S2A

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, provide support, and take action to help prevent the loss of life. At S2A, we understand the devastating impact suicide has on service members and their families. NILE was originally designed to address this very issue—combating the epidemic of suicide among military personnel by building an environment of connection, growth, and leadership development. By focusing on developing strong leaders and resilient teams, NILE equips NCOs with the tools needed to create positive cultural change, not just within their units, but also within themselves. Through encouraging open communication, empathy, and mental health awareness, we believe that together we can support service members before they reach a breaking point. As one NCO from Little Rock AFB expressed, “This ACTUALLY IS something that can bridge the gap with so many missing pieces in peoples’ lives and the culture.” This powerful statement reflects the essence of what NILE strives to achieve—not just leadership growth but holistic well-being. In fact, in a recent article on NILE, we discussed how leadership and culture can be life-changing. “Leadership is not just about mission readiness; it’s about the well-being of those you lead, both mentally and emotionally,” a sentiment shared by our team and highlighted in the piece. This underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing the deeper challenges faced by our military members. We know the road ahead is long, but we remain deeply committed to ensuring that NCOs have the tools and support to identify and address the signs of mental distress in themselves and their teams. If you or someone you know is struggling, don't hesitate to reach out. Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and no one should ever feel alone in the fight for their mental well-being. If you'd like to read more about how NILE is shaping a brighter future for our military members, check out our recent article here: https://lnkd.in/g3UsvNCY #SuicidePreventionMonth #MilitaryLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #LeadershipDevelopment 

We are always excited to unveil a new program, but I (Rachel Bauer) am particularly proud to introduce you to the Values-Driven Leadership (VDL) Program – the first I co-developed with Bradley Brezinski for S2A! In our early discussions with Johnson Investment Counsel, we explored their goal of transferring not just technical skills but also the deeply embedded values and culture that have driven their success. With many senior professionals nearing retirement, it became clear that preserving these values, while continuing to innovate, was crucial for developing the next generation of leaders. At Johnson Investment Counsel, their values are at the heart of everything they do, from delivering exceptional client service to fostering employee growth. With this in mind, we developed the Values-Driven Leadership Program to ensure that these values remain top of mind as their emerging leaders grow and develop. Key highlights of the program include: ▪ Authentic Leadership Development: Participants explore core and aspirational values, building a foundation for purpose-driven leadership. ▪ Active Listening and Communication Skills: The program emphasizes empathy and communication, teaching leaders to incorporate these skills into their daily interactions. ▪ Fostering Positive Culture: VDL focuses on cultivating a collaborative culture that promotes continuous growth, helping leaders create environments where everyone can thrive. ▪ Capstone Experience: Participants will culminate their learning by developing leadership initiatives that integrate personal and organizational values. We designed this program to be culturally responsive to the specific needs of Johnson Investment Counsel, and we look forward to iterating on it in the future to meet the unique challenges of other clients. This flexible, values-centered approach ensures that leaders are equipped not only for today’s challenges but also for those to come. We’ll continue to share more about the impact of this program as it continues over the next three months – stay tuned! #orgculture #leadershipdevelopment #leadersdevelopingleaders

Today, on the International Day of Charity, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible organizations making a tangible difference for veterans and their families. At S2A, we believe in the power of community and giving back, and we’re proud to support the efforts of these organizations that are doing essential work for those who have served. From providing housing and advocacy to training service dogs and supporting wounded warriors, these groups embody the spirit of care and compassion that uplifts individuals and transforms lives. Below are some of the organizations we hold in high regard for their commitment to veterans and their well-being. We encourage you to explore their work, get involved, and help spread the word. K9s For Warriors (National) - Provides highly-trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military trauma. As the world’s largest rescue to service program, they are also saving the lives of rescue dogs - giving them a second chance and new purpose. Donate here: https://lnkd.in/gJZEEubM Warrior Homesteads (Cincinnati) - Provides temporary and permanent housing and advocacy to homeless and at-risk veterans at no cost.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2VAqWDq Dog Training Elite and the Malinois Foundation (Cincinnati) - Provides veteran service dog training. Check them out:  https://lnkd.in/gwaWf35P SPCA Cincinnati - Enable veterans to adopt a pet for free. Learn about pet adoption sponsorships:  https://lnkd.in/g5mAxpbZ Soldiers' Angels (Global but active in Cincinnati) - Provides support programs to past and present service members. Get involved: https://lnkd.in/ggKdgCzn Wounded Warrior Project (National) - Their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/e43RAk9 Please share if you think others in your network would be interested in supporting these causes and if you have a favorite charity, please add it to the comments! #dayofcharity #supportveterans #veterans

Bradley Brezinski was in Durham, NC, leading an impactful Strategic Networks Workshop for Duke Corporate Education. Duke CE is a premier global provider of leadership solutions, empowering leaders at all levels to adapt and drive their organizations forward. We at S2A are truly honored to contribute to the exceptional work they are doing. Bonus Highlight! Brad also had the chance to catch a Durham Bulls game and dinner with our Chief of Staff, Amber Greene.  Since our team primarily works remotely, opportunities for in-person connections are sometimes rare—but always a treat when they happen! ⭐ Fun trivia: Can you name the 1988 classic film that put the Durham Bulls on the map?

