Leland+ Content Library

How to Lead the Room with Executive Presence

Executive presence is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot in leadership conversations. You've probably heard it. You may have even been told you need more of it. But here's the problem: most people can't tell you what it actually means. It's not charisma. It's not being the loudest person in the room. It's not even being the most polished. Executive presence is the ability to make people feel — in your presence — that things are under control, that someone capable is leading, and that their time and attention is being respected. It's a signal. And like any signal, it can be developed, sharpened, and directed. This guide is built around three pillars that I've seen transform how executives show up: Clarity, Credibility, and Confidence. They're related — and yes, they overlap. But they each do distinct work, and understanding the difference matters.

10 Absolute Must-Haves to Break into the M7 [8/6/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into an M7 MBA program takes more than strong stats. The most successful applicants know how to build an application that clearly demonstrates leadership, impact, and fit. This session is for prospective MBA applicants who want to understand the qualities that consistently set admitted students apart. You'll learn the 10 essential elements of a competitive M7 application, the mistakes that weaken otherwise strong candidates, and where to focus your efforts for the greatest impact. Join live to hear from an MBA admissions expert with Chicago Booth admissions committee experience who has helped more than 200 clients earn MBA acceptances. The speaker will share practical insights from reviewing applications, proven strategies for standing out, and actionable advice you can immediately apply to strengthen your candidacy for top business schools.

AI and Your MBA Application: Do’s and Don’ts for School Research

Thinking about using AI tools to streamline your MBA school research and networking strategy, and want to do so efficiently and ethically? Join me, M, for a practical and candid session designed to help MBA applicants use AI as a powerful tool for uncovering insights, identifying fit, and guiding meaningful outreach, all while staying focused on authenticity and personal reflection. This session will show you how to integrate AI into your research process, without relying on generic outputs or missing key personal connections. Learn how to craft strategic prompts that help you dig deeper into program offerings, find school culture and values that align with your own, and uncover talking points for essays, interviews, and outreach. I’ll share examples of weak vs. strong AI prompts and how to adapt AI outputs into meaningful, human communication.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. Reference the slides from a past event that draws from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world.

Breaking Into Top Hedge Funds - Top 5 Tips

​Curious how to break into the highly competitive world of Hedge Funds? Whether you’re coming from a technical background, transitioning from another industry, or currently pursuing a degree in finance, data science, computer science, or mathematics, this session is your insider guide. Learn from Fiona T., former Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Haas MFE program. Fiona will share with you tips on breaking into Hedge Funds and strategies on your resume, LinkedIn profile, Networking and more! ​In this focused workshop, you'll uncover the Top 5 proven strategies to position yourself for roles on the buy-side at Hedge Funds. Learn what recruiters really look for, how to showcase your technical strengths, and how to avoid the most common mistakes applicants make when targeting top-tier Hedge Funds!

Veterans MBA Admissions Fireside Chat + Panel Discussion

This exclusive event is designed specifically for veterans or those currently in the military interested in pursuing MBA programs. Led by a distinguished panel of veterans who have successfully navigated their own MBA application journeys, this fireside chat offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand experiences, learn proven strategies, and gain insider knowledge on how to showcase your military background and skills effectively. ​From translating your military service into a compelling story to leveraging your leadership experience, paying for your MBA, and more, the panelists will share actionable advice to help you stand out amongst fellow applicants. ​​Leland is cohosting this event with Sitreps2Steercos, an incredible organization that was founded to help those in the military transition into top graduate programs and competitive career paths. ​Meet our panelists: ​Wyatt F, United States Military Academy, Warton MBA, US Army, helps clients write their "hero's journey" story for admissions committees, craft their resumes to make sure civilians understand their roles and impact, and nail the GMAT. ​Kelsey K, former M7 Admissions Director, partners with applicants to help them clarify who they are, what they want, and why they belong at the world’s best business schools. ​Alex S., Marine Academy, Ross MBA, US Army, alumni interviewer for Ross, expert MBA admissions coach for veterans and non-traditional backgrounds, has coached and prepped over 100+ people on MBA applications with a high rate of success.

