Leading Into 2026: Unlearning the Habits That Keep Teams From Thriving

Course Description

Work is evolving faster than ever before. Rapid advances in technology, changing employee expectations, hybrid work environments, and ongoing disruption are reshaping what leadership requires today. However, many leaders are still relying on approaches that worked in the past—habits, beliefs, and leadership styles that may now hinder innovation, engagement, and long-term growth.

Unlearning: The Leadership Upgrade No One Talks About is a practical and reflective leadership session that encourages leaders to intentionally update how they lead by embracing unlearning. Instead of focusing only on gaining new skills, this session invites leaders to examine which behaviors, assumptions, and mindsets they may need to release in order to lead effectively in today’s ever-changing workplace.

Unlearning does not mean discarding experience or expertise. It means having the awareness and courage to challenge long-standing beliefs, recognize default leadership patterns, and let go of practices that no longer serve modern teams. Leaders who unlearn create space for curiosity, experimentation, and ongoing improvement—key elements of adaptability and sustainable success.

During this session, Melissa Severance, PCC, guides participants through an exploration of how their leadership “operating system” was formed and whether it aligns with the realities of today’s work environment. Using real-world examples and practical frameworks, leaders will examine how unconscious habits, outdated expectations, and fixed mindsets can unintentionally slow progress or limit innovation.

Participants will discover how unlearning strengthens decision-making, deepens relationships, and supports more inclusive leadership. By shifting from certainty to curiosity and from control to trust, leaders can foster environments where people feel confident sharing ideas, contributing fully, and growing professionally. This mindset shift improves engagement and performance while modeling the continuous learning organizations need to succeed.

The session is highly action-oriented, helping leaders identify one or two leadership behaviors they can begin to unlearn right away. Participants will explore practical strategies such as gathering feedback, testing new approaches, and reframing mistakes as opportunities for learning. Leaders will also gain tools to promote unlearning within their teams, strengthening psychological safety and encouraging innovation.

Whether leading a small business, a growing team, or a large organization, this webinar offers a fresh and relevant approach to leadership development. Participants will leave with greater clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies to evolve their leadership mindset—so they are not just reacting to change, but confidently leading through it.

The pace of change in today’s workplace has outgrown many traditional leadership models. Technology advancements, shifting employee needs, generational diversity, and ongoing uncertainty demand leaders who can adapt quickly. Yet many leaders continue operating from familiar habits and assumptions that no longer support their teams or organizations.

Unlearning has become a vital leadership capability for navigating complexity and change. It is not about erasing past knowledge; it is about questioning what no longer fits, challenging default behaviors, and making room for new ways of thinking and leading. This session highlights how unlearning serves as a powerful leadership upgrade—helping leaders remain relevant, resilient, and effective in the future of work.

Areas Covered:-

• The meaning of unlearning and its relevance for today’s leaders
• Why learning more does not always result in leading better
• Common outdated leadership beliefs that restrict growth and innovation
• Identifying leadership behaviors driven by habit rather than intention
• How curiosity and humility build trust and adaptability
• Practical approaches to unlearning, relearning, and experimentation
• Encouraging innovation and continuous learning within teams
• Leading effectively through uncertainty and change.

Learning Objectives:-

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand unlearning as a critical leadership skill in times of rapid change and disruption.
• Recognize leadership beliefs and behaviors that may be limiting adaptability, innovation, and growth.
• Apply practical strategies—such as curiosity, feedback, and experimentation—to evolve their leadership approach.

Why Should You Attend?

If leadership feels more challenging than it once did—or if strategies that used to work are no longer delivering results—this session is designed for you.

You will gain a deeper understanding of why unlearning is essential for agility, innovation, and trust, and how leaders who lead with curiosity and humility often outperform those who rely solely on past success. This webinar offers practical tools to help leaders step out of autopilot, rethink familiar leadership habits, and intentionally evolve alongside their teams and organizations.

Who Should Attend?

• Small Business Owners
• Executives and Senior Leaders
• Managers and Supervisors
• HR and People Leaders
• Entrepreneurs and Founders
• Leaders navigating growth, change, or organizational transformation.