Your Elevation Starts Here.

World-Class training solutions to help you and your organization reach the peak.

Leading a team, launching a business, or overhauling your culture?

The First Ascent Academy gives you the training and tools to get there.

“Some of the best leadership development I have received in 20+ years.”

- Tim Banc
Abiomed

Two Operating Systems to Supercharge your Organization​

Manager OS

For Frontline and Mid-level Managers

The Operating System that creates Engagement, Trust & Results.

Leadership OS

For Senior Teams

The Operating System for Alignment, Culture, and Growth.

Signature Programs

Workshops & Online Courses

Immersive cohorts that drive meaningful transformation across your organizations.

Signature Programs

Nine Minutes
on Monday

The Leadership Framework Trusted by 50,000+ Managers Worldwide

Used by leaders across 5 continents, this flagship program has helped over 50,000 managers boost engagement, morale, and performance—without burning out. 

Based on the bestselling book Nine Minutes on Monday, this simple weekly system empowers busy managers to lead with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

Best for: Frontline and mid-level managers who want to elevate their leadership and make a lasting impact.

Leader OS

For Senior Teams

A leadership operating system that aligns senior teams around a clear compass, strong relationships, and disciplined execution. It ensures strategy, culture, and performance move in the same direction.

Manager OS

For Front-line and Mid-level Managers

A leadership operating system that installs clarity, execution discipline, and people leadership into the manager’s week.

It turns inconsistent management into a repeatable, high-performance standard.

The Climb

An 8-week cohort to help you elevate your life. Based on the book, The Call to Climb, this program will help you gain massive clarity, overcome the fears holding you back, and step into your true potential. 

Next expedition is starting soon.

Free Training

Elevate as a leader with weekly tools and tips sent to your inbox.

"Working with James was a turning point for our leadership team.
In a 32-year-old manufacturing plant like ours, change isn’t always easy, but James made it real, personal, and lasting."

- Chat Yates
Plant Manager - Ball Corp.

Online Courses

Build leadership on your schedule. These self-paced programs give you the frameworks, tools, and mindset to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact—wherever you are on your journey.

Our Most Popular Programs

Transform your leadership in only nine minutes a week.  Learn the simple framework that’s helped thousands of busy managers increase the engagement and motivation of their teams.  

In this course James will show you how to become an effective coach who helps your team reach new levels of performance.

Free up valuable time to lead, and empower your staff by leveraging the Delegation Protocol.

There is nothing more powerful than one-on-ones to create empowered and motivated employees. This course is going to teach you how to do them.

Introducing – “The Art of Accountability” – a specialized training program crafted for managers like you, who want to harness the transformative power of accountability.

The transition from a front-line employee to being in management is the most difficult shift in business.

From Bud to Boss will help you avoid the most common mistakes AND become the leader even your friends want to follow.

This training will give you a simple 5-step process for handling conversations when stakes are high.

Psychological safety is the cornerstone of high-performing teams. It’s the secret ingredient that fosters creativity, resilience, and exceptional results. This course will show you how. 

Psychological safety is the cornerstone of high-performing teams. It’s the secret ingredient that fosters creativity, resilience, and exceptional results. This course will show you how. 

This training will give you a simple 5-step process for handling conversations when stakes are high.

Pendiente

pendiente

Pendiente

As a department of one, your influence can still be profound. In fact, you have the power to shape the culture, drive innovation, and foster a collaborative environment.

But it all comes down to your ability to influence.

pendiente

pendiente

A FLEXIBLE Productivity System that’s Guaranteed to Help You Get More Done, In Less Time, So You Never Have to Take Work Home With You Again.

Free up valuable time to lead, and empower your staff by leveraging the Delegation Protocol.

Captivate will teach you how to structure and deliver captivating presentations so you’re able to communicate your message with power, and confidence for maximum impact.

 

Discover the Power of Storytelling to Inspire, Connect, and Lead

Transform your leadership in only nine minutes a week.  Learn the simple framework that’s helped thousands of busy managers increase the engagement and motivation of their teams.