Leading in Complex Organizations
Practical Leadership Development for Managers, Directors, and Emerging Leaders
Leading in Complex Organizations is a 6-week leadership cohort designed for managers, directors, and emerging leaders who want practical tools to navigate culture, change, communication, and organizational complexity. Through live sessions, peer learning, practical application, and facilitator feedback, participants develop the confidence and skills to lead more effectively within complex organizations.
Second Cohort
The second cohort will begin November 4, 2026 at 9am-10am Pacific time via live video. The additional cohort meetings are weekly 9am-10am November 11, 18, 25, December 2, and 9, 2026.
Who this is for
This cohort is designed for professionals who are responsible for leading people, projects, teams, or change within their organizations and want practical tools to lead with greater confidence and effectiveness.
You may benefit from this cohort if you are:
A new manager or supervisor navigating leadership responsibilities for the first time
A director or department leader seeking new approaches to communication, culture, and change management
An emerging leader preparing for increased responsibility and influence
A professional leading cross-functional projects, initiatives, or organizational change efforts
A leader who wants to better understand the systems, relationships, and dynamics shaping organizational success
This program is particularly relevant for leaders working in higher education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and other mission-driven environments where navigating complexity is an essential part of the work.
Whether you are new to leadership or have years of experience, this cohort will help you better understand the environments in which you lead and provide practical tools you can immediately apply within your organization.
Key Outcomes
01 / See the Bigger Picture
Leadership challenges rarely exist in isolation. Participants will learn how to identify the cultural norms, communication patterns, stakeholder relationships, and organizational dynamics that influence outcomes. By understanding the systems surrounding a problem, leaders can move beyond reacting to symptoms and begin addressing root causes.
02 / Apply Practical Leadership Tools
Each session includes actionable frameworks, reflection exercises, and real-world application opportunities designed to help leaders navigate their current challenges. Whether you're managing a team, leading change, giving feedback, or building cross-functional relationships, you'll leave with tools you can immediately put into practice within your organization.
03 / Learn Alongside Other Leaders
Leadership can be isolating, especially in mission-driven organizations where expectations are high and resources are limited. This small cohort experience creates space for honest discussion, shared problem-solving, and learning from the experiences of others. Participants will build connections, gain new perspectives, and develop a network of peers who understand the realities of leading in complex environments.
What to expect
This cohort is designed to be practical, interactive, and immediately applicable to your day-to-day leadership responsibilities. Over six weeks, participants will engage in a combination of live learning, reflection, application, and peer discussion to deepen their understanding of leadership within complex organizations.
Weekly Live Sessions
Participants will meet virtually for one hour each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Pacific / 12:00 p.m. Eastern. Each session will introduce key concepts, frameworks, and discussion opportunities designed to help leaders better understand culture, systems, communication, and organizational dynamics.
Practical Learning Assignments
Learning doesn't stop when the session ends. Each week, participants will complete a practical application activity designed to help them connect the concepts to their own teams, departments, or organizations. Assignments are intended to be immediately useful and relevant to current leadership challenges. Participants will receive facilitator feedback throughout the program to support their growth and application of the material.
Peer Learning and Discussion
Leadership can be isolating, especially when navigating change, competing priorities, and complex organizational environments. This cohort creates a space for participants to learn alongside other leaders, share experiences, test ideas, and gain new perspectives. Some of the most valuable insights often emerge through discussion and reflection with peers facing similar challenges.
A Small Cohort Experience
Enrollment is intentionally limited to create meaningful interaction, individualized feedback, and a supportive learning environment. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, explore real-world challenges, and build connections with other leaders throughout the experience.
Estimated Time Commitment
Weekly Live Session: 1 hour
Weekly Application Activity: 30–60 minutes
Total Weekly Commitment: Approximately 1.5–2 hours
About your Facilitator
Mollie Rockafellow, Ed.D. — Strategy, Leadership & Systems
Dr. Mollie Rockafellow believes that leadership is about more than managing people and projects; it's about understanding the systems, relationships, and cultures that shape how organizations function. As Vice President for Student Affairs at Eastern Oregon University and founder of RockRed LLC, she has spent her career helping individuals and teams navigate complexity, build stronger workplaces, and create meaningful change.
Through her work in higher education, leadership development, organizational culture, and systems thinking, Mollie has seen a common challenge emerge across industries: talented leaders are often expected to solve complex problems without being taught how to understand the systems creating them. This cohort experience brings the practical lessons she has learned leading through enrollment pressures, retention initiatives, organizational change, crisis response, and team development. Participants can expect an engaging, supportive learning environment focused on practical application, reflection, and real-world leadership growth.
Registration Information
Live Cohort Format
Leading in Complex Organizations is a live, interactive leadership cohort designed to foster reflection, discussion, and practical application. To get the most from the experience, participants are encouraged to attend each weekly session.
Registration & Cancellation
Because enrollment is intentionally limited to create a meaningful learning experience, each registration reserves a seat in the cohort.
If your plans change, you may cancel your registration for a full refund any time before the first cohort session begins.
After the first session has started, registrations are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may:
transfer your registration to another employee from your organization before the course begins, or
transfer your registration to a future cohort (if offered) with advance notice prior to the first session.
If RockRed needs to cancel or reschedule the cohort, participants may choose either a full refund or transfer their registration to a future cohort.