LinkedIn Launchpad: Profile to Profit [5/12/2026] (Recording)

Is your LinkedIn profile a forgotten resume or a powerful asset? In today's competitive job market, your professional brand is more crucial than ever. Join us for this free, dynamic workshop to learn the insider strategies for maximizing your visibility. We'll reveal the secrets to transforming your profile from overlooked to outstanding by focusing on the three pillars of success: Discoverability: Master the strategic keywords recruiters search for to ensure your profile ranks high. Impact: Learn how to craft a magnetic headline and an "About" section that turns profile views into opportunities. Networking: Acquire techniques for building a genuine professional network that expands your career reach. Whether you're job searching, looking to advance, or aiming to establish yourself as an industry expert, this workshop will give you the practical, actionable steps you need to leverage LinkedIn to its fullest potential. Elevate your professional presence and open doors to new opportunities!

Live Mock MBA Interview

​In this workshop, you’ll experience what it’s really like to be in the MBA hot seat through a mock interview led by top Leland coaches Angela C. and Ben L. With years of experience coaching applicants into programs like Stanford GSB, HBS, and Wharton, they know exactly what admissions committees are looking for. ​You’ll practice tackling the toughest questions, get real-time feedback on your answers, and learn strategies to communicate with confidence and authenticity. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach for final rounds, this session will help you sharpen your skills and stand out in the competitive MBA admissions process.

What You Need to Know about 2026 Law School Admissions: Insights, Trends, and Q&A [5/28/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll have a clear picture of how the 2026 law school admissions cycle is shaping up, including how score and GPA thresholds are shifting at top programs, what admissions committees are prioritizing in personal statements this cycle, and how to position a application that stands out in an increasingly competitive pool. Attending live means hearing how an experienced coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording simply cannot replicate. The coach works with law school applicants daily and will share the patterns that separate successful applications from ones that fall short, offering a genuine look at how this process actually works from someone inside it.

What Top MBA Candidates Do Differently [5/4/2026] (Recording)

Top MBA candidates don’t just have strong profiles—they make intentional decisions about how they position their experiences, goals, and story. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually differentiates successful candidates across top programs. You’ll learn how to frame your impact, articulate clear and credible goals, and avoid the common mistakes that weaken otherwise competitive applications. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA coaches who work closely with applicants and evaluate what stands out. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and examples typically shared in 1:1 coaching sessions.

The Path to Law School: What It Takes to Stand Out

​Law school admissions is more competitive than ever, and standing out requires more than just strong grades and test scores. From crafting a compelling personal statement to highlighting unique experiences and securing strong recommendations, every part of your application plays a role in shaping your story. ​In this session, you’ll hear from Megan N., Akua A., and James W., who will share what top programs are really looking for and how to position yourself as a standout applicant. Whether you’re just beginning to explore law school or preparing to hit submit, this session will give you practical tools and insights to approach the process with confidence.

Real-World ROI for MBAs

​For many applicants who are considering getting an MBA today, a key question is whether doing so is worth it and, if so, what the anticipated return on investment (ROI) will be. During this free event, four Leland coaches who have their MBAs from M7 programs share their perspectives on the ROI they've seen so far from their MBA experiences. ​Meet our hosts: ​- Alex M. - current MBA candidate at Kellogg, current Forte Fellow ​- Elizabeth J. - current Citi SVP, Dartmouth (Tuck) MBA, former Forte Fellow, former BLCK VC Fellow ​- Patricia M. - current Zillow PM, former Product Ops at LinkedIn, Duke MBA, former Forte Fellow - Sowa I. - Stanford MBA, former Accenture/BCG consultant

Breaking Into Product Management Panel

​Curious about how to land your first role in product management? Join us for the Breaking Into Product Management Panel, where Kevin A. (Ex-LinkedIn), Jess C. (Autodesk), and Christian S. (LinkedIn)—coaches with PM experience will share their unique paths into the field and the lessons they learned along the way. You’ll hear about different entry points, what hiring managers are really looking for, how to build relevant experience, and the skills that matter most. Whether you're a student, career switcher, or just starting out, this panel will give you tactical insights to help you take the next step toward a PM role.

