The Red River Leadership Institute (RRLI) offers an intensive, multi-faceted leadership development experience designed to cultivate exceptional leaders across the Red River Region. Our program features two-day training sessions. Funding for this class comes from a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant.
Our Mission
The purpose of the RRLI is to bring emerging leaders from around the region together to cultivate leadership skills, inspire building inclusive communities, and encourage a commitment to excellence
2025 Trainings:
September 15-16, 2025
Texarkana, Texas
Cost: Free
September 18, 2025
Sulphur Springs, Texas
Cost: Free
*Note: This is an abridged 1 day version of the institute.
Red River Leadership Institute graduates will have:
- An understanding of the Red River Region
- Knowledge of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS)
Red River Leadership Institute graduates will become:
- Leaders who are better able to communicate and collaborate on projects
- Leaders who develop a workplace culture that retains talent
Our Region
The Red River Leadership Institute (RRLI) unites leaders across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas in a unique program that bridges sectors and state lines.
Arkansas Counties:
- Columbia
- Hempstead
- Howard
- Lafayette
- Little River
- Miller
- Nevada
- Sevier
Louisiana Parishes:
- Bossier
- Caddo
Oklahoma County:
- McCurtain
Texas Counties:
- Bowie
- Cass
- Delta
- Franklin
- Hopkins
- Lamar
- Morris
- Red River
- Titus
Day 1 | Session 1
Building Communication in the Workplace
This is a highly interactive program focusing on the human side of every leader’s job. Communication, Teamwork, and a one-team Attitude are needed for a high-performance organization. The word community describes the character of today’s successful work environment. It implies purpose, spirit and human belonging. These are qualities that address basic needs of individuals and groups from the executive office to the front line.
Topics include:
• Keep Calm and Carry On
• Organization Success
• Positive vs. Negative Group Member Roles
• Trust and Respect – Community Building Exercise
• Understanding and Dealing with Different Types of People
• Managing Conflict – 3 Simple rules
• Valuing Diversity as a Strength
Day 1 | Session 2
Helping People Through Change
This is a highly interactive program focusing on dealing with complex change. Organizational strategies and individual coping skills are needed to survive the volume and pace of change in today’s world of work. This program features the power of vision, the importance of attitude, and the key characteristics of the hardy personality.
Topics include:
• Myths and Realities in Dealing with Change
• Leading Change – Seven Step Process
• The Importance of Attitude – It Starts With You
• Maintaining Balance – Personal and Professional Coping Skills
• Characteristics of a Hardy Personality
• Wisdom of the Ages
• Succeeding at Work and Living to Tell About It
• Celebrating What’s Right with the World
Day 2 | Session 1
Fostering a High-Performance Culture
This is a highly interactive program focusing on leadership effectiveness and people building skills. Although management by objective is important, managing by value is essential for today’s successful leader. At the heart of caring leadership are basic honesty, mutual trust, respect for all people, personal courage, and if all else fails, the caring confrontation.
Topics include:
• Productivity and The Importance of Leadership
• Leader as Teambuilder and Developer of People
• Trust, Respect, and The Caring Confrontation
• Performance Management – Coaching Others to Succeed
• How to Attract and Keep Good People
• Ethics at Work and Value-based Leadership
• Being the Leader You Always Wanted to Have
• Psychological Size and Two-Way Communication
Day 2 | Session 2
Service Excellence Through Team Concept
This is a highly interactive program focusing on customer satisfaction through work group effectiveness, problem-solving styles, and team-building processes. Subjects are made practical for use back on the job. Participants learn team-building skills appropriate for all levels of leadership.
Topics include:
• Focus on Service
• Working Together Works
• The Importance of TEAMS
• TEAMS on the Way Up/TEAMS on the Way Down
• Regional Success
• Problem-solving Styles and Work Group Dynamics
• Tapping the Constructive Power of the Group for Talent/Technology/Tolerance
• Personal Commitment – Would You Hire You?
The 3 T's: Talent Technology Tolerance
Through its innovative focus on the 3Ts—Talent, Technology, and Tolerance—RRLI is shaping the next generation of leaders who will transform the Red River Region into a more vibrant, inclusive, and economically robust community.
The 3Ts framework, developed by economist Richard Florida, provides a powerful blueprint for regional transformation and economic growth through creative leadership. This innovative approach demonstrates that communities thrive when they successfully cultivate and integrate technology, talent, and tolerance—creating an ecosystem where innovation and prosperity naturally flourish.
Talent
At the heart of every successful region lies its ability to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent across all sectors. RRLI helps leaders build the skills necessary to identify, nurture, and empower talent while creating the conditions that make our region a magnet for skilled professionals and creative minds.
Technology
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, technological innovation serves as a crucial catalyst for regional growth and development. Our program equips leaders with the insights and strategies needed to foster technological advancement and create environments where innovation can thrive.
Tolerance
The most dynamic and prosperous regions are those that embrace diversity and foster inclusive environments where all people can contribute their unique perspectives and abilities. Our program teaches leaders how to build bridges across different communities and create an atmosphere of openness that attracts diverse talent and spurs innovation.
Institute Highlights
Core Training Structure
Each two-day leadership class combines hands-on workshops, expert guest speakers, and interactive learning experiences. Training sessions run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, featuring carefully curated content from The Art of Leadership Manual 7th Edition.
Key Program Components:
The training program focuses on four essential pillars of modern leadership:
- Building Community in the Workplace
- Professional Resilience and Change Management
- High-Performance Culture Development
- Service Excellence Through Team Leadership
Learning Outcomes
Participants develop crucial leadership competencies including:
- Collaborative goal achievement
- Cultural diversity appreciation
- Change management expertise
- Customer-centric service delivery
- Performance management and accountability
- Ethical decision-making
Training Methodology
Our interactive approach combines:
- Real-world case studies
- Team-building exercises
- Professional networking opportunities
- Expert guest speakers
- Hands-on workshops
- Multimedia learning resources
Train-the-Trainer Class
Our Train-the-Trainer class prepares selected leaders to facilitate leadership development within their organizations and communities.
Investment in Leadership
Each session includes:
- Comprehensive training materials
- Networking lunches with industry leaders
- Interactive workshops
Meet the Instructor
Take the Next Step
Transform your leadership potential and contribute to regional growth through RRLI’s comprehensive leadership development program. Join emerging leaders from across the Red River Region in building stronger, more collaborative communities through excellence in leadership.