Intentional Communication with DISC Cortex DISC Training is an interactive workshop designed to equip leaders with a deeper understanding of their strengths, challenges, and communication styles. Using personalized DISC reports, this session will explore behavioral preferences—both yours and those of others—while providing actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness and team dynamics. Step One: Watch "What Is The DISC and Motivators Assessment, and Why Am I Taking It?" Step Two: Take Your DISC and Driving Forces Assessment. You'll get your results immediately after taking the assessment. PRINT & BRING TO CLASS. DISC Assessment Step Three: Review Your DISC Guide DISC Guide Step Four: Take the Cortex Team Strengths (VIPE) Assessment VIPE Assessment VIPE Scorecard

Executive Leadership Coaching to Organizational Peak Performance Your leadership impact will be greatly affected by the competencies you are able to build a foundation for and enhance as you adjust to changing working environments and market conditions. Deciding which ones you will need the most in the coming 1-3 years is a critical success factor in achieving the outcomes you want you, your team, and your organization to achieve. Review the following information to ensure an understanding of each competency, complete the spreadsheet provided, and then review it with whom you report to so that you can ensure alignment. This information will be used to create your Cortex Leadership Development Plan that you will utilize during your executive coaching journey. Steps 1 - 6 Step 1: Review the Leadership Competencies Selection and Instruction Guide Guide Step 2: Review the Executive Leaders Mission Statement Mission Statement Step 3: Complete the Value Portion and Submit your Values You will need this Value List to complete Part one of the Leadership Mission Statement exercise. Values Exercise Step 4: Complete the rest of the Mission Statement Step 5: Leadership Competencies Consider your Top 4 Leadership Competencies and why developing those are the most important in the coming year. Assessment Step 6: Review with your Supervisor It is best, when you complete this exercise, to review it with who you report to in order to get their feedback. Submit Your Values and Leadership Competencies! Submit Your Values & Leadership Competencies First name* Last Name* Email* Company* Position* Which Coaching Track are you on?* Strengthening Your Skillsets Leading Others to Peak Performance Leadership Coaching for Peak Performance Organizational Peak Performance Who is your Cortex Coach?* Lynda McNutt Foster Allen Foster Kim Levings What are your top 10 values? (List your 10 values one by one or upload a file below) Upload your Values here Upload Values Leadership Competencies - Upload your Excel Leadership Competencies Assessment below* Upload Leadership Competencies Submit You've Completed the Pre-Coaching Steps! Thank you for following the steps in your Coaching Track. You will recieve an email from your coach with their scheduling link so you can schedule your first session. If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to info@cortexleader.com or email your coach directly.

Intentional Communication with DISC Cortex DISC Training is an interactive workshop designed to equip leaders with a deeper understanding of their strengths, challenges, and communication styles. Using personalized DISC reports, this session will explore behavioral preferences—both yours and those of others—while providing actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness and team dynamics. What Is The DISC and Motivators Assessment, and Why Am I Taking It? Your DISC and Driving Forces Assessment: DISC Assessment Your DISC Guide: DISC Guide

< Back The Delegation Dilemma If you want it done right, do you have to do it yourself? If You Want It Done Right, Do You Have to Do It Yourself? What if I told you that doing everything yourself is actually making you less effective? Many leaders fall into The Delegation Dilemma, believing: "It's faster if I just do it myself." "No one else can do it as well as I can." If I delegate, I'll lose control." The truth? Holding onto everything doesn't make you a great leader - it makes you a bottleneck. The best leaders master delegation by: Identifying high-value work vs. busywork. Focus on impact, not tasks. Training their team to take ownership. Leadership is about empowerment, not control. Using AI & automation to eliminate repetitive work. Ready to delegate more and lead smarter? Watch this 1-minute video on fixing The Delegation Dilemma. [insert clip] [insert time mastery 2.0 assessment link] Previous Next

