Betterboss
Level up in days, not decades.
You’re told to be more strategic. Elevate. Act like an owner. Stop thinking about your department and start thinking about the whole business. You’re too deep in the weeds.*
To succeed as an executive, you need to completely reorient how you relate to the organization and to how you show up in the role. For many bosses, this part takes decades. But it doesn’t have to.
Give us three full days. Uninterrupted. We’ll do some deep work together. We’ll get you out of the weeds, give you practical tools, and leave you with a different lens on your role. One that, you know, works.
*Even though being excellent in those weeds is why you got promoted in the first place
The right expertise
Melissa & Johnathan are seasoned operators, not well-meaning facilitators presenting someone else’s slides. They’ve spent years serving as executives and board members, and have personally worked with thousands of leaders across the world. They built this program to focus on what actually works.
The right level
An executive is not just a manager of managers. You’ll need a completely different approach to organizational strategy, and how to bring your teams along. That means building more intentional practices for skip-level management, and richer techniques for managing up and across. Both to build a more aligned and effective team, and so that you stop feeling overwhelmed by every shift in organizational focus.
The right room
This program is exclusively for senior leaders. Directors, VPs, CxOs. And while every executive needs a grounding in management fundamentals, that’s not what you’ll cover here. This is a space to work on the specific challenges of your role today, alongside other folks who know what it’s like to sit at that table. Less hedging, framing, and dodging. More honest conversation, reflection, and connection.
The right program
We’re not here to read your horoscope, and we’re not here to replace an MBA, either. We’re here to help you run shit more effectively. The good news is that the core set of practical tools for effective operators is consistent and learnable. The bad news is that it’s rarely taught. People will tell you to “Be more strategic,” or “act like an owner,” as though the rest is obvious. It isn’t. That’s what we’ll do together.
Kind words
“I cannot say enough good things about this program — it changed me and my approach to managing and working with people full stop.”
VP Strategy and advocacy,
Betterboss alum
“I wanted to say thank you for three fantastic days. It was so well done from the content, facilities to the delivery and activities. I was impressed.”
VP HR,
Betterboss alum
“Betterboss has been the most transformative event in my journey to becoming a better manager and leader.”
Chief product officer,
Betterboss alum
“Nearly two months out from Betterboss, I am reaching for and implementing tools and strategies I learned in the training on a daily basis.”
Non-profit executive director,
Betterboss alum
“This was really awesome! I worried Betterboss was going to feel super long, as most 3 day events do. On the contrary, the pace was great, the breaks were always well-timed, and the 3 days felt like the perfect amount of time.”
Director of engineering,
Betterboss alum
Can you share more about the program?
This is in-depth and transformative work. And it only works if you’re in it. So no, you can’t step out and take a phone call in the hallway. And you’re unlikely to be totally on top of your inbox while you’re with us. But at the end of three days, we promise, you will walk out different than you walked in.
Before Betterboss
Ahead of our time together, Melissa and Johnathan will schedule a 20-minute individual intake call with each member of the cohort. This will give us a chance to meet ahead of the program, answer any lingering questions, and help us tailor our time together.
Be more strategic
Day 1
Be more strategic. You probably fall into one of two buckets. Either you are tired of hearing this said to you. Or you’re exhausted from saying this to everyone else. On day one, we do a deep dive on strategy. Both how to engage with it and also how to bring the rest of the organization along. You’ll end the day with a new lens on how to grapple with strategy and concrete tools to communicate and operationalize strategic bets, across your organization.
Act like an owner
Day 2
Act like an owner. When you’re starting out, you get raised and praised for your orientation toward your team and your own boss. And then the moment you become an executive, you get punished for it. Suddenly, you’re accountable to your peers in senior leadership, and to the organization overall. This is a big shift, and requires new tools. On day 2, we get methodical about how to build an aligned team. You’ll get crisp about the tradeoffs you make and the risks you take, and how to have hard conversations upfront. You’ll end the day owning not just the accountability and success of your team, but also your presence in the room.
Get out of the weeds
Day 3
Get out of the weeds. Sounds great. But how do you elevate when your team needs answers, and everything is urgent, and you really like staying close to the work? On day 3, we build a ladder. We’ll introduce essential tools for managing managers, building effective skip-level relationships, and a path to get you out of the weeds, without leaving your team behind. You’ll end the day with an evolution of your existing leadership and management toolkit, and several new tools to put into use. Ones that will scale with you as your executive mandate grows.
