an environment where you have trust again?” she said, referencing the first module’s focus on repairing broken trust within teams.
She also emphasized the importance of understanding how employee motivation changes over the course of a career. Drawing on concepts from self-determination theory, the course explores how autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence workplace engagement.
“There’s so many things that we can do in the workplace. I think sometimes managers try to control things, especially when they’re new and they’re learning,” she said. “Particularly when people have had autonomy and you take it away, that tends to be a demotivator.”
Sessions run three hours weekly for five weeks. Designed for managers in any industry, the course is ideal for those who already have direct reports and want to sharpen their leadership skills.
Next cohort begins in September!
“I do encourage participants between classes to commit to something that you’ve learned and how you’re going to apply that,” she said.
Schwenneker said businesses also benefit from stronger leadership, which can improve retention, boost morale, and increase organizational adaptability.
“If employees are having a good experience with their manager, you’re more likely to retain those employees,” she said.
Schwenneker said participants should expect a mix of research-backed content and practical tools that can be implemented immediately. “I really focus on application, things that they can take with them and start using right away,” she said.
“If they are experiencing new challenges and wanting to stretch to the next thing, I think they will get a lot out of the class,” she added.
Learn more about EICC's leadership training and microcredentials.