Leadership Class

The SMPS Austin Leadership Program, Wisdom@Work, is a leadership cohort designed for members navigating careers in the AEC industry. This program is a direct expression of SMPS Austin’s mission of “business transformed through marketing leadership” and is grounded in the belief that depth is not a luxury, it is load-bearing.

Rather than another leadership seminar built around tactics and templates, Wisdom@Work invites participants into a slower, more honest kind of development, one that integrates who you are becoming with the work you are already doing. Across a 9-month sustained cohort experience, participants explore three interwoven phases of growth: True Self, True Work, and True Purpose.

The Three Phases

True Self: This phase is a grounding in self-awareness, understanding the patterns, defenses, and strengths you bring into leadership.

True Work: This phase focuses on your work with others. Building psychological safety, trust, and the capacity to hold difficult conversations with clarity and care.

True Purpose: This phase is about aligning your leadership with what matters most to you, your firm, and the people you lead, whether you are in a titled leadership position or not.

Who This Program Is For

How This Program Works

Step One: Interested participants sign up by a specific date.

Step Two: SMPS Austin confirms your spot in the cohort. Cohort sizes may be limited. Payment details will be sent and must be received before the Kick-Off to be eligible.

Step Three: The cohort begins! There will be a Kick-Off gathering with the program concluding with a closing celebration. Specific dates and time frame to be determined. 

In addition to monthly cohort sessions, participants will have access to reflection tools and evaluation check-ins throughout the program to track growth across each phase.

Fees

Member rate: COMING SOON

Non-member rate: COMING SOON

Advice for Future Participants

Clarify Your Objectives: Start by asking yourself, “What do I hope to become through this cohort?” Bring that question with you into every session.

Make Space for Depth: This isn’t a program to check a box. Give yourself permission to slow down and sit with the questions it raises.

Show Up for the Cohort: Your fellow participants are part of the work. Trust and honesty build over time, and both take practice.

Bring It Back to Work: The goal isn’t growth in isolation, it’s leadership that holds up in the rooms where you actually work.

Your Facilitator

Wisdom@Work is facilitated by Leigh Mires, founder of The Mires Collaborative. With over 30 years of experience in organizational development and HR in the AEC industry, including roles at Clayton Korte, Thornton Tomasetti, and Walter P Moore. Leigh brings both industry fluency and a contemplative approach to leadership development. She holds Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology and Human Development from Texas Tech University, a Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction from The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, an ICF Professional Certified Coach credential (PCC) and SHRM-CP certification.

Questions? Reach out to Leigh at [email protected].

Testimonials

“If you have the opportunity to take the Wisdom@Work leadership course, I highly recommend it! Rather than focusing only on theories and techniques, it challenges you to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are today, and where you want to grow as a leader. Leigh is an incredible instructor who creates an environment that encourages honest reflection and meaningful growth. This experience has challenged me to look at my leadership skills through a different lens, and I’m walking away with new perspectives that I’ll carry forward both personally and professionally.” – Grace Richardson, Marketing Manager, David Evans and Associates, Inc.

“In previous leadership training programs, I was always given a step-by-step outline to leadership, but was never asked or challenged to look at the steps from an internal perspective. This program has pushed me to dig deeper in order to learn more about who I am as a person and what kind of leader I would like to be. So, I would say that my growth as a leader has been more intentional and tailored to who I am and what I can give back – a lot of work to do, but I now have a better roadmap.” – Jessica Smith, Marketing Coordinator, ACS Group

“This course has allowed me to be truly introspective and evaluate the different leaders I have worked with in the past and helped define and identify why my favorite leaders were, in fact, great leaders and why some leaders behave/react in stressful situations. It has helped me pause and ask, what is motivating this action/behavior/desire from others? It strengthened my desire to be in the right environment while holding space for those who need it. It has brought a sense of calm to the workplace, and a toolbox of skillsets to hold space for others and be in a neutral state of being at work.” – Ellen Suh, Marketing Strategist, Spire Consulting Group

“This approach to leadership development was so unique and offered a different side to what is traditionally offered – a one-size-fits-all program for leadership. The reality is that we are all different, thus making it important to understand who we are as individuals before we can truly be a genuine and thoughtful leader for others.” – Jessica Smith, Marketing Coordinator, ACS Group

“I think this is a timely course for anyone experiencing work place frustration, burnout, or contemplating a pivot. So…everyone really. It’s just great self-discovery/exploration opportunity that is guided in a safe place with like-minded peers that helps you navigate and explore what truly matters to you and how to find true work-life balance.” – Ellen Suh, Marketing Strategist, Spire Consulting Group