CLASS DESCRIPTION
Parks and recreation professionals lead through constant change—budget shifts, evolving priorities, staffing challenges, and growing community expectations. This course explores purpose-driven leadership as a practical approach for making better decisions, building trust, motivating staff, and communicating with clarity and empathy—especially when the news is tough.
Using real examples from Dave Herpy’s career journey and field experience, participants will learn how self-awareness, values, and a clear “why” can serve as a leadership compass. The session also covers how to strengthen team culture through trust and belonging, improve employee engagement, communicate with intention, and guide teams through change by involving staff early and keeping focus on mission and impact.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define purpose-driven leadership and explain why self-awareness and values are foundational to leading with purpose.
- Identify practical strategies for building a culture of trust (consistency, follow-through, visibility, recognition, and psychological safety).
- Apply approaches to motivating and engaging staff by aligning roles with strengths, creating belonging, and connecting daily work to mission and purpose.
- Demonstrate communication practices that strengthen connection, including active listening, transparency, open dialogue, and giving/receiving feedback.
- Describe methods for leading through change by clarifying the “why,” acknowledging challenges, involving the team early, and staying grounded in mission and values.
After successfully passing the Knowledge Check, participants will receive a completion certificate and follow-up email. The PRB+ University team is actively working to create partnerships with CEU-accrediting agencies and administrators. Please check back regularly for updates about new CEU partners, approved courses, and submission details: https://www.prbplus.com/ceus/.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dave Herpy is the Extension Organizational Development Coordinator for NC State Extension and author of Leading with Purpose: Achieving Your Highest Potential in Work and Life. With over 20 years of experience in parks and recreation, higher education, and leadership development, Dave empowers professionals to lead with clarity, build strong teams, and foster positive organizational cultures. He has served in leadership roles with local government, higher education, and nonprofit organizations, and brings an engaging, story-driven approach to every presentation.
