“BOSS UP!” Program
STEP 1: BUILD THE FOUNDATION
Whether you are an individual stepping into a leadership role or an organization developing its management team, effective leadership starts with a solid foundation. Step 1 focuses on the practical fundamentals of being a boss—what supervisors, managers, and leaders actually need to know to succeed.
This is not about theory or philosophy; it’s about what works. Participants work through the self-study book and workbook series based on Supervisor, Manager, Leader: The Basics of Being a Boss.
The three-part series includes the book itself, an accompanying self-assessment workbook, and a study guide workbook. For individuals, it provides a clear, practical roadmap for personal leadership growth.
For organizations, it establishes a common leadership language, shared expectations, and a consistent decision-making framework across the management team.
Prerequisite: None — this is where Boss development begins.
Buy individually or purchase as a bundle (save 15%). Volume discounts available.
Step 2: Build the Structure
Step 2 transforms a group of leaders into a confident, energized team. This live, in-person, five-day Boss Boot Camp is designed to teach participants how to effectively supervise, manage, and—most importantly—lead within your organization.
Grounded in the principles of Supervisor, Manager, Leader: The Basics of Being a Boss, this immersive program allows participants to apply and reinforce what they learned in Step 1.
Through guided discussion, real-world scenarios, and practical exercises, individuals build confidence while teams develop trust, alignment, and shared leadership standards.
The result is a well-rounded boss—or cohesive leadership team—prepared to lead decisively, communicate effectively, and execute the mission from day one.
Prerequisite: Completion of Step 1
Investment: $1,000 per participant, plus expenses. Five-participant minimum. Volume pricing available for six or more participants.
Step 3: Build the Factory
Why leave the future of your organization’s leadership to chance? Step 3 is designed for organizations that want to intentionally develop and sustain a continuous pipeline of effective bosses—leaders who understand how to supervise, manage, and lead in alignment with your mission, goals, and vision.
We work directly with your organization to assess the work environment, company culture, and existing leadership development efforts.
From there, we design a customized Boss Factory—a structured, scalable training framework that includes both initial leadership development and ongoing education tailored to your organization’s needs.
The result is a repeatable system that produces confident, capable leaders, reinforces organizational standards, and supports long-term stability, succession planning, and performance improvement.
Prerequisite: Completion of Steps 1 and 2 (Step 2 may be in progress)
Investment: $5,000, plus expenses.
"I cannot say enough about Mike Kraus Leadership! Mike’s mentorship was instrumental in my development.”
Brian R — Division chief, Caldwell Fire Department
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Organizational Diagnosis
Is your organization operating effectively? Is communication clear and consistent across all levels? Are decisions aligned with your mission and core values? Is the management–labor relationship collaborative and productive?
Mike Kraus Leadership conducts a structured organizational diagnosis to identify what is working, what is not, and why. We review guiding documents and engage personnel at all levels to gain an accurate picture of organizational health.
Findings are analyzed against industry standards and best practices and delivered in a concise diagnostic report identifying strengths, gaps, and opportunities. This assessment often serves as the foundation for effective Strategic Planning, ensuring strategies are realistic, aligned, and achievable.
Cost: Starts at $5,000, plus expenses
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Strategic Planning
Is your organization consistently meeting its mission—or is it driven by the latest emergency? Is there a clear, attainable vision for the future with a practical road map to get there? Or is the plan simply a statement that exists on paper but fails to guide daily decisions?
Building on the insights gained through an Organizational Diagnosis, Mike Kraus Leadership facilitates a collaborative strategic planning process that includes all key stakeholders. We assess the organization’s current environment and culture to determine where it stands today and where it needs to go.
The outcome is a clear, realistic five-year strategic plan—understood, supported, and actionable—designed to align people, priorities, and resources, and turn vision into reality.
Cost: Starts at $10,000, plus expenses.
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Speaking Engagements
Mike Kraus, author of “Supervisor Manager Leader; The Basics of Being a Boss” is available to speak at your team building session or event. He is a passionate speaker who will inspire your team to lead the organization into the future with renewed motivation and drive!
Cost: Starts at $2,500, plus expenses.
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Fire Service
The same products and services offered by Mike Kraus Leadership are offered in Fire Service orientation, plus the following:
- Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover Evaluation/Strategic Plan
- Regionalization Advisement
- California State Fire Training: Fire Officer 4 (Executive)
“Mike models the kind of leader I aspire to be. His genuine care of people isn't just something he talks about - it's evident in the way he leads, the lessons he shares in his book, and the thoughtful, people-centered approach he brings to his consulting work.”