Title: The Leadership Journey: Becoming an Essential Leader
Most RTO leaders became managers because they were great at the work — not because they studied leadership. You were promoted for being excellent at collections, sales, or operations. But leading people requires entirely different skills.
In this session, APRO CEO Charles Smitherman shares an original framework for understanding leadership development: the three levels of useful, important, and essential leadership. Grounded in the Platinum Rule and ethical decision-making, this framework helps you assess where you currently operate, understand what your team needs to feel truly seen and valued, and discover practical disciplines to move from reactive management to purposeful leadership.
Through examples from Ted Lasso to real RTO challenges, you’ll gain tools to become the kind of leader people choose to follow — and remember. Whether you manage one store or twenty, this session will change how you think about leadership.
Speaker: Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89024805687
Request Access to LEAP:
Request access here
Access LEAP Portal:
Access the portal here
Most RTO leaders became managers because they were great at the work — not because they studied leadership. You were promoted for being excellent at collections, sales, or operations. But leading people requires entirely different skills.
In this session, APRO CEO Charles Smitherman shares an original framework for understanding leadership development: the three levels of useful, important, and essential leadership. Grounded in the Platinum Rule and ethical decision-making, this framework helps you assess where you currently operate, understand what your team needs to feel truly seen and valued, and discover practical disciplines to move from reactive management to purposeful leadership.
Through examples from Ted Lasso to real RTO challenges, you’ll gain tools to become the kind of leader people choose to follow — and remember. Whether you manage one store or twenty, this session will change how you think about leadership.
Speaker: Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE
- CEO, Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) since 2023
- Holds PhD in International Law MSt from Oxford University; JD from the University of Georgia; Certified Association Executive (CAE)
- Leading APRO’s focus on dignity-centered commerce and ethical leadership in the RTO industry
- Author of forthcoming book The RTO Revolution (with Ryan Krass), The RTO Insight Review Blog, and multiple articles on consumer access and economic inclusion
- Developed the “Three Levels” framework for leadership development based on years of research and practical application
- Ultra-runner and open water swimmer who believes leadership is about seeing people clearly and helping them become their best selves
- Aspiring Level 3 leader and fellow traveler alongside you in this journey
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89024805687
Request Access to LEAP:
Request access here
Access LEAP Portal:
Access the portal here