How to Solve GRE Math Questions in Half the Time [5/5/2026] (Recording)

In this session, you'll learn how to identify question types faster and apply targeted shortcuts that cut time without sacrificing accuracy. The focus will be on three high-frequency GRE math areas where most test-takers lose unnecessary time: quantitative comparison traps, data interpretation setups, and plugging-in strategies for algebra problems. Attending live means you can describe the specific question types giving you trouble and get a direct answer calibrated to where you are in your prep, not a general response. The coach works with GRE students regularly and will be sharing the patterns that consistently separate efficient scorers from those who run out of time.

New Year, Strong Med School Application

A new year is the perfect time to reset your strategy and strengthen your medical school application. This session is designed to help you approach the med school admissions process with clarity, structure, and confidence. In this event, you’ll learn how to assess your current application profile, plan a smart timeline, and prioritize the elements that matter most—from coursework and testing to personal statements and extracurriculars. We’ll also cover common mistakes and how to position your experiences to tell a compelling story. Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for an upcoming cycle, you’ll leave with clear next steps and a stronger application plan.

What VCs Want: Thesis, Diligence, and Deal Flow Explained

Understanding how venture capitalists evaluate startups is essential for anyone looking to break into VC or strengthen their investing skill set. In this workshop, Kenny J.—an operator and investor with experience at Google Ventures, CapitalG, Honeywell M&A, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs—will break down how VCs develop investment theses, source and evaluate deals, and run diligence with rigor. Drawing on his background evaluating 25+ early-stage opportunities, supporting $400M in transactions, and helping an autonomous trucking startup raise capital and build financial discipline, Kenny will offer a structured, no-nonsense look at the frameworks, modeling expectations, and sourcing strategies that matter most in venture.

September Surge - Start Your Search (Part 4)

The “September Surge” is when hiring heats up, and I'm here to help you land your next role faster—with less stress and more confidence. Join my 4-part webinar series on Leland to unlock proven frameworks, actionable strategies, and a live demo of a leading job search app—trusted by high-achievers worldwide. Event Description: Execute & Track Your Job Search Description: Learn how to execute your job search at scale: track every activity, manage networking and follow-ups, and use ai automation to save time. See how modern job search apps can support you with real-time dashboards, reminders, and recruiter-led outreach to maximize your results.

September Surge Series - Get Clarity (Part 1)

The “September Surge” is when hiring heats up, and I'm here to help you land your next role faster—with less stress and more confidence. Join my 4-part webinar series on Leland to unlock proven frameworks, actionable strategies, and a live demo of a leading job search app—trusted by high-achievers worldwide. Get Clarity on What You Want Description: Kick off your job search with purpose. Learn how to define your career vision, identify your strengths, and set clear, motivating goals. We’ll share proven frameworks for self-assessment and values alignment—so you can focus your job search and feel confident about your direction.

Choosing the Right Law School for You

There are almost 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, spread out across most states and with varying program sizes, legal specialties, and campus environments. While focusing on the U.S. News and World Report rankings may feel like the be-all and end-all of law school choice, the reality is that picking the law school that’s right for you as an individual goes much deeper. ​As someone who graduated from and worked as an admissions director in a law school that has been in both the first and second tiers, Liz C. understands that not everyone is aiming for the T14, T30, or even T50 schools—she was one of them. Let’s explore what factors should actually influence your law school choices and how to narrow down your list to a manageable one before the application process starts.

AI for PMs: Turn Behavioral Data into Decisions You Can Actually Ship [6/26/2026] (Recording)

**GIVEAWAY FOR LIVE ATTENDEES: FREE SEAT IN OUR AI BUILDER PROGRAM ($999 value)** After this session, you will know how to use behavioral data to build a product decision framework that stakeholders will actually approve and ship. We will cover how to structure AI-generated insights so they translate into prioritization decisions, how to identify which behavioral signals are worth instrumenting in the first place, and how to communicate data-backed recommendations to cross-functional teams without losing them in the analysis. Attending live means you can describe your specific product context and hear how that changes the approach, because the right framework for a B2B enterprise product looks different than one built for consumer growth. The coach works on these problems daily and will be sharing the reasoning patterns that separate decisions that ship from ones that stall in review.