The Brilliant School
of Leadership
Discover the Astonishing Lightness of Self-Leadership with the Lord
Imagine a way of leading that feels profoundly light—unburdened by striving, yet astonishingly effective in bringing Heaven's reality to Earth. Through a two-year journey of formation, discover the divine yoke of partnership that transforms every challenge into an opportunity for His glory to shine through you.
Now Enrolling: Fall 2026 · Classes Begin September 2026 · Limited Seats
The Partnership Yoke: Oneness That Makes Leadership Light
Jesus offers an invitation straight from His heart: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." This yoke isn't a chain of obligation—it's a bond of deep friendship, where you and He move together in perfect harmony.
The Brilliant School of Leadership (BSOL) is a comprehensive two-year formation program where you learn to navigate two realms simultaneously. Upstairs, in the eternal Kingdom, God's perspective reigns—full of abundance, wisdom, and unshakeable love. Downstairs, in our natural world, we face decisions, teams, and timelines. The key to light leadership? Letting the upstairs always inform the downstairs.
Year One establishes the foundations of identity and self-leadership. Year Two advances into Kingdom partnership and activation. Through both, you'll discover your unique Kingdom space—where your gifts align with His heart, making leadership feel like effortless co-creation.
| BSOL I — Year One | BSOL II — Year Two | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Heart & Mind | Oneness |
| Core Curriculum | Self-Leadership: 24 Weeks | Kingdom Partnership: 24 Weeks |
| Mastery Semester | Elective Coursework: 8 Weeks | Kingdom Activation: 8 Weeks |
| Semesters | Fall & Spring (Semesters 1–2) | Fall & Spring (Semesters 3–4) |
Your Leadership Journey
A guided pathway from self-discovery to Kingdom impact. Each milestone builds on the last, forming a complete leadership formation.
BSOL I: Living Upstairs — Foundations of Identity
Year One is an intensive journey into what it means to live from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one. Across 24 weeks, you'll discover your new creation identity—the "Three + Me" framework that establishes Trinitarian partnership at the core of your leadership. Each theme is paired with a Kingdom Routine, moving head knowledge into lived experience through practices like the Exchange Store, where you trade anxiety and striving for God's peace and provision.
Semester 1: Identity & Renewal (Weeks 1–12)
Living Upstairs
Routine: Reset Through Rest
Discover what it means to live from a heavenly perspective rather than an earthly one. This foundational theme establishes the 'upstairs' mindset.
New Creation (Three + Me)
Routine: New Every Morning
Explore the theological and practical dimensions of your new creation identity. The 'Three + Me' framework establishes the Trinitarian partnership at the core of your leadership.
Relational Learning
Routine: Exchange Store
Leadership formation happens in relationship, not isolation. Discover how rest and the 'yoke' of Christ create the optimal environment for transformative learning.
Semester 2: Promise & Position (Weeks 13–24)
Perspective vs. Perception
Routine: Practicing Your New Nature
What you perceive is not always what is true. Learn to distinguish between human perception and God's perspective — a critical leadership skill.
State vs. Standing
Routine: Flip the Switch
Your current state is not your standing. This distinction is one of the most liberating truths a leader can learn — leading from identity even when circumstances challenge.
Anatomy of a Promise
Routine: Standing on Your Promises
The capstone of Year One. Learn to identify, claim, and steward the promises God has spoken over your life — active, strategic partnership with God's declared intentions.
Upon completion of BSOL I, you will have:
- Established an upstairs perspective that governs your downstairs decisions
- Developed 6 Kingdom Routines including the Exchange Store and Flip the Switch
- Learned to distinguish between your state (circumstances) and your standing (identity)
- Created a personal promise portfolio—active partnership with God's declared intentions
- Prepared to enter your unique Kingdom space of gift, work, and purpose
BSOL II: From Servant to Friend — The Art of Oneness
Year Two moves you from servant to friend. The relationship with God progresses into the "Yoke Voice"—learning to recognize and respond to God's conversational invitation. Across 24 weeks, you'll discover your unique Kingdom space where your gifts align with His heart, making leadership feel like effortless co-creation. Peace and joy become permanent, and you step into the good fight of faith—anchored in Christ's victory, not weary striving.
Semester 3: Deepened Partnership (Weeks 1–12)
Habitation Lifestyle
Routine: Building with Your Promises
Move beyond occasional encounters with God into a habitation lifestyle — where His presence is not something you visit but somewhere you live.
Servant to Friend
Routine: Making Peace & Joy Permanent
The relationship with God progresses from servant to friend. Discover the "Yoke Voice" — learning to recognize and respond to God's conversational invitation.
Mansion Living
Routine: Living in Constant Favor
Explore the expansive fellowship available to leaders who move beyond surface-level spirituality into the many rooms of Kingdom relationship.
Semester 4: Kingdom Activation (Weeks 13–24)
Ministry of Reconciliation
Routine: Living an Unhurried Lifestyle
Leaders carry a reconciliation mandate — aligning people, organizations, and systems with God's original intent. This is a leadership posture, not just a ministry task.
Activating the Kingdom
Routine: Practicing Friendship with God
Kingdom activation requires understanding the spiritual dynamics at play. Engage in spiritual warfare from a place of victory — operating from authority already granted.
Five Stages of Activation
Routine: Activating the Kingdom
The capstone of Year Two. Learn the five progressive stages through which God activates Kingdom authority in a leader's life — a roadmap for increasing influence.
Upon completion of BSOL II, you will have:
- Moved from servant to friend—experiencing God's conversational invitation daily
- Mastered the Yoke Voice—recognizing and responding to the Father's gentle leading
- Learned to fight the good fight of faith from rest, not striving
- Made peace and joy permanent through habitation lifestyle practices
- Stepped into your unique Kingdom space where leadership feels like effortless co-creation
Elective Concentrations
Following each year's core curriculum, students select one elective concentration for their 8-week Mastery Semester. Each elective includes weekly live sessions (90 minutes), a dedicated learning guide, and a practicum component.
Kingdom Leadership
Instructor: Graham Cooke
A deep study of leadership through the lens of the Kingdom. Examine how Kingdom principles reshape organizational leadership, team development, and influence.
Topics Include
God's Team Design · Character Before Competence · Building Kingdom Culture · The Triple Bottom Line · Finding & Developing Your Team · Leading from Presence
Church Governance
Instructor: Graham Cooke
A practical and theological exploration of how churches and ministries should be structured, led, and governed according to Kingdom principles.
Topics Include
Biblical Governance Models · Elder & Board Development · Navigating Church Conflict · Vision Casting & Alignment · Stewardship of Organizational Health
Brilliant Life Coach Certification
Instructor: Brilliant Perspectives Faculty
Earn your BLC certification through this intensive practicum-based elective. Learn to apply BSOL frameworks in one-on-one and group coaching contexts.
Topics Include
Coaching Frameworks · Active Listening & Powerful Questions · Identity-Based Coaching · Promise-Centered Goal Setting · Supervised Practicum
The Third Act
Instructor: Graham & Dionne Cooke
Designed for empty nesters and anyone stepping into their "what's next" season. Over 8 sessions, build a personal Master Plan integrating identity, calling, relationships, and boundaries.
Topics Include
From Ending to New Beginning · Rediscovering Identity · Kingdom Calling · Relating to Adult Children · Intercession · Supporting Without Enabling · Boundaries · Master Plan Launch
Faculty & Instructors
BSOL is led by a team of experienced leaders, teachers, and practitioners who bring decades of Kingdom leadership experience into every session.
Dionne van Zyl
Lead Instructor
Teaches: BSOL I Core, BSOL II Core, The Third Act
Graham Cooke
Co-Instructor
Teaches: BSOL I Core, BSOL II Core, Kingdom Leadership, Church Governance, The Third Act
Bridget Cooke
Elective Instructor & Coach
Teaches: Electives & Coaching Sessions
Jenny Taylor
Elective Instructor & Coach
Teaches: Electives & Coaching Sessions
What Our Students Say
BSOL completely transformed how I understand leadership. The identity work in Year One gave me a foundation I didn't know I was missing. I lead from a completely different place now.
[Student Name]
BSOL Class of 2024 · City, State
The learning community was unlike anything I've experienced. Being surrounded by Kingdom leaders from around the world accelerated my growth in ways individual study never could.
[Student Name]
BSOL Class of 2025 · City, State
The Third Act elective changed everything for my wife and me. We went from grieving our kids leaving to launching into the most exciting season of our lives.
[Student Name]
BSOL Class of 2024 · City, State
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
BSOL is an investment in your leadership formation. Connect with our enrollment team to learn more about the program, discuss your goals, and explore how the Brilliant School of Leadership can serve your Kingdom calling.
What's Included
- 24 weeks core curriculum per year
- 1 elective concentration (8 weeks) per year
- Weekly live sessions with Graham & faculty
- Complete learning guides & resources
- Access to BSOL student community
- Replay access to all sessions
Fall 2026 · Limited Enrollment · Classes Begin September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
BSOL is designed for anyone who senses God calling them into deeper leadership — whether in ministry, the marketplace, their family, or their community. Our students include pastors, business owners, nonprofit leaders, coaches, parents, and individuals in life transition. No prior theological education is required; what matters is a hunger to grow.
Core curriculum runs for 24 weeks per year with one live session per week (approximately 90 minutes). The mastery semester adds 8 additional weeks of elective study. Most students invest 3–5 hours per week including session time, learning guide practice, and personal reflection.
All sessions are live with replay access available. We strongly encourage live attendance for the interactive and relational components, but recorded sessions are available within the student portal shortly after each live session.
BSOL II builds directly on the foundations established in Year One. Completion of BSOL I (or equivalent preparation, assessed by the faculty) is required for enrollment in BSOL II.
After completing your 24-week core semester, you choose one elective concentration for your 8-week mastery semester. Additional electives may be taken separately.
The Brilliant Life Coach (BLC) Certification qualifies graduates to coach under the Brilliant Perspectives framework. It is a practitioner certification grounded in the BSOL curriculum, not an accredited academic degree.
We offer flexible payment plans. For specific financial circumstances, please contact our enrollment team to discuss options.
The Father Beams: "Let's Co-Create Wonders Together"
This is your calling: to lead with astonishing lightness, yoked to the Gentle One. What worked for Jesus is designed to work for you, because the same Father who taught Him walks with you today. Step in—the yoke fits perfectly.
Begin Your ApplicationFall 2026 · Limited Enrollment · Applications Now Open