cutting through the noise:
A focused training in leadership problem-solving for National Park management teams
Get practical tools and a way forward on a leadership challenge in four hours
Park leaders are often asked to move forward on complex issues where the path is not immediately clear.
In these situations, progress depends on the ability to step back, assess what is really happening, and apply a structured approach to decision-making and action.
This offering is a short-format, applied leadership training designed for National Park Service management teams, to build practical skills for diagnosing complex challenges and defining effective next steps.
Your team will bring a real problem, learn a new way to diagnose that problem, and develop next steps together.
what this training covers
In this training, you and your team will build capability in two critical leadership skills:
diagnosing complex challenges
developing clear interventions that mobilize people to make progress
You will practice these skills by applying them directly to a live challenge your team is facing
Common applications include:
navigating a complex stakeholder situation
addressing a team dynamic that is not improving
clarifying priorities when demands compete
preparing for a high-impact decision
How the Training Works
This is a structured two-session training series supported by a brief planning conversation.
Pre-Session: Planning Conversation
We begin with a short call with you to identify the focus issue and confirm the right participants. You will select up to five team members to join your for the two sessions.
Session 1: Diagnosing the Challenge (2.5 hours)
In the first session, you will learn and apply a structured approach to understanding complex leadership challenges.
You and your team will:
Learn practical diagnostic frameworks for leadership challenges
Apply those frameworks to a real issue in your park by:
distinguishing between surface symptoms and underlying causes
identifying key stakeholders and diagnosing their behavior
Define targeted next steps to gather additional insight
Between Sessions: Homework
You may gather additional input, test assumptions, or observe key dynamics using the approach introduced in Session 1.
Session 2: Developing Actionable Responses (2.5 hours)
In the second session, you will focus on turning insight into action.
You and your team will:
Refine your leadership diagnosis
Learn a model for leadership moves
Develop a clear set of leadership intiatives you will take forward
Who Should Participate
You (Superintendent)
Up to five key managers and leaders connected to the issue
The small-group format allows you to focus on a specific challenge and apply the training directly to your work.
What You’ll Leave With
You and your team will leave with:
a practical method for diagnosing complex leadership challenges
tools for distinguishing symptoms from underlying issues
a structured approach to developing actionable responses
experience applying these methods to a real situation
greater confidence addressing similar challenges in the future
Format
Two 2.5-hour virtual meetings with up to 6 people and one leadership faculty
Investment
$6,000
Our Experience with NPS
KONU has partnered with the National Park Service on leadership development programs for Superintendents across multiple regions.
We have also worked directly with park teams through targeted team development sessions designed to strengthen alignment, engagement, and performance.
Through this work, we have gained a deep appreciation for the realities of leading in the Park Service and the importance of strengthening leadership in ways that are practical, grounded, and mission-aligned.
Schedule a Conversation
If you would like to learn more or schedule your team’s training: