Emerging Managers Institute

Leadership

Construction professionals are often promoted into management because they’re exceptional at their technical work. The Emerging Managers Institute (EMI) is where they learn to lead. This immersive program gives new and aspiring construction managers the people skills, self-awareness, and management tools they need to make the transition from individual contributor to confident leader.

Built exclusively for the construction and engineering industry, EMI combines personal assessment work, facilitated leadership discussions, and peer learning exercises grounded in the real challenges of managing people on projects and in the field. You'll build the skills most critical for first-time managers: building relationships, delegating effectively, managing time and priorities, and developing the accountability habits that define high-performing leaders.

Who Should Attend the Emerging Managers Institute

EMI is designed for construction and engineering professionals who are stepping into, or preparing to step into, management for the first time. Ideal candidates include:

  • New or potential managers
  • Departmental managers
  • Project managers
  • Assistant project managers
  • Project engineers
  • Estimators
  • Field leaders/foremen/superintendents

Benefits of the Emerging Managers Institute

For your organization

  • Reduce the risk of promoting high performers into management without the right preparation
  • Develop the next generation of leaders and create clear paths to career advancement
  • Build management skills that strengthen project delivery and team performance
  • Create a more consistent management culture across your organization

For you personally

  • Gain clarity on your communication and behavioral style through the DiSC assessment
  • Build the delegation, feedback, and accountability skills that define effective managers
  • Develop an individual action plan you can implement immediately after the program
  • Learn how to shift from doing the work to leading the people who do it
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Emerging Managers Institute

The Emerging Managers Institute is designed for construction and engineering professionals stepping into management for the first time, whether recently promoted or preparing to lead others. It is especially relevant for project engineers, assistant project managers, estimators, and field leaders transitioning into people management roles.

EMI is built specifically for the construction and engineering industry. The content, scenarios, and peer discussions reflect the realities of managing teams on projects and in field environments, making the learning directly applicable to day-to-day leadership challenges, unlike general management programs adapted from other industries.

Participants gain a clearer understanding of their communication and behavioral style through the DiSC assessment, along with practical skills building relationships, delegating effectively, managing time and priorities, and holding teams accountable. The program helps new managers shift from doing the work themselves to leading others effectively, with an individual action plan they can apply immediately.

EMI participants complete the DiSC personality assessment as part of the program. DiSC helps participants understand their natural behavioral style and how they communicate under pressure, giving new managers an immediately practical framework for leading their teams more effectively.

Yes. EMI is designed for professionals who have just stepped into management and those who are being developed for a leadership role in the near future. Attending before you're fully in the role can be an advantage, as you'll enter with the tools and self-awareness to lead effectively from day one rather than learning on the job.

The program fee includes all program materials, the DiSC behavioral assessment, a cocktail reception, select meals throughout the program, and a certificate of completion. Lodging is not included. Your welcome email will include the full meal schedule and information on how to book lodging.

Many EMI alumni go on to attend the Leadership Institute or the Project Manager Academy as they advance in their careers. Your next step will depend on your role — if you're in the field, the Field Leader Institute is a strong fit. If you're managing projects, the Project Manager Academy builds directly on what you learn at EMI.

Yes. EMI is particularly well-suited for firms launching internal talent development initiatives, and culture-building efforts. FMI can customize the content to your organization’s specific context and goals. Contact us to explore options.

Upcoming 2026 Sessions
August 18-20 Denver, CO
October 6-8 Raleigh, NC
November 10-12 Denver, CO
Price: $5,600

Register for 2026

Upcoming 2027 Sessions
March 2-4 Raleigh, NC
April 6-8 Denver, CO
June 22-24 Raleigh, NC
August 3-5 Raleigh, NC
October 5-7 Raleigh, NC
November 9-11 Denver, CO
Price: $6,100

Register for 2027

What Attendees Say

“This program is fantastic for emerging managers in any organization. It’s a great opportunity to meet people from outside your organization, which makes it both enjoyable and engaging. You’ll receive practical, nuanced guidance to support your career journey, and best of all, the training is interactive, allowing you to fully participate and apply what you learn.”

— John Pettinato, HR Business Partner, Keller North America

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