New Manager 2-Day Intensive: Essential Leadership Skills for New Water & Wastewater Utility Leaders

This two-day intensive program is designed to equip new managers in the water and wastewater utilities industry with the leadership skills needed to succeed. Participants will develop essential leadership competencies including communication, managing up delegation, decision-making, time management, and team building - critical for leading effectively in a highly regulated and evolving sector. Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain practical strategies to build strong teams, manage up, enhance efficiency, and lead with confidence.

Day 1 Topics
Topic 1: The Role of a Water/Wastewater Utility Leader
Understanding the transition from individual contributor to manager; Key responsibilities of a water/wastewater utility manager; Leadership vs. Management: striking the right balance.

Topic 2: Communication, Self-Awareness, and the Art of Managing Up
Building trust and credibility with your team and leadership; Active listening and clear communcation strategies; Self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Topic 3: The Power of Delegation
Understanding what to delegate and what to own; Overcoming common delegation challenges; Leveraging delegation to build team capability and engagement.

Day 2 Topics
Topic 4: Decision-Making and Problem-Solving in Utilities
Analyzing risks and making informed decisions under pressure; Problem-solving frameworks for operational challenges.

Topic 5: Building High-Performing Teams
Creating a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration; Managing diverse teams and resolving conflicts effectively; Strategies for motiving and retaining top talent

Topic 6: Mastering Time and Task Management
Prioritizing high-impact activities in a demanding environment; Managing competing priorities and avoiding burnout; Tools and techniques for imporving productivity.

Class will be held virually on the Zoom platform. All participants will need access to a computer or tablet that has Zoom videoconferencing software installed, and a good internet connection. If you don't yet have Zoom, you can sign up and download here. You do not have to purchase a subscription to Zoom.

Please Note:
1. We are reserving 5 seats for people of small systems (<10,000 population served) and need a minimum of three small systems to register for class. Any remaining seats, of these 5, that are not filled, will be filled from the Wait List in the order in which they were received. Participants will be made known if they are on the Wait List, and if they are move to the active roster. Please don't hesitate to contact Jason should you have any questions.


To sign up for this 2-7-Day course, Register Online, or contact Jason Blais.

Date: June 17 & 18, 2025 (#2025-16)

Location: Virutal (will be held on Zoom)

Time:
Attendance: 7:45AM - 8:00AM
Class Time: 8:00AM – 12:00PM (includes breaks & lunch break)
We will email all registrants a remider a day or two prior to class with additional information, including the Zoom link

Class Fee (per registrant):
MassRWA Members: Free
Non-Members: Free

Agency Approval: 8.0 Water & Wastewater TCH's

Instructor: Dr. Maurine Kwende - EMK Learning Solutions, LLC.
Dr. Kwende is a leadership connoisseur who transforms leaders and executives into inspiring leaders through her EMK Learning Solutions company. With over 25 years of experience, she's a sought-after speaker, executive leadership coach, trainer, consultant, educator, and author who empowers organizations to build unstoppable workforces. EMK Learning Solutions' signature Workforce Leadership Academy equips leaders with the skills to become the kind of leaders people want to work for. Her expertise spans leadership development, executive coaching, impactful training programs, and innovative instructional design. She has worked with many state and federal agencies and water and wastewater utility companies. She is also a certified DISC and FACET 5 Consultant. She holds a Ph.D. in Learning Technologies Design Research and a Chief Talent Officer Executive Certification from George Mason University.


REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Cancellation Policy:
Individuals registered for one of our training classes, seminars, and/or conferences will be charged the class fee if we have not received notice of canellation at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of class. Anyone contacting MassRWA to cancel enrollment in a training session will receive a cancellation number. In the event of an emergency, which would prevent attendance, please contact MassRWA as soon as possible with the details.

Consent to Use Photographic Images, Videos, & Recordings:
Registration and/or attendance at, and/or participation in, MassRWA's meetings, trainings, and other seminars constitutes an agreement by the attendee to MassRWA's use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the attendee's image or voice in photographs, videos/videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audi files, tapes of such events and activities. This include permission to record sessions and streaming events.