Learn about NSLS Leadership Training Day requirements and what to expect. Comprehensive guide covering preparation, participation, and maximising your NSLS experience.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Fri 9th January 2026
Leadership Training Day is a core requirement of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) programme—a focused session where members engage in interactive exercises, goal-setting activities, and team experiences designed to develop practical leadership skills and build community amongst chapter members. This component transforms NSLS from passive membership into active development experience.
The NSLS has inducted millions of members across hundreds of university and college chapters, making it one of the largest student leadership organisations in the United States. Leadership Training Day represents the intensive, in-person element of a programme that combines live broadcasts, success networking teams, and this experiential component.
This guide explains what Leadership Training Day involves, how to prepare, and how to maximise your experience.
Leadership Training Day is a mandatory component of the NSLS induction process—an extended session where chapter members gather for structured leadership development activities.
Purpose Leadership Training Day builds practical leadership capabilities through experiential learning. Rather than lecture-based instruction, it emphasises participation, practice, and peer interaction.
Duration Sessions typically run four to six hours, creating sustained engagement that shorter sessions cannot achieve.
Format Interactive exercises, small group activities, reflection components, and community-building elements combine for comprehensive development experience.
Requirement Status Completing Leadership Training Day is mandatory for full NSLS induction. Members cannot achieve inducted status without participation.
| Requirement | Description | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Introduction to NSLS programme | 1-2 hours |
| Speaker Broadcasts | Live online leadership content | 3 broadcasts |
| Leadership Training Day | In-person experiential session | 4-6 hours |
| Success Networking Team | Small group meetings | 3 meetings |
| Induction Ceremony | Formal membership recognition | Varies |
Leadership Training Day follows structured programming designed to build specific capabilities.
Opening and Orientation Sessions begin with welcome, agenda overview, and community-building activities that help participants connect with fellow members they may not know.
Goal-Setting Exercises Structured activities help participants clarify personal and professional goals, creating foundation for subsequent leadership development.
Leadership Skill Building Interactive exercises develop specific leadership capabilities—communication, teamwork, problem-solving, influence—through practice rather than lecture.
Team Activities Group challenges require collaboration, revealing leadership dynamics and providing opportunity to practice leadership behaviours in low-stakes environment.
Reflection Components Throughout the session, structured reflection helps participants process experiences, extract learning, and plan application.
Closing and Commitment Sessions conclude with commitment activities where participants declare intentions for applying learning and continuing development.
| Timeframe | Activity | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| First hour | Opening, icebreakers, orientation | Community building, context setting |
| Second hour | Goal-setting workshop | Personal clarity, vision development |
| Third hour | Leadership exercises | Skill building, practice |
| Fourth hour | Team challenge | Collaboration, applied leadership |
| Fifth hour | Reflection, commitment | Integration, forward planning |
Preparation enhances the experience and demonstrates the engagement that leadership development requires.
Complete Prerequisites Ensure all prior requirements (orientation, speaker broadcasts) are complete before Leadership Training Day. Incomplete prerequisites may prevent participation.
Review Goals Reflect on what you want from NSLS membership and from Leadership Training Day specifically. Clear objectives focus attention.
Practical Preparation Confirm logistics: date, time, location, duration. Plan for the full session; partial attendance may not satisfy requirements.
Mental Preparation Approach the session with openness to participate fully. Leadership development requires active engagement, not passive observation.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Membership confirmation | Verify eligibility to participate |
| Notebook and pen | Capture insights, take notes |
| Positive attitude | Full engagement produces best results |
| Completed pre-work | If any assignments were given |
| Comfortable clothing | Session involves movement and activity |
Openness Some exercises may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Openness to new experiences enables growth that resistance prevents.
Engagement Passive attendance wastes the opportunity. Commit to full participation in discussions, exercises, and activities.
Connection Plan to build relationships. Fellow members represent network potential beyond the event itself.
Application Focus Throughout the session, think about how content applies to your actual leadership opportunities and challenges.
The programme targets specific leadership capabilities through experiential methods.
Goal Setting and Achievement Moving from vague aspirations to specific, actionable goals. Understanding goal structures that increase likelihood of achievement.
Communication Expressing ideas clearly, listening effectively, adapting communication to different audiences and contexts.
Teamwork and Collaboration Working effectively with others, contributing to group success, navigating different working styles and perspectives.
Problem Solving Approaching challenges systematically, generating solutions, making decisions under uncertainty.
Self-Awareness Understanding personal strengths, weaknesses, values, and patterns that affect leadership effectiveness.