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Professionals Graduate EPIC Leadership Program < Back Kathlynn Stone Feb 7, 2025 More than two dozen professionals from across Virginia gather to celebrate graduating from the EPIC Leadership Program. Roanoke, Va. - The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Cortex Leadership Consulting , recently celebrated the graduation of 25 professionals from the EPIC Leadership Program. This five-month immersive coaching and mentoring experience is designed to build emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and leadership skills in highly engaged professionals. Taylor Hubbard , an EPIC graduate and one of the speakers at the graduation ceremony, shared her experience: "This journey has really taught me a lot. One of my biggest insights was shifting from the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT) to the Empowerment Dynamic (TED). Recognizing that you control how you react and assuming people have good intentions helps shift into a solutions mindset." At the graduation ceremony, graduates and leaders shared reflections on the program’s impact. Melissa Glick , another graduate, recalled her introduction to EPIC after starting at Metis : "My fifth day on the job, I found myself at Wilderness Adventure with a group of total strangers. After warm-up activities, we faced the harrowing swing drop. We cheered each other on and completed the challenge. Just when we thought the hardest part was over, we were taken to the Cat Walk—an eight-inch log 60 feet in the air, 100 feet across. A group of strangers came together, connected, encouraged, and cheered each other on." April Woodward , President of the Board of Directors for the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Oncology at LewisGale Medical Center at HCA Healthcare, spoke at graduation about why it was important for the Chamber to partner with Cortex to bring this program to the area, saying : "When this program was presented to the Chamber and Lynda and her team came and presented it, the first thing I thought of was okay, I would love to have a training program where instead of a rules session orientation and the obligatory code of conduct, the first day we go to Wilderness Adventure. I mean, I’m just saying, that’s a pretty cool way to start any leadership session. So, I don’t know of another program out there like EPIC. And when I heard that I thought okay, they offer in-person classes, data-driven information, and one-on-one mentorship with certified leadership coaches. That’s pretty impressive." The EPIC program stands apart as a turn-key leadership development experience that combines in-person learning, data-driven insights, and one-on-one mentorship with certified leadership coaches. This cohort met monthly at the South County Library, tackling key topics essential to leadership growth. Each session began with foundational concepts before diving deeper into practical application. The program’s structured approach focuses on intentional leadership development, with each month dedicated to a core leadership skill: Communicating with Intention – Using the DISC/Driving Forces assessment, participants, known as Adventurers, gained self-awareness in the area of communication. Acting with Intention – Adventurers learned to recognize when they are creating drama and how to shift toward proactive thinking and actions. Thinking with Intention – From decision-making to collaboration for innovation, Adventurers applied a simple but impactful problem-solving framework. Managing Priorities with Intention – Participants assessed time management habits and implemented tools to manage multiple priorities effectively. Building Trust with Intention – Through Conversational Intelligence, Adventurers gained a deeper understanding of how they build and maintain trust in professional relationships. The program’s impact extends beyond personal growth—it prepares participants for leadership roles within their organizations. Chris Carey , President of Metis , emphasized the role EPIC plays in developing future leaders: "We don’t have direct mentorship like we used to when people worked side by side every day. EPIC has helped bridge that gap by developing our people and ensuring they have the skills they need as they progress." Jeanne Newby , a facilitator of the EPIC program , reflecting on the graduates' dedication, shared: "This graduating cohort has set a new standard through their commitment and engagement. It was the first class to be entirely in-person, achieving the highest attendance. Even more impressive is that they embraced every challenge with curiosity and openness. Their willingness to dig deeper and explore new approaches reflects leadership that will strengthen teams and communities." Graduating from EPIC is more than an achievement—it marks a transformational journey for professionals eager to enhance their leadership capabilities. As this cohort moves forward, they carry with them not only new skills but also a strengthened mindset, a network of support, and the confidence to lead with intention. Apply for the EPIC Leadership Training Program here ! Previous Next

