Season of Learning 🍂


Dear Reader,

I’m sitting in our medical lab, about to host our monthly team meeting. Twenty faculty members are cramming in between their classes for this meeting. I’m the dean of education, and we have no proper meeting room, so here we are. This is 18 years ago.

This is the same lab where I have been asked to do things not in my job description, like give blood for phlebotomy students learning to use needles and urine to test. Thank goodness they never gave me a surprise pregnancy announcement. And I did so with joy because, well, students were learning.

So I had 30 minutes with this group once per month, and I had so much to share.

A typical meeting looked like this: Here’s the agenda, including the 45 things I wanted to cover. It was efficient, fast-paced, to the point, and high return on investment for this small block of time. At the time, I thought that the best meeting was when no one was talking but me.

And there were always these 2 eager-to-share people.

They would raise their hand, or just interject, like this: I have an idea! What if we… Or why do we need to do that?

They clearly didn’t know that I would secretly seethe it every time. Didn’t they know that decisions were made? I don’t have time to explain. Now just get on board!

Since then, I’ve learned a thing or 2. Now, when I work with groups, I have a chance to use my own lived experience to share, firsthand, that how we once operated does not need to be our forever-state. Even though I still like a fast pace, I am now collaborative. I seek to hear others' perspectives. I report information with a pre-recorded video instead of in a meeting, and I try my best to use time together for creativity and dialogue.

What have you learned along the way?

With gratitude, Julie


Celebrating Our STEP Academy Graduates 🎓🎉

You've taken the leap into the next level of leadership—and succeeded. Through commitment, courage, and continuous growth, you’ve built the mindset, skills, and connections to thrive. Your journey through the STEP Academy marks a powerful transition, and we’re proud to celebrate your success as empowered, impactful leaders ready to shape the future.


🎉 STEP Academy Registration Opens June 9, 2025!

Are you ready to thrive at your next level of leadership?
The Successful Transition Empowerment Program (STEP Academy) is designed for leaders like you—those stepping into greater responsibility and eager to grow.

Whether you’ve just transitioned or are preparing for what’s next, STEP Academy offers:
✨ A supportive community of driven peers
✨ Proven tools to elevate your leadership and empower your team
✨ Dedicated time for your growth and development

🔓 Mark your calendar: Registration opens June 9, 2025!
Don’t miss your chance to take the STEP forward in your leadership journey.


Masterclass: Leading During Times of Uncertainty

Coming June 16 | 11:00 AM–12:15 PM (AZ Time)
Lancaster Leadership Masterclass – Just $29!(Valued at $200)

Join Julie Lancaster for a powerful 75-minute session packed with real-world stories and actionable strategies for leading in uncertain times. You'll gain tools to communicate clearly, solve problems adaptively, and lead with purpose.

🎁 Includes a FREE Micro-Learning Course ($149 value)
🎥 Recording provided to all attendees


🚀 Level Up Your Leadership—For Free!

Who says learning has to be boring (or expensive)? Dive into Free Education for Leaders—our YouTube playlist packed with quick, powerful lessons from the Lancaster Leadership team. Whether you're sipping coffee or stuck in traffic, you can sharpen your skills, boost your influence, and actually enjoy the process.

🎥 Hit play, learn something new, and lead like never before—anytime, anywhere, no strings attached!

Check out these links:

These videos are between 3 minutes to 18 minutes long.

What to do in the first 2 weeks in a new leadership role?

Courageous Conversations

Creating a Culture of Trust and High Morale

True Colors Personality Assessment & Giving Constructive Feedback

Learn How to Improve your Comfort and Results with "Courageous Conversations"

Performance & Corrective Feedback

Creating an Aspirational Obituary

Emerging Leaders Interview

Influence Series: Negotiation

Moving Beyond the Back-to-back Meeting Culture

Story: We are Unique

Leadership Reboot & Stress Management

Aging, Games, and Music

Influence Series: Social Competence & Overcoming Awkwardness

Work Reimagined Project: How-To

Goal Setting & Strategic Planning

What actually is “Authentic Leadership”?

How to Take a Vacation, Really

Creating a Leadership Philosophy

Using Creativity and Challenging Identity


🌟 Leadership Academies 🌟

Level 1 — Excellence in Leadership

Level 2 — The Elevate Institute

  • Level 1: Build essential leadership skills, boost collaboration, and align teams with 65 topics, peer support, and a capstone project.
  • Level 2: Take the next step. Deepen your influence, lead through complexity, and drive innovation with coaching, 360 feedback, and advanced strategy.

🎓 University credit available for both levels!

Click the links to access the Informational Flyers!

Leadership Academy Level 1.pdf

Leadership Academy Level 2.pdf


Power Phrase of the Month:
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe

Will you join us?

Join our mailing list to receive monthly newsletters and updates on upcoming courses. We share our Leadership Toolbox, Resources and more!

Read more from Will you join us?

Dear Reader, I had such a wonderful conversation recently on Chamber Bizz Buzz with Julie Pastrick, President & CEO of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. We talked about what it really means to lead with purpose—how to create change, support growth, and help people stretch into their potential. If you’ve ever wondered how intentional leadership can shape not just teams, but whole communities, I think you’ll enjoy this one. Listen to the full episode here. ~ Julie 🗓️ 5 Events for you!...

Hi there, Ideas don’t move because they’re loud.They move because people trust the voice behind them. This year’s Women’s Leadership Summit is built around one powerful truth: Collective Influence: How Ideas Actually Move Not through titles.Not through force.But through connection, credibility, and shared belief. Women’s Summit 2026 is designed for leaders who know that influence today isn’t about having the most answers—it’s about knowing how to shape thinking, align people, and move ideas...

Dear Reader, I think I want ease and creativity to be my compass next year. Progress is better than perfection, right? I believe in the sh*tty first draft philosophy, so instead of not revealing my next year's intention until it's fully baked, I like revealing my working draft. How do you want to show up in 2026? It's your life and your journey and you get to choose. 🌟 Moments We’re Celebrating 💙 A Raving Thank You to Our 2025 Partners Your commitment to leadership development, community, and...