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leadership isn't a performance.
it's a practice. 

But nobody has time to earn a PhD in leadership theory—especially when they're expected to lead today.

That's why we equip leaders with simple, powerful tools they can use right away—and keep using as they grow.That's why 

leadership isn't a performance.
it's a practice. 

But nobody has time to earn a PhD in leadership theory—especially when they're expected to lead today.

That's why we equip leaders with simple, powerful tools they can use right away—and keep using as they grow.That's why 

Explore your options for working with us:

 
Train all your leaders together, at scale.

Give your team shared tools and language to change the way they work.

 
 
Infuse  your events with momentum.

Energize your attendees with strategies they can use right away. 
 
 
Get leadership insights you enjoy reading.

Stories, humor, and motivation, delivered weekly in your inbox.

 

Trusted by leaders around the country.

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  • Duke University
  • UW–Madison
  • Macalester College
  • Rhodes College
  • University of Missouri (Mizzou)
  • St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s)
  • University of St. Thomas (UST)
  • Bethel
  • Augsburg University
  • MPCC (round mark)
  • MPACT
  • CUPA Missouri
  • CUPA-HR Kansas
  • AIRUM
  • AWHE
  • Schuler Scholars
  • CSS
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Most leaders are handed big responsibilities with little training, then left to figure it out as they go.

The lucky few are sent to a one-time workshop to learn high level "leadership skills" which are often forgotten before they're used.
Meanwhile, you're spending your professional development budget without seeing the real change you need on your campus.

 
We do things differently.
 

We come to you. No need for expensive travel and lost time.
We train up to 100 leaders at once. You get massive scale and impact at a fraction of the cost for sending those leaders away for training.
We prepare them with a plan. They're ready to use their new skills before they even walk out the door.
We support them for a full year. Our on-campus workshops include ongoing support for each participant.

Whether you're looking for an onsite workshop for your leadership team...
Motivation and momentum at an event...
Or personal inspiration to change your leadership....

You'll find focused, fun, and affordable support.

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WORKSHOPS FOR YOUR ORAGANIZATION

Leadership is more than a pay grade. It's power used for good.

Our signature workshop, 10½ Lessons for Leaders, equips your chairs, directors, and frontline leaders with tools they can use immediately — and support that lasts after the workshop ends.
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TRAIN YOUR LEADERS NOW
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KEYNOTES AND SESSIONS FOR YOUR EVENT

Move your audience from applause to action.

From keynotes to facilitation to small-group workshops, our event sessions deliver tools your audience can use immediately — while reducing their workload.
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HOST AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT
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YOU DESERVE EMAIL RELIEF

Quit dreading your inbox.

Our weekly newsletter helps you bring your personal vision of your leadership to life, in less time than it takes to drink your morning coffee.
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SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
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WORKSHOPS FOR YOUR ORAGANIZATION

Leadership is more than a pay grade. It's power used for good.

Our signature workshop, 10½ Lessons for Leaders, equips your chairs, directors, and frontline leaders with tools they can use immediately — and support that lasts after the workshop ends.
settings
TRAIN YOUR LEADERS NOW
settings
KEYNOTES AND SESSIONS FOR YOUR EVENT

Move your audience from applause to action.

From keynotes to facilitation to small-group workshops, our event sessions deliver tools your audience can use immediately — while reducing their workload.
settings
HOST AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT
settings
YOU DESERVE EMAIL RELIEF

Quit dreading your inbox.

Our weekly newsletter helps you bring your personal vision of your leadership to life, in less time than it takes to drink your morning coffee.
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SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
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What our clients say...

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This has been one of the best conferences I've ever attended. It provides real-life, actionable items that apply to our professional and personal lives.  


 ~ Denise Heiman 

 In a small group setting, [Carole's] approach “deep-dives” into values-driven leadership creating safe space for critical conversations.

 ~ Debbie Okerlund  
 Carole does this beautiful, magical thing of curating content, creating community, and providing layers of mentoring in ways that feel supportive, inspiring, interesting, and fun. I laugh, I cry, I keep coming back for more. You will too.

 ~Susi Keefe 
Susi K., Tenured Faculty and Program Director

About the
THIRD RAIL


When you hear "third rail," do you think of high-voltage danger? Maybe shock? Risk? Even fear?

You should. Third rails in transit systems are dangerous.

But they're more than that. Third rails are a source of power connecting folks to the people and places that matter to them. This power keeps people moving while keeping them safe.

That polarity—dangerous voltage and safety—is at the heart of leadership.

As a leader you're constantly channeling energy. Moving it throughout your organization. Carrying the emotional load of other people's feelings.

You're also keeping people moving. Helping them navigate complex systems. Giving them guardrails. Protecting them with care and compassion.

When you work with Third Rail Leadership you'll get both: the high-energy charge that comes from channeling your own power, and the warm compassion that comes with learning how to care for your team.

About the THIRD RAIL


When you hear "third rail," do you think of high-voltage danger? Maybe shock? Risk? Even fear?

You should. Third rails in transit systems are dangerous.

But they're more than that. Third rails are a source of power connecting folks to the people and places that matter to them. This power keeps people moving while keeping them safe.

That polarity—dangerous voltage and safety—is at the heart of leadership.

As a leader you're constantly channeling energy. Moving it throughout your organization. Carrying the emotional load of other people's feelings.

You're also keeping people moving. Helping them navigate complex systems. Giving them guardrails. Protecting them with care and compassion.

When you work with Third Rail Leadership you'll get both: the high-energy charge that comes from channeling your own power, and the warm compassion that comes with learning how to care for your team.

Third Rail Leadership is a small firm devoted to bringing energetic and grounded leadership preparation to organizations, teams, and individuals.


To do this, we collaborate with experts around the country. 

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MEET OUR TEAM

Wondering where to start?
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WORKSHOPS
10 1/2 Lessons for Leaders
Powerful Questions Squared (PQ2)
The Purpose Accelerator
LIVEWIRE HUB
The Leadership LiveWire (newsletter)
The Academic Livewire (podcast: coming 2026)
SPEAKING
Keynotes
Facilitation
Interviews

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