All program outlines have been categorized to suggest their “best fit” or “maximized potential for impact” using three topic levels. These categories are the result of an extensive review of the more established and effective leadership development programs in the country and are provided as a guide. They offer a context for the placement and selection of leadership development training topics based on the premise some skills are fundamental to the practice of leadership, making the way for not only a more developed skill set, but a more relevant understanding of leadership. This is only a guide, any of the program outlines can be combined to make a system.


• Topic Level: Foundations First [FF]
• Topic Level: Taking it Higher [TH]
• Topic Level: Beyond Self to the Common Good [CG]

Topic Level: Foundations First [FF]


Program outlines identified under “Foundations First” are generally intended to be for participants who are new to leadership development and have had relatively few opportunities to assume leadership positions or receive any previous training. These topics also “insert” well into leadership series, courses and one-shot training efforts. The topics in this category are fundamental tools for all leaders and it is recommended that participants receive exposure to most of the topics in this category to ensure a solid foundation for additional skill building, and leadership education.

Topic Level: Taking it Higher [TH]


Taking it Higher program outlines represent leadership skills or concepts that are best learned and appreciated because participants can identify with their own life experiences or recognize the value and relevancy to their own lives. Participants might also possess previous leadership involvements or work experience where many of the fundamental skills sets and concepts have already been acquired – or, they have participated in earlier leadership development of a related topic. These topics are also best suited for a higher level of maturity and intellectual development.

Topic Level: Beyond Self to the Common Good [CG]


Inherent in the very definition of Zing!™ is the “ability to override competing forces to positively influence others towards a greater social good.” The outcome and intent of Zing!™ is to make the world a better place, to use one’s aptitudes to demonstrate their gratitude and to serve the common good. Leadership programming designed to develop skills and perspectives of the world also needs to be intentional in articulating a vision of “common good.” Program outlines in this category move the participant from their own direct skill development to that of reaching and serving others. It is recommended these programs are towards the end of a series or build upon previous levels.



Foundations First Program Outlines [FF]


• Change: You Want Me to Do What? Change Implementation Strategies

• Communication Skills: It’s Not What you Say, But How You Say It

• Communication Skills: Listen Up or Lead Down!

• Creativity: Step One is to Consider Yourself Creative!

• Goal Setting: Increasing the Odds of Achievement: How to Establish and Implement Goals

• Greek Life: P.R. is Everything You Do: Public Relations for the Greek Lead

• Greek Life: Recruiting Future Chapter Leaders

• Group Work: Making the Group: Strategies for Effectively Working in Groups

• Leadership: Zing! Your Life and Leadership: The Opportunity

• Leadership: Zing! Your Life and Leadership: The Obligation

• Motivation: Are You Fit to Lead? Self-Energizing Strategies for Student Leaders

• Promotion and Publicity: Is a Program Successful if No One Comes?

• Recruitment and Retention: We Want More! Recruitment and Retention for Student Leaders

• Stress Management: The Mess of Stress

• Team Building: Beyond a Team of One… How to Play Well with Others!

• Time Management and Organizational Skills: The Art of Organization and Doing It All



Taking it Higher Program Outlines [TH]


• Change: Chaos or Constructive Change? How to Deal Effectively with Officer and Organizational Transition

• Communication Skills: Believe Me… It’s You! Strategies for Dealing with Difficult People Through Effective Confrontation

• Communication Skills: Bringing Your Interpersonal Influence to the Surface

• Communication Skills: Networking and the Art of Conversation

• Communication Skills: What Language is That? Gender Issues in Communication

• Delegation: Because You Can! Learning to Delegate

• Goal Setting: The Role of Vision in Leadership

• Greek Life: Holding Others to Higher Standards

• Greek Life: Self-Governing Greek Systems: The Myth and The Reality

• Greek Life: Tradition, Change and the Future of Fraternities

• Humor: Laughter, Living and Learning: The Use of Humor in Building Relationships

• Integrity: The Bar has been Raised: How to Build Personal Integrity

• Personality Styles: Discovering the Full Color of Your Zing!™ Leadership Personality

• Public Speaking: Say IT with Style and Substance: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

• Relationship Building: Building Relationships that Work!

• Self-Esteem: The Mirror Has Two Faces: How to Build Your Self-Esteem

• Team Building: Staff Synergy: To Be or Not to Be?



Beyond Self to the Common Good Program Outlines


• Advisor Training: Advising for Success: Strategies for Empowerment

• Community Building: Community Begins with See!

• Customer Service: Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed! Looking Good by Knowing Bad!

• Diversity Appreciation: Defining Diversity Differently

• Leadership: Zing! Your Life and Leadership (General Overview)

• Motivation: The Art of Inspiring Others to Do Great Things

• Motivation: You Make a Difference! How to Recognize and Reward Difference Makers

• Orientation Leaders: The Role of the OL… It’s a TOOTSIE!

• Respect: The Rules of Respect and Civility

• Supervision: Supervising for Success: Strategies of Empowerment