IN-PERSON | The Paradox Toolkit | Part One: Foundations for Navigating Leadership in Tensions

Ever feel like leadership pulls you in opposite directions? Push for results, but stay empathetic. Innovate, but don’t lose stability. Move fast, but keep quality high. These aren’t problems you can “fix”. They’re paradoxes to navigate, made up of two polarities that both bring value and must coexist.

In this session, you’ll get introduced to polarity mapping, a simple, practical tool that helps you see the full picture, avoid unintended consequences, and create sustainable “both/and” solutions.

Through interactive discussion and examples, you’ll learn how to:

Spot the paradoxes that show up in your own leadership
Map the upsides and downsides of each pole
Apply a 4-step repeatable framework for finding balance in tough situations

This workshop sets the stage for Part 2, where you’ll roll up your sleeves and practice polarity mapping in action.

Rashel Hughley is the founder of HR consulting firm10:Ninety, Inc., an organization focused on creating exceptional leaders, teams and employee experiences. She is a self-proclaimed ‘people geek’ who believes effective leaders are the key to organizations with strong cultures and results. She helps organizations understand where they are and partners with them to reach their goals.

In her nearly 20-year HR career, Rashel has worked for some of the world’s most recognizable industry leaders. She has led teams for marketing & advertising leader VML, Healthcare IT leader Oracle Cerner, Hallmark Cards Inc., and was an adjunct professor at Rockhurst University. Among other things, her broad experience includes learning and development, recruiting, employee experience, leadership and organizational effectiveness, and employee relations.

Rashel is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia (BSBA, MBA). She has training in human-centered design and holds certifications in coaching, team effectiveness, employee engagement, and work style differences.

She is a trusted coach and advisor to individuals and organizations across multiple industries and has also provided non-profit board leadership. She was recognized as one of Ingram’s Magazine’s 40 Under Forty, a group of leaders that represent the future of business in Kansas City.

When she’s not working, you can find her volunteering in the community, in her garage working on a DIY project, or having impromptu dance parties in the living room with her husband, 3-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter.

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 6TH.

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Date and Time

Wednesday Oct 8, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT

11:30 AM - Arrival, Mingle and Enjoy Lunch
12:00 PM - Program Begins
1:00 PM - Program Ends

Please Provide Us Notice If You Need To Cancel:
We understand that schedules change. If you have registered for this program and can no longer attend, we greatly appreciate you notifying us of your cancellation by completing our cancellation form or emailing hello@centralexchange.org at least 48-hours prior to the program if possible. This is so we can adjust our catering order to help eliminate food waste and prepare accordingly. Thank you!

Location

IN-PERSON AT UMKC BLOCH EXECUTIVE HALL
5108 CHERRY STREET, ROOM 414
KANSAS CITY, MO 64110

You will receive an email from UMKC Parking 24-48 hours prior to the program. This will include a personalized link to the parking registration portal. To complete registration, you will enter your vehicle information, including your license plate number.

Parking is available in the Cherry Street Garage and you are able to park in Lot 12, Lot 14 or Lot 19, or any of the other lots in red on the map (see here).

Fees/Admission

FREE for CX Members
1 Voucher for CX Partners
$35.00 for Non-members
No refunds.

Interested in becoming a CX Member? Read more about membership here and be our guest for up to two CX Programs or Exchange Circles.

Contact Information

Allison Baker
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