All About Leadership Bootcamps
In my last blog post, I teased Elevate Labs’ three new core products and promised a deep dive into each. We’re starting off this week with the Leadership Bootcamps!
What are Leadership Bootcamps?
Leadership Bootcamps are an immersive, virtual learning experience for managers and leaders at different levels to radically upskill in the core technical skills of management. At a Bootcamp, you’ll learn the “why” behind different management concepts, experience a concrete tool to help you succeed, and practice that tool with your peers. The bootcamp lasts for a month, and includes 3 live half-day sessions (virtually) as well as work that you’ll do in the course of your day-to-day job.
At Elevate Labs, we believe that learning is only useful if you apply it and if you learn through your peers. Our Bootcamps include both of these components. Let me walk you through a specific example: we know that giving feedback is really critical and yet one of the hardest things for managers to master. In our Bootcamp, you’ll learn the why - the science behind why feedback is so critical; you’ll master an easy 5 step process to giving feedback; you’ll practice it with a core group of peers, your Leadership Board; and then you’ll actually give the feedback to your direct report. We don’t just talk about applying your learning on the job, we hold you accountable for it!
Sounds cool, but do they actually work?
Oh I’m so glad you asked! Our Leadership Bootcamps are based on a model that Katie & David refined at Marriott for managers ranging from front-line leaders to the hotel’s executive committee. In two years, over 30,000 leaders were trained using this approach, with some really great results!
“For the first time, I feel like a boss of myself and my emotions.” - Elevate by Marriott International participant, 2024
“The emphasis on leadership development has helped me refine my communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, essential for success in any professional setting.” - Elevate by Marriott International participant, 2024
21% increase in understanding the skills needed to succeed as a manager (Elevate by Marriot International)
“This program reshaped how I see myself as a leader of the future. It’s not just about being in charge; it’s about empowering others, fostering trust, and leading with purpose. EMBARK showed me the importance of staying adaptable, being open to feedback, and always prioritizing the well-being and growth of those around us.” - Embark participant, 2025
“This transformative experience has provided me with invaluable insights into leadership and has motivated me to fully embrace my potential. I've had the privilege of connecting with an incredible network of professionals who have inspired and supported one another throughout this journey.” - Elevate by Marriott International participant, 2025
Substantial changes from before to after in: having a plan for when they have a strong emotional reaction at work (17% increase), understanding of how to provide effective feedback (12% increase), ability to effectively communicate across backgrounds (17% increase).
“This learning opportunity equips leaders with the core capabilities to deliver results, develop other, and create belonging within teams.” - Manager of Envision participant, 2025
“Thank you for an excellent learning opportunity. It was insightful, engaging, and well structured course. Thank you for guiding us through this course. The knowledge and skills I've gained are invaluable.” - Embark participant, 2024
Who should be in these Bootcamps?
One of the lessons we learned from running similar programs at Marriott is that one of the best parts of the training is engaging with people across fields, roles, industries, and geographies. To continue that approach, we are offering these Bootcamps as open enrollment to people across organizations.
Each Bootcamp will have a slightly different target audience. Our first Bootcamp in July will focus on “Team Effectiveness,” and we’d recommend it if:
You manage a team of people and want them to do their best work
You may have gotten some training or support on how to manage a team, but it was a long time ago or not quite enough
You want your team to work more seamlessly together and without constant hands-on support
You feel like you can’t get out of the weeds to be strategic, and you want to reclaim your time and energy
Your team isn’t quite gelling and you’re not sure what to do
You have a consistent performance challenge on your team and you’re not sure how to improve it
You want to expand your knowledge of how people lead and manage others outside your organization
What is a Leadership Board?
At Elevate Labs, we talk a lot about the difference between allies and confidants. Allies are the people in the trenches with you - they’re doing the work with you, and they want you to succeed, but their own success is tied up in your success. They’re not impartial: they have opinions about how the work gets done, because it impacts them. On the other hand, confidants are people who have no stake in your work, they just care about you.
As a manager, it’s often hard to find confidants - and in particular, people you can confide in about managing your team. You can’t confide up or down, because their are real job implications. Confiding in your peers can create challenges for your team. Leadership can be really lonely!
During a Leadership Bootcamp, you’ll be paired with a team of up to 5 people as your Leadership Board. Throughout the live virtual sessions, you’ll have frequent opportunities to discuss and practice with your Board. You’ll be able to get real about the problems you’re facing and the changes you want to make. Between sessions, you’ll continue collaborating through our online portal: discussing key issues, practicing tools in the workplace, and giving each other feedback on your work. And after the program, you’ll have your own personal Leadership Board who can help you navigate challenges and issues that come up.
Here are some quotes from participants in similar programs about their groups:
“I got to know my peers in the program through the live circles, which was really cool. And we’re actually going to stay connected, we have each others’ contact information” - participant in Elevate by Marriott International, 2024
“It’s super exciting to know that you’re [working with] people from different backgrounds, or speaking with others who have different backgrounds and histories. And seeing we had so much in common, and we had so much to offer to each other.” - participant in Elevate by Marriott International, 2024
Sounds amazing, how do I sign up?
You can learn more about our July Bootcamp on Team Effectiveness, or just sign right up!
After having seen this transform people’s teams and lives all over the world, we’re so excited to be bringing it out for open access. And in addition to all of the actually useful manager stuff, you’ll likely also get to see me dancing badly in my seat, waving my hand maniacally, or demonstrating new LEGO contraptions. So many great things all for one low price!