Local and National Business Leaders Gather Tonight at Roanoke's Science Museum for Immersive AI Leadership Experience < Back Lynda McNutt Foster, Founder, Cortex Leadership Consulting & AI Strategic Leader, EPIC 2.0 Jan 14, 2026 Tonight, Wednesday, January 14, from 5:00–6:30 PM, Cortex Leadership Consulting will host an immersive leadership experience inside The Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia, welcoming participants from across the country for AI Strategic Leader Cohort 3 and the inaugural EPIC 2.0 leadership program. Contact: Lynda McNutt Foster Founder, Cortex Leadership Consulting & AI Strategic Leader, EPIC 2.0 lynda@cortexleadership.com Tonight, Wednesday, January 14, from 5:00–6:30 PM, Cortex Leadership Consulting will host an immersive leadership experience inside The Eye Planetarium at the Science Museum of Western Virginia , welcoming participants from across the country for AI Strategic Leader Cohort 3 and the inaugural EPIC 2.0 leadership program. This invitation-only event brings together senior leaders, executives, and high-potential professionals who are actively applying artificial intelligence to real-world organizational challenges. Participants are flying in from multiple regions, alongside leaders from right here in Southwest Virginia. At 5:40 PM, attendees will experience a 20-minute, state-of-the-art visual presentation designed to stimulate strategic thinking, innovation, and collaboration—using the planetarium dome as a fully immersive environment. The evening also includes: Chef-created appetizers focused on brain health and performance Conversations with leaders shaping the future of work through AI A unique visual and experiential setting ideal for on-camera storytelling Event Details: Date: Wednesday, January 14 Time: 5:00–6:30 PM (key visual experience begins at 5:40 PM) Location: The Eye Planetarium, Science Museum of Western Virginia Address: 1 Market Square SE, Top Floor, Center in the Square, Roanoke, VA Media representatives are welcome to attend, film, and conduct brief interviews with event participants and Cortex leadership. For access or interview coordination, please contact Lynda Foster directly. Contact: Lynda McNutt Foster Founder, Cortex Leadership Consulting & AI Strategic Leader, EPIC 2.0 lynda@cortexleadership.com Previous Next

< Back The Attention Drain How to Reclaim Your Focus in a World of Constant Pings How to Reclaim Your Focus in a World of Constant Pings Your time isn't your own if your attention is constantly stolen. If your day is filled with: Constant notifications pulling you out of deep work. Back-to-back meetings with no real thinking time A never-ending stream of emails demanding immediate replies ... then you're caught in The Attention Drain. How to fix it: Turn off non-essential notifications. If it's important, they'll call. Batch communication. Don't check email every 5-minutes - set dedicated blocks. Protect deep work. Strategy, creativity, and high-level thinking require focus. Want to take control of your attention? Watch this quick breakdown. [insert clip] [insert time mastery 2.0 assessment link] Previous Next

How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It < Back Cortex Leatership Consulting Jun 8, 2025 Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Location: Grandin CoLab, Roanoke, VA Roanoke, VA — While national headlines warn of job loss and fear around artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind leadership demo event on Tuesday will flip the script, showing local professionals how to partner with AI , not fear it. Hosted by Cortex Leadership Consulting, the event—“The AI Demo Experience: Leading Through the Shift”—will show leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals how to collaborate with tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, NotebookLM, and Gemini to save time, reduce stress, and increase quality of work without needing to be “tech-savvy.” “This is not a lecture. It’s an immersive demo where you’ll see AI work with real-world data from local businesses to solve problems in real time,” said Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership. “We want leaders to walk away with less fear, more clarity, and practical next steps they can use tomorrow.” Why This Matters (Fast Facts for Newsrooms) 44% of work skills will be disrupted by 2027 , according to the World Economic Forum. Only 1 in 10 professionals feel confident using AI tools at work (McKinsey 2024). In a recent local survey of over 40 professionals, the #1 challenge was “not knowing where to start with AI” . This event is designed to address that head-on. Real-time demos of how leaders and employees can collaborate with AI Why AI is not replacing humans—rather amplifying those who use it well How leaders can overcome the "blank page" problem and decision fatigue Insight into which jobs and tasks will likely be automated first—and what will never be replaced A Local Perspective This isn’t Silicon Valley. It is right here in Southwest Virginia. These are local teams and business leaders navigating real pressures—from healthcare to finance to entrepreneurship. The Cortex team will show how AI can: Create customized training content from internal and external documents Build messaging for change through an organization Help leaders use AI as a thinking partner through Conversational Intelligence Media seats are limited for small group main demos, but open for any of the mini demos available one-on-one. Please RSVP for access and early arrival for interviews and visuals. Contact: lynda@cortexleadership.com About Cortex Leadership Consulting Cortex has worked with over 12,000 leaders to accelerate team performance, engagement, and innovation. Known for its pioneering use of AI in leadership training, Cortex brings coaching, consulting, and tech together for next-level transformation. Previous Next

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