April Ballestero, the visionary behind One Light Ahead, has dedicated her career to coaching leaders and transforming organizations. Recognizing the growing demand for impactful coaching frameworks and strategies, she expanded her mission by developing One Light Academy. One Light Academy is designed to train and certify additional coaches, empowering them to share these transformative principles with more individuals and organizations. This is accomplished through The Leadership Academy Train the Trainer Immersion Program, a comprehensive training phase where coaches learn the methodologies in depth. Certification is achieved by running their own cohorts with guidance, preparing them to deliver impactful leadership development programs and contribute to the mission.
The Academy focuses on leadership and team development, prioritizing human connection, purposeful alignment, and fostering cohesive, high-performing teams. Through structured programs, these certified coaches expand the mission’s impact, equipping leaders to create thriving environments. The vision is to create a ripple effect—more coaches, more teams, and more leaders who embrace connection and collaboration as the foundation of success.
We recently wrapped up the immersive Train the Trainer phase of The Leadership Academy, and now our coaches are entering the certification phase of the program. With leadership and team building at the heart of this experience, we divided the coaches into teams to foster collaboration and growth. Here are the highlights from one standout team, Team 4.
Meet Team 4:
Alex McMillan: Known as the "Unicorn Maker," Alex’s leadership philosophy revolves around finding and nurturing the limitless potential in others. With over 30 years of leadership experience and a track record of building multi-million-dollar companies, Alex brings a wealth of wisdom and humility to the table. His approach inspires leaders to recognize the unique potential within themselves and their teams.
Amanda Workman Yarnall: Amanda describes herself as a master visionary with 17 years of solopreneur experience. Her focus on igniting visions and developing clarity for action resonates deeply with the principles of Leadership Academy. Amanda shares how the program gave her the courage to embrace her leadership role and elevate her self-accountability and efficiency.
Collin Dalley: With 35 years of experience in helping businesses connect with customers, Collin is dedicated to creating empathetic, high-performing teams. His insights into building inclusive and connected teams make him an invaluable contributor to the team’s mission.
Principles of Leadership Academy
Team 4’s presentation highlighted the essential components of transformative leadership, including:
- Seeing the High Potential in Others: Leadership Academy teaches leaders to “see people accurately” and recognize the unique value each team member brings.
- Fostering Deep Connections: Meaningful relationships form the foundation of high-performing teams.
- Cultivating Accountability and Trust: Building a culture of safety and mutual respect is pivotal for success.
- Creating Sustainable Growth: Leadership isn’t about quick fixes but about developing habits that lead to long-term, compounding growth.
Alex McMillan’s Inspiring Message: “Looking for Your Unicorns? Good News! They’re Everywhere.”
A highlight of the presentation was Alex McMillan’s segment, where he invited the audience to shift their perspective on leadership:
“Are you looking for unicorns—that one person who will transform your organization? Stop looking. Instead, recognize that you are the unicorn maker. Find the unique potential within yourself and learn to see the ‘oneness’ in others.”
Alex shared a personal story about his grandmother, who saw potential in him as a child, teaching him to notice “God’s beauty in everything.” This pivotal lesson shaped his leadership philosophy. He encouraged listeners to reflect on the people who saw potential in them and to strive to be that person for others. Leadership Academy, he emphasized, provides the tools to see, connect, and awaken this potential in others.
You can watch a snippet of Alex’s powerful message here: Looking for Your Unicorns? Good News! They’re Everywhere.
Transformations Through Leadership Academy
Each member of Team 4 shared testimonials about the profound impact the Academy had on their leadership journey:
- Alex McMillan: “Leadership Academy was humbling. It taught me to step back, read the room, and truly serve others by stepping into their world.”
- Amanda Workman Yarnall: “This program fast-tracked 12 years of leadership investment in just six weeks. It gave me significance, credibility, and the courage to show up as the leader I know I am.”
- Collin Dalley: “Leadership Academy shifted my focus from systems to the emotional mechanics of leadership. It’s about connecting deeply with people and unlocking their potential.”
Why One Light Ahead Leadership Academy?
Leadership Academy is not a traditional program. It’s a transformational process that embeds proven leadership principles through spaced repetition, practical application, and accountability. Whether you’re a leader looking to grow your team’s potential or a business owner aiming to build a high-performing culture, this Academy offers a customizable framework tailored to your vision and goals.
Start your journey today. Join at the Train the Trainer level or partner with One Light Ahead to transform your business culture and achieve exponential growth. Ready to make a difference? Connect with us now.
