Leaders don’t grow in a weekend: Insights from the latest ARLP journal and podcast
Leadership growth is a journey, not a quick fix. The latest ARLP journal and podcast episode titled Why Weekend Leadership Workshops Fail makes this clear. In this solo episode, Al Rogers shares why leadership development needs more than a weekend workshop to truly stick. He explains three key conditions that make leadership growth last: confidential, practical, and measurable work built on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which means "I am because we are."
This post explores those ideas, shares lessons from five years of the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District’s Principals’ Community of Practice, and offers four practical steps any leader can start this week. Along the way, I’ll reference important research and point you to ARLP’s resources for deeper learning.
Why weekend workshops don’t create lasting leadership growth
Weekend leadership workshops are popular. They promise quick skills, motivation, and new ideas. But the reality is different. Leaders often leave feeling inspired but struggle to apply what they learned once back in their daily roles. The growth fades fast.
Al Rogers explains that leadership growth needs three conditions to stick:
Confidential work: Leaders need safe spaces where they can share challenges honestly without fear of judgment.
Practical work: Learning must connect directly to real problems leaders face every day.
Measurable work: Progress should be tracked with clear goals and feedback.
These conditions create a foundation for growth that lasts beyond a weekend.
The idea of Ubuntu supports this approach. Ubuntu means "I am because we are." It reminds us that leadership is not just about individual skills but about relationships and community. Growth happens when leaders connect, support each other, and learn together.
Lessons from Galt Joint Union Elementary School District’s Principals’ Community of Practice
Al Rogers walks us through five years of the Principals’ Community of Practice in the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District. This group of school leaders met regularly to support each other’s growth. They built trust, shared real challenges, and worked on practical solutions together.
One year was especially hard. The group faced setbacks and frustrations. But because they had built a strong foundation of confidentiality and practical work, they stayed committed. They measured their progress and adjusted their approach. This resilience helped them grow stronger as leaders and as a community.
This example shows how leadership growth is a process. It takes time, effort, and a supportive environment. Quick workshops can’t replace this kind of ongoing work.
Four things any leader can start this week
You don’t need to wait for a formal program to begin growing as a leader. Here are four practical steps you can take right now:
Create a confidential space
Find or build a group where you can share challenges honestly. This could be a peer group, mentor relationship, or coaching circle.
Focus on practical problems
Choose one real leadership challenge you face. Work on solutions that you can apply immediately.
Set measurable goals
Define clear, simple goals for your leadership growth. Track your progress weekly or monthly.
Build community around Ubuntu
Connect with others who share your values. Support each other’s growth and celebrate successes together.
These steps reflect the core ideas from the ARLP podcast and journal. They help leaders move beyond quick fixes to real, lasting growth.
Research that supports lasting leadership growth
The October 2026 ARLP journal includes full citations for important research that backs these ideas:
Edmondson (1999): Psychological safety in work teams is essential for open communication and learning.
Mangaliso (2001): Ubuntu can be a competitive advantage by fostering collaboration and trust.
Di Stefano, Gino, Pisano & Staats (2016): Learning by thinking deeply about problems improves skill development.
Taylor et al. (2014): Fidelity of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles in healthcare shows the importance of measuring progress.
Harkin et al. (2016): Monitoring goal progress increases motivation and success.
These studies highlight why leadership growth needs safe spaces, practical work, and measurable goals.
Explore ARLP’s resources for leadership growth
If you want to dive deeper into these ideas, ARLP offers several helpful resources:
The October 2026 journal contains detailed articles and research on leadership growth. You can explore back issues for more insights.
ARLP’s online courses provide structured learning experiences that focus on practical leadership skills and community building.
You can book a conversation with Al Rogers to discuss your leadership challenges and get personalized guidance.
The ARLP podcast page hosts the full episode of Why Weekend Leadership Workshops Fail and other episodes focused on leadership development.
These resources support leaders who want to build lasting growth, not just quick fixes.
Leadership growth is a journey that requires time, trust, and practical effort. Weekend workshops may inspire, but they rarely create lasting change. The ARLP podcast and journal remind us that growth happens when leaders work confidentially, focus on real problems, measure progress, and build community based on Ubuntu.
By applying these principles and using ARLP’s resources, leaders can create meaningful, measurable improvements in their organizations. Start today by creating a safe space, tackling a real challenge, setting clear goals, and connecting with others who share your values.
For more insights and tools, visit the ARLP podcast page and explore the October 2026 journal. If you want to talk through your leadership journey, consider booking a conversation with Al Rogers.
Leadership growth takes time, but with the right approach, it will stick.
References for research mentioned are available in the October 2026 ARLP journal.
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