Welcome, Conservation Leader!

You didn't get into this work to manage spreadsheets and navigate personnel issues. You're here because you care about fish, wildlife, and wild places. But now you're leading people, and that comes with challenges nobody prepared you for.

What if you could skip the years of trial-and-error most leaders go through?
Over the next 6 weeks, we're meeting once a week to tackle the leadership situations that might be keeping you up at night. No generic corporate training. Just practical, field-tested guidance built specifically for the realities for the field of fish and wildlife management.

Here's what we're covering:
    1. The Doer-to-Leader Transition - Make the psychological shift from technical expert to team leader
    2. Difficult Conversations & Feedback - Address performance issues without the drama
    3. Leading Field-Dispersed Teams - Build trust and accountability with staff you rarely see
    4. Leadership Within the North American Model - Balance scientific management with public trust responsibilities
    5. Wildlife Agency Funding Models - Finally understand the financial puzzle (and explain it to your team)
    6. Building Effective Conservation Teams - Create high-performing teams within conservation culture (this is my FAVORITE session!)
Each session includes focused content, guided discussions with peers facing the same challenges, and tools you can use immediately.

Your leadership matters. The wildlife and places we're protecting need you to succeed in this role. You don't have to figure all this out alone.

Questions along the way? Reach out to me anytime at tabbi@tabbikinion.com







Session 6

 Building and Leading Effective Teams

June 30, 2026


Prework
During the Session
Additional Resources







Session 5

Navigating Wildlife Agency Funding Models

June 16, 2026


Prework
  • Visit this website: Partner with a Payer Funding Sources
  • On the website, find:
    • What your states' apportionments were for the Federal Fiscal Year 2026
    • From the Partner with a Payer tab, watch at least one of the videos
    • Consider how this funding impacts your job
  • ⬇️ Answer the pre-session reflection questions in the participant guide
During the Session
Post-Session Challenge: Connecting to Agency Funding
Identify one specific connection between your work and the funding source supporting what you do. How can you tell the story of where the funding comes from and why it's so important?

Additional Resources







Session 4
Leadership Within the North American
Model of Wildlife Management

June 16, 2026


Prework
During the Session
Post-Session Challenge
Connecting to the North American Model
Choose one project or program you're currently managing and:
  1. Identify which tenet of the Model it most directly supports
  2. Write down three specific ways your work on this project upholds that tenet
  3. Share these connections with your team during your next meeting
  4. Ask team members to identify how their roles support the same tenet
Bonus Resources








Session 3
Leading Field-Dispersed Teams: 
Managing Staff You Rarely See

June 9, 2026


Prework
  • Watch this video - How to Build Great Teams
  • Watch this video - Loneliness and the Power of Connection
  • Answer the pre-session reflection questions in the Participant Guide
During the Session
Post-Session Challenge
Implement the "Field-First Communication" approach
Choose one field staff member and redesign your communication approach with them:
  1. Ask them what communication methods and timing work best for their field conditions
  2. Establish one reliable, consistent check-in time that works for both of you
  3. Focus your next three conversations on obstacles they're facing and how you can help, rather than status updates
  4. Follow through on any commitments you make during these conversations
Bonus resources








Session 2
Difficult Conversations & 
Feedback That Works

June 2, 2026


Prework
      • Watch this video - Radical Candor in 6 Minutes (6 minutes)
      • Download/Copy the Participant Guide and answer the Pre-reflection Questions
During the Session
Post-Session Challenge
Practice the "Curious Questions" Approach - Instead of jumping to solutions when issues arise, commit to asking these questions: 
          1. Please help me understand what happened from your perspective.
          2. What factors contributed to this situation?
          3. What ideas do you have for moving forward?
More Resources for You to Explore







Session 1
The Doer-to-Leader Transition:
 Shifting Your Identity

May 26th, 2026


Prework
  • Watch this video and this one (both together will take less than 10 minutes)
  • Answer the Pre-session Reflection Questions in the Participant Guide
During the Session
Post-Session Challenge
  • Instead of solving problems for your employees, for the next two weeks, practice asking these questions:
    • What do you think the best solution might be
    • What information do you need to move forward?
    • How can I support you in implementing this?
More Resources for You to Explore