UT’s C-Suite Insights offers a reality check for executives
Many professionals spend decades fueled by the dream of climbing the corporate ladder. But what happens when you finally reach the top, and you realize the view from the C-suite isn’t what you expected?
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business is addressing that uncertainty through C-Suite Insights (CSI).
Unlike traditional seminars or casual networking groups, CSI is a six-month, in-person executive circle based in Nashville designed for raw conversations about what it really takes to lead at the next level sustainably.
Director of Graduate and Executive Education Deborah Watts says the next cohort will start in May and include 30 mid- to senior-level leaders.
About the program
The hallmark of the program is its direct access to those who have already navigated the complexities of high-level leadership.
“Each cohort, I bring in two executives, typically CEOs, from the C-suite,” Watts explains. “They share their stories of success, of failure, the good, the bad. It’s an opportunity for people to really understand the real-world application of what it looks like to lead at this level.”
The roster of past speakers reads like a “Who’s Who” of Tennessee industry leaders, including Burke Nihill (Tennessee Titans), Sean Henry (Nashville Predators), Brian James (Barrett Firearms), Sharon Roberson (YWCA), Sarah Trahern (Country Music Association), and Terry Turner (Pinnacle Financial Partners).
Confronting the “dark side” of leadership
While hearing from CEOs is invaluable, the program also turns the lens inward. Participants undergo a battery of assessments to understand their own leadership competencies and how they are hardwired. A major differentiator for the program is its focus on what Watts calls the “dark side.”
Often dismissed as “soft skills,” Watts argues these are actually one’s “critical skills.” The dark side refers to derailers, or traits that typically surface only when a leader is under extreme stress or pressure.
“Typically, people are not let go because of a technical skill,” says Watts. “Data shows that most folks are let go from a position because of a lack of emotional intelligence, these so-called soft skills.”
By the end of the six months, some participants confirm their C-suite ambitions, while others find a different kind of clarity.
“They’re not just learning what it looks like to be a CEO. They’re also learning about their own leadership competencies,” Watts says. “So at the end of it, they really know that they want to be in the C-Suite. And in other cases, I’ve had participants say this was so powerful, but now I know I want to be the number two person at an organization or the number three, but not that head position.”
Program success stories
The program is now entering its fourth year with nearly 100 alumni.
For participants like Eddie Alford, senior director of team member engagement at Pinnacle Financial Partners, the program’s value lies in its community.
“The UT-CSI program is an outstanding leadership and executive development experience,” Alford says. “One of the most valuable aspects was the relationships built with my cohort and the opportunity to learn directly from some of Nashville’s most accomplished CEOs. A consistent lesson these leaders emphasized, and one that continues to resonate with me, is the importance of excelling in your current role, even when advancement isn’t immediate. Leadership is always observing, and you never know which colleague or leader may become a future advocate for your next opportunity.”
Expanding the CSI program
While the program is rooted in Nashville, its impact is spreading. Watts has received inquiries about expanding C-Suite Insights to Knoxville, Memphis, and possibly Atlanta.
“We want to get five years under our belt before we build new bases,” Watts says regarding expansion, though she notes that current participants often drive in from outside Nashville to attend.
Beyond the C-suite, UT offers a pipeline of other Nashville development opportunities, including an emerging leaders program and a hybrid coaching program.
“The University of Tennessee’s goal is to supply top talent to employers across the state,” Watts says. “We want to provide workplaces with strong candidates who are prepared and ready to contribute from day one. That means meeting people where they are, whether they’re in college or already in the workforce and participating in programs like this, so they receive the best possible development. In turn, employers gain access to highly prepared candidates for their open positions.”
Get involved
Registration for the upcoming cohort is open through the end of April.
- Availability: It’s ideal for participants to be available for all six sessions.
- Capacity: The last three cohorts have sold out; this year’s group is currently 50% full.
- Investment: $2,750 (UT Alums receive a 20% discount).
- Corporate Savings: If a company sends two employees, the third attends at no additional charge.
“We offer a corporate discount, which makes it easier for organizations to send multiple employees through the program together. It’s an opportunity for team members from the same organization to be in the group because then they can process through some of their own internal company issues while they’re learning,” says Watts.
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