Leadership and Collaboration
Close

Leadership and Collaboration

We believe that good government starts with good people—and that leadership is the most important factor influencing government performance.

But for federal leaders to provide vital services, serve as stewards of the public trust and move the country forward, they need to develop a robust set of skills.

At the Partnership, we equip federal employees at all levels with the knowledge, resources and networks they need to succeed, offering a wide range of leadership development opportunities, fostering continual collaboration within and across agencies, and convening public, private, academic and nonprofit leaders who inform our strategies for developing public service leaders.

Leadership Development: Public Service Leadership Institute®

Leadership is the most important factor influencing our government’s ability to solve challenges and serve the public.

The Public Service Leadership Institute® is the preeminent source of programs, policies and perspectives related to leading in government. Our broad suite of open enrollment and custom agency programs rely on support from a wide array of federal partners and corporate sponsors, build on over a decade’s worth of experience working with federal agencies, teams and employees, and advocate for a single standard of public service leadership through the Public Service Leadership Model.

LEARN MORE Learn about our impact Explore our programs

Major Investments

Historic measures such as the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act represent a once-in-a-generation investment by the federal government in American infrastructure, economic relief, energy resilience, manufacturing and national security.

Our government must function effectively to ensure that communities across the country benefit from the programs and services created by these investments. At the Partnership, we are developing a new learning system—an ongoing source of knowledge and expertise for implementing large-scale investment programs.

LEARN MORE

Networks

About 2 million federal employees work in 15 Cabinet departments and more than 400 independent agencies and subcomponents across government. To maximize their impact, these employees must work together, build cross-agency and cross-sector connections, and find structured time to share best practices.    

Our federal networks build continuity between administrations, equipping political appointees and senior career leaders with key nonpartisan insights and management practices to drive change at their agencies and tackle emerging problems. These networks also include former federal officials and individuals from the private sector invested in uncovering creative ways to make government work better.

Thumbnail for Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Management Roundtable

A network that provides a safe environment for assistant secretaries for administration and management and their peer leaders to learn from and support one another as they work to accelerate change in their agencies and across government. Launch year: 2012.

Thumbnail for Center for Presidential Transition Advisory Board

A bipartisan group of transition experts and stakeholders who work with us to support early and effective transition planning for second-term and new administrations. Launch year: 2016.

Thumbnail for Chief Diversity Officers Council

A group of chief diversity officers who learn from and support one another to identify talent practices, develop strategic approaches, and promote a vision for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Launch year: 2021.

Thumbnail for Customer Experience Roundtable

A group of leaders from agencies that engage frequently with the public working to improve customer interactions, share benchmark data and discuss best practices. Launch year: 2015.

Thumbnail for Federal Human Capital Collaborative

A problem-solving community of agency HR leaders that strives to transform the way government works by strengthening the federal workforce. Launch year: 2009.

Thumbnail for Federal Innovation Council

An advisory organization of federal innovation experts that helps to identify ways to overcome barriers to—and highlight positive examples of—innovation in government. Launch year: 2018.

Thumbnail for General Counsel Exchange

A network of agency general counsels, chief counsels and their peers who share, learn from and support one another as they resolve critical issues affecting them, their offices and agencies. Launch year: 2018.

Thumbnail for Government Leadership Advisory Council

A group of distinguished leaders who have worked across academic, corporate, nonprofit, and civilian and military government sectors. Launch year: 2018.

Thumbnail for Innovators Roundtable

A forum for deputy secretaