Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today: The Leadership Candidate Program
The foundation of Sunstates Security’s operational excellence lies in its people. Recognizing the immense value of firsthand field experience, Sunstates prioritizes promoting from within. However, transitioning from frontline operations to management demands a distinct set of skills. Across the security industry, many leaders are promoted based solely on their technical capabilities and subsequently struggle without proper leadership preparation. To bridge this gap, Sunstates created the Leadership Candidate Program (LCP).
The LCP’s core objective is to foster professional growth by building new skills and behaviors, empowering employees to achieve short- and long-term goals. Each field manager identifies and mentors high-potential employees each year, actively supporting their professional growth. Through guided learning, managers help candidates cultivate essential leadership behaviors, refine interpersonal communication, navigate conflict, master performance-based hiring, and achieve both short- and long-term career milestones.
Sunstates’ Leadership Candidate Program
The program is organized into three progressive, targeted tiers:
- Tier 1: Foundational Management
- Target Audience: Frontline personnel aspiring to become entry-level Account Managers, Operations Managers, or Department Managers.
- Curriculum Focus: Enhancing self-awareness, building collaborative team dynamics, modern recruitment practices, and agile daily planning.
- Featured Courses: Communicating Effectively, Emotional Intelligence, Effective Interviewing, The Top 10 Best Hiring and Recruiting Practices for Performance Based Hiring, Working with the Kanban Board, Agile Leadership, and Setting Goals and Guidelines for High Performance.
- Tier 2: Regional & Multi-Site Oversight
- Target Audience: Established managers preparing for Regional Manager or National Account Manager responsibilities.
- Curriculum Focus: Expanding organizational influence, understanding the science of employee motivation, resolving workplace conflict, and project execution.
- Featured Courses: The Art of Influence, Fundamental Four of Leadership: Communication, The Puzzle of Motivation, Talking Through Conflict, The Art of Execution, and Creative Brainstorming for Innovation.
- Tier 3: Executive Leadership
- Target Audience: Senior leaders aiming for Director and Vice President positions.
- Curriculum Focus: Navigating organizational change, leading with empathy, mastering psychometric assessment tools, and driving enterprise accountability.
- Featured Courses: Influencing to Win/Win, Ready. Set. Change., Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact, 4 Essentials for Compassionate Leadership, The Nine Types of Enneagram, and Creating Accountability.
The curriculum is intentionally progressive, requiring participants to master Tiers 1 and 2 before qualifying for Tier 3. By pairing dedicated one-on-one mentorship with comprehensive professional education, the Leadership Candidate Program ensures that Sunstates continues to cultivate capable, confident leaders directly from within our own ranks.
Take the Next Step in Your Career
Are you ready to grow your leadership skills and prepare for your next role at Sunstates? Participation in the Leadership Candidate Program begins at the local level. If you are interested in joining the program, speak directly with your local management team to discuss your goals, confirm eligibility, and get nominated.
Explore Sunstates Academy
You don’t have to wait for a formal nomination to start expanding your knowledge. Log in to Sunstates Academy at any time to navigate our catalog of self-paced courses. Whether you want to sharpen your communication, explore new operational methodologies, or build specialized security skills, Sunstates Academy offers tools and learning modules to help you take ownership of your professional development today.
Discover Nationwide Opportunities
Head to the internal careers page to view leadership and management openings nationwide as Sunstates continues to expand.