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend! - The Team at S2A #laborday #teamculture

"Today, Women’s Equality Day, marks the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, a landmark achievement that granted women the right to vote—a right that was hard-fought and won through the tireless efforts of countless women and allies. Bella Abzug was a lawyer, congresswoman, and social activist who dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights, civil liberties, and social justice. She was also instrumental in establishing Women's Equality Day as a national observance in 1971, ensuring that the fight for gender equity remained in the national consciousness. Bella’s goal in establishing this day was not only for us to reflect on how far we have come, but more importantly, in reminding us of how important it is to keep going. Bella’s legacy is a powerful reminder that true equity transcends politics and is rooted in the universal values of fairness, respect, and empowerment. Her work was not just about securing legal rights but about creating a society where every woman has the opportunity to thrive—principles that we strive to embody in our own work. As we reflect on the significance of this day, let's also ask ourselves: How can we continue to advance equity in our workplaces, communities, and lives? What steps can we take, big or small, to ensure that the progress made is not just preserved but built upon?" - Rachel Bauer, Associate Director of Culture and Strategy Design #womensequalityday #workplaceequity #IGNITE

It’s a big week of celebration at S2A! We're recognizing the graduation of the first two IGNITE cohorts of one of our valued clients! Over the past year, these participants have collaborated closely, rotating mentee and mentor pairings to build authentic relationships, provide career feedback, expand networks, and learn about themselves as leaders. Additionally, they contributed invaluable feedback to us to shape the program for future team members. Please join us in celebrating this exceptional group of participants from Populous as they pave the way for their next generation of organizational leaders! #leadershipdevelopment #leadersdevelopingleaders #organizationalculture

Today, we recognize Robert Gagné, an important voice in learning design, on his birthday! Gagné is most known within the learning design field for his "Nine Events of Instruction" that he described in his book, "Conditions of Learning". Developed during a time when Gagné was heavily involved in training military personnel, these steps were designed to ensure that instruction was effective, efficient, and could be easily replicated across various contexts with measurable results. His framework remains a cornerstone in educational and corporate training programs around the world. Gagné's Nine Events of Instruction are: 1. Gain Attention: Capture the learner's interest to prepare them for learning. 2. Inform Learners of Objectives: Clearly outline what the learners will be able to do after the instruction. 3. Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning: Help learners connect new information with what they already know. 4. Present the Content: Deliver the content in a structured manner that aligns with the learning objectives. 5. Provide Learning Guidance: Offer tips, examples, and strategies to help learners understand the content. 6. Elicit Performance (Practice): Allow learners to apply what they've learned through practice. 7. Provide Feedback: Give constructive feedback to reinforce learning and correct misunderstandings. 8. Assess Performance: Test the learners to ensure they've mastered the objectives. 9. Enhance Retention and Transfer: Provide opportunities for learners to apply the knowledge in different contexts to solidify learning. S2A's learning events take inspiration from Gagne's influential work as we, too, seek to create the most effective learning experiences. So, on this day, we say, "Happy Birthday, Robert Gagné!" #InstructionalDesign #EducationalPsychology #RobertGagné #LearningAndDevelopment

The good news coming out of NILE continues! We were thrilled to be back at Kirtland Air Force Base serving the NCO community there this month. Our commitment to developing strong leaders and building a culture of growth and resilience is unwavering, and it’s deeply rewarding to see these efforts resonate with those who participate in the NILE program. The feedback from this cohort has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re excited to share some of their thoughts with you: “This course is filled with a boatload of valuable information that can help almost anyone improve their leadership abilities.” “Essential for brand new NCOs. Gave me names and definitions for leadership goals that I have been thinking about - allowing me to have a path forward.” “Its focus on connectivity is important. We talk of esprit de corps, but take for granted how to achieve it. The building blocks can be found here if the NCOs are willing to take them and use them.” “It is necessary to take classes like this if we want to change the culture of our force.” “Highly recommend. If you complain about the culture and the environment around you etc., this will give you the tools to effect change at least at your level.” “In my 11 years of service, this has been the most beneficial piece of the Air Force I have ever received.” “Every member of the military, no matter what branch, needs to have a similar kind of training.” If you’d like to learn more about how NILE can empower your leaders and enhance your organizational culture, please reach out. #LeadershipDevelopment #MilitaryLeadership #OrganizationalCulture #NILE

Exciting news— We’re thrilled to continue supporting Little Rock Air Force Base as they extend their NILE contract for another year! We're excited to continue bringing this life-changing program to their NCOs and are privileged to impact more lives. We’re deeply honored to keep partnering with their leadership in positively transforming their culture. This feedback from a recent cohort at Little Rock speaks volumes about the impact NILE is making: “NILE is amazing. It helps define who you are and how to be a better leader.” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 “This ACTUALLY IS something that can bridge the gap with so many missing pieces in peoples’ lives and the culture.” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 “If you apply yourself, pay attention and engage, the skills from this class have the potential to actually transform our culture at work.” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 “I couldn’t recommend this more to fellow NCO’s. It would even be good as a life course as well.” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 “It was a good class. You learn a lot about people and how different and similar you are!” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 “This is directly relevant to everything. If anyone tells you it’s a waste of time, they’re lying.” - NCO Participant, Little Rock AFB Cohort 24-05 If you would like to learn more about our NILE program, please check it out at: s2a(dot)org/NILE #militaryculture #militaryleadership #gsacontract