After Betterboss
One month after we wrap, we’ll come back together as a cohort for an hour over Zoom. We’ll cheer for the places you’ve made progress, address any questions that have come up, or anywhere you need a refresher. By the end of the program, you’ll have folks in your corner for life. And it will be nice to say hello again to them, too.
Dedicated, Accessible Venue
Betterboss is hosted in our painstakingly restored 1920s bank, complete with huge windows, lots of light, fresh air, and a private patio — all a 3-minute walk from the subway.
So here’s the deal.
To make sure we have the right mix of leaders in the room (similar challenges, similar headaches), enrollment is application-based.
If you want in, you have to apply. Applications are open until end of February.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you say more about Directors and up?
Can you say more about Directors and up?
Betterboss is exclusively for Directors and up — all the way through to VPs, C-suite, and founders. If you’re doing that job and you’ve ever been told to “Be more strategic. Get out of the weeds. Stop thinking about your department and start thinking about the whole business.” This is for you.
What if I want to attend with colleagues?
What if I want to attend with colleagues?
We love that. Please fill out your own applications and in the section where we ask if there’s anything else we should know, just note that you’re part of a cadre. If you are looking to attend with a bigger group or are interested in a private program, shoot us a note.
What about non-profit leaders? Is the program a fit for us?
What about non-profit leaders? Is the program a fit for us?
We’ve worked with leaders from education, government, and other not-for-profit organizations. While we talk about building effective teams working towards well-constructed goals, we’re very intentionally non-prescriptive about what those goals should be.
Also, we offer do-gooder bosses a discount on registration. Send us an email.
Is Betterboss eligible for the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)?
Is Betterboss eligible for the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)?
All of our training programs are eligible for the Canada Ontario Job Grant. If you are interested in learning more, get in touch.
What if we’re coming from out of town?
What if we’re coming from out of town?
We’re so excited to host you! We made a whole PDF just for you folks. Send a note to events@rawsignal.ca and we’ll get you all squared away.
Can you talk about your approach to COVID specifically and germs in general?
Can you talk about your approach to COVID specifically and germs in general?
Betterboss is an indoor event hosted by Raw Signal Group in Toronto. Our venue has 14ft ceilings and all that air volume is continually filtered by two Alen Breathesmart 75i purifiers. Our HVAC system uses MERV-13 filters, and includes an ERV unit to regularly cycle in fresh outdoor air. We welcome you to mask throughout the event and will have CAN95 or similar masks available on-site, however we don’t require attendees to mask.
If you are sick in the week leading up to the event, please let us know. We don’t offer refunds, but we can transfer your ticket to a friend or colleague who can attend in your place.
If you are sick at any point during the event, please go home. We’ll figure out a way to get you caught up on what you missed.
Melissa and Johnathan are the only trainers for Betterboss, and they are people too. If either Melissa or Johnathan is sick in the week leading up to the event, we may need to postpone the event. If we have to postpone, we’ll give you the option to either keep your registration for the new event, or receive a refund of your registration fee.
If Melissa or Johnathan get sick during the event, we will make a decision about the best approach based on time and content remaining in the program. This approach may include postponement of the remaining program, a switch to digital delivery, program delivery by only one RSG partner, or some other solution. Whatever we do, it will be excellent. Promise.
What else should I know?
What else should I know?
We’ve worked with thousands of leaders and if the room is too warm, you will all fall asleep. We set the temp a bit on the cool side. If you’re someone who trends chilly, you won’t be sad to have an extra layer (hoodie, sweater, hat, parka — your choice!) to ensure you’re comfortable.
Is there a code of conduct for this program?
Is there a code of conduct for this program?
Yes. All Raw Signal Events are governed by our inclusion policy, and every attendee must read and agree to it before participating.
We can’t wait to see you.
Johnathan and Melissa Nightingale are the founders of Raw Signal Group, best-selling authors, and world experts on management and leadership.
Not ready for Betterboss yet?
If what you need is less about strategy and more about building a strong foundation of management skills, we’d love to see you in BPX, our comprehensive management training program.