Initiative and Action Moving from intention to action, overcoming hesitation, taking appropriate leadership initiative.
| Method | How It Develops Skills |
|---|---|
| Interactive exercises | Practice in safe environment |
| Team challenges | Real-time collaboration experience |
| Reflection activities | Insight extraction from experience |
| Peer feedback | External perspective on behaviour |
| Goal-setting workshops | Practical goal development tools |
| Discussion groups | Communication practice, diverse perspectives |
Understanding the programme architecture helps maximise each component.
Foundation: Orientation Introduction to NSLS, programme overview, expectations setting. Creates foundation for subsequent components.
Content: Speaker Broadcasts Live broadcasts featuring leadership speakers provide conceptual content and inspiration from successful leaders.
Experience: Leadership Training Day Experiential component converts concepts into practice through interactive, intensive programming.
Community: Success Networking Teams Small group meetings over several weeks build peer support networks and accountability relationships.
Recognition: Induction Ceremony Formal recognition of programme completion, transitioning members from candidates to inducted status.
Each element builds on others:
| Component | Primary Value |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Foundation, expectations |
| Speaker Broadcasts | Inspiration, concepts |
| Leadership Training Day | Experience, practice |
| Success Networking Teams | Community, accountability |
| Induction | Recognition, transition |
Understanding common concerns helps members approach the experience confidently.
Do I have to speak in front of everyone? Sessions include various activities; some involve speaking to the full group whilst others use small groups or pairs. Facilitators create safe environments for participation at different comfort levels.
What if I'm introverted? Leadership Training Day accommodates different styles. Not all activities require extroverted behaviour; reflection, small group work, and one-to-one activities provide alternatives.
Can I leave early if needed? Full participation is required for programme completion. Leaving early may mean the session doesn't count toward induction requirements. Communicate any constraints in advance.
How long does it really take? Typical sessions run four to six hours. Plan for the full time; rushing creates incomplete experience.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothing appropriate for movement and activity. Sessions may include standing, moving around, and physical activities.
Is food provided? This varies by chapter. Confirm with your chapter in advance; if not provided, bring snacks for a long session.
What if I miss the scheduled date? Most chapters offer multiple Leadership Training Day sessions. Contact your chapter about alternative dates if you cannot attend the initially scheduled session.
How is completion verified? Attendance is typically tracked by chapter leadership. Ensure you sign in and that your participation is recorded.
What happens after Leadership Training Day? You'll continue with Success Networking Team meetings and ultimately attend an induction ceremony upon completing all requirements.
Passive attendance produces minimal value. Active engagement creates genuine development.
Participate Fully Engage with every activity rather than hanging back. Growth happens at the edge of comfort zones.
Take Notes Capture insights, quotes, and ideas that resonate. These notes become resources for later application.
Build Connections Use the session to meet fellow members. Exchange contact information with those you connect with.
Ask Questions Seek clarification when needed; ask questions that deepen understanding for yourself and others.
Reflect Actively When reflection activities are offered, engage genuinely rather than going through motions.
Review Notes Within 24 hours, review notes whilst memories are fresh. Add additional insights; clarify unclear points.
Apply Learning Identify one to three specific applications and implement them within the week following the session.
Maintain Connections Follow up with people you met. Send connection requests; schedule conversations.
Complete Requirements Ensure your attendance is recorded and continue with remaining induction requirements.
| Strategy | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Full engagement | Participate in every activity |
| Active note-taking | Capture insights throughout |
| Relationship building | Meet and connect with others |
| Application planning | Identify specific actions |
| Follow-through | Complete actions after session |
Yes, Leadership Training Day is a required component for full NSLS induction. Members cannot achieve inducted status without completing this requirement along with orientation, speaker broadcasts, and Success Networking Team meetings. Some chapters may offer virtual alternatives in specific circumstances.
One completed Leadership Training Day session satisfies the requirement. You need to participate fully in a single session, not multiple sessions. However, the session must be completed in full—partial attendance typically doesn't count.
Contact your chapter leadership to discuss alternative options. Most chapters offer multiple Leadership Training Day sessions throughout the academic term. Chapters often accommodate scheduling conflicts when communicated in advance.
This depends on your chapter and circumstances. Some chapters have offered virtual options, particularly during periods when in-person gatherings were restricted. Check with your chapter about current options and whether virtual completion satisfies requirements.
Speaker broadcasts provide conceptual content through presentations from leadership speakers—you watch and listen. Leadership Training Day is experiential—you participate in exercises, activities, and discussions. Both serve important but different purposes in the overall programme.
Contact your chapter leadership immediately. Depending on how much was missed, you may need to attend another complete session to satisfy the requirement. Partial completion typically doesn't count toward induction.
Leadership Training Day transforms NSLS membership from credential into genuine development experience. The intensive, experiential format builds capabilities that passive learning cannot develop. Members who engage fully—participating actively, building connections, and applying learning—gain value that extends far beyond the session itself. Those who approach it as box-checking requirement miss the genuine opportunity it represents.