Frequently Asked Questions 

The Lotus Leadership Conference is a virtual leadership development experience designed for STEM professionals who want to grow their leadership capability with intention.

Rather than focusing on titles or generic leadership topics, Lotus is structured around career stages and core leadership competencies, helping participants understand where they are in their development and how to progress with clarity and purpose.

Lotus is designed for professionals across STEM disciplines who are:

• Individual contributors looking to expand influence and impact

• People leaders responsible for managing teams and performance

• Senior leaders shaping direction, systems, and future leadership capacity

If you are interested in developing leadership skills that support personal effectiveness, team success, and organizational impact, Lotus is designed for you.

The conference runs from 9:00am–2:00pm PT and is designed as a progressive learning experience that balances inspiration, practical skill-building, and reflection.

The live conference includes:

• A shared opening keynote and live conversation

• Two career band–specific learning sessions, each focused on a distinct leadership competency

• Facilitated small-group peer discussions to support reflection and application

• Optional lunch programming

• A closing synthesis and guidance on next steps
  
  

For participants who want to continue developing the leadership skills introduced during the conference, there is an optional post-conference learning opportunity:

• Two (2) one-hour group coaching sessions, led by the same trainer who facilitated your career band session

• Sessions are scheduled a few weeks apart, allowing time to apply learning between sessions

• Coaching focuses on moving from awareness to consistent performance through practice, reflection, and guided discussion
  
  

This structure allows participants to gain immediate insight during the conference and, if desired, continue developing those skills with intentional support over time.

Career bands group participants based on the nature of their responsibilities, not job titles.

You should choose the career band that best reflects how you currently contribute at work:

• Individual Contributors – You contribute through technical expertise and collaboration but do not have direct reports.

• People Leaders (Managers) – You are responsible for leading people, managing performance, and developing others.

• Senior People Leaders – You lead at a strategic or systems level, influencing across teams or functions.
  
  

If you’re unsure, select the band that best aligns with the majority of your day-to-day responsibilities.

Each session introduces a STEM Connect leadership competency relevant to your career stage.

You’ll explore:

• Why the competency matters for effectiveness and growth

• What it looks like at different levels of proficiency

• How it impacts you personally, your team, and the broader organization
  
  

Small-group discussions help you reflect, learn from peers, and contextualize the concepts to your real work.

Lotus is designed to be interactive and reflective, not passive.

You can expect:

• Engaging, structured webinars
  
  

• Optional participation in small-group discussions
  
  

• Opportunities to reflect, share insights, and learn from others
  
  

Participation is encouraged but never forced. Cameras and sharing levels are always optional.

Lotus is designed to meet participants where they are.

The sessions focus on awareness and foundational understanding first, making the experience accessible whether you are new to leadership development or have prior experience. You’ll gain clarity on what growth looks like at your stage without pressure to already have everything figured out.

Yes. Participants who want to continue developing the leadership skills introduced at the conference will have the option to participate in:

Two (2) one-hour group coaching sessions, led by the same trainer who facilitated your career band session.

These sessions are designed to help participants:

• Apply insights to real workplace challenges

• Practice leadership behaviors intentionally

• Progress from awareness to consistent performance
  
  

This pathway supports sustained development beyond the conference itself.

No. The conference is a complete learning experience on its own.

The group coaching sessions are an optional opportunity for those who want additional support, practice, and accountability as they apply what they learned.

Lotus is intentionally designed to be:

• Career-stage specific

• Competency-based rather than topic-based

• Grounded in reflection and application

• Connected to ongoing development opportunities
  
  

This approach helps participants move beyond inspiration toward meaningful, practical growth.

Yes. Lotus is designed specifically with STEM professionals in mind.

The leadership competencies explored complement technical expertise by strengthening communication, influence, decision-making, and collaboration—skills that are critical for long-term success in technical environments.

No formal preparation is required.

Participants are encouraged to:

• Join with curiosity and openness

• Reflect honestly during discussions

• Be willing to consider new perspectives on leadership and growth
  
  

A notebook or digital notes may be helpful for capturing insights.

Many managers and leaders encourage their teams to attend Lotus because it:

• Supports leadership growth at all levels

• Builds shared language around leadership competencies

• Encourages intentional development without disrupting work demands
  
  

The career-band structure allows teams with diverse roles to attend together while still receiving relevant learning.

No.  To ensure a safe, authentic, and high-trust environment for all participants, we do not record the career-band learning sessions or small-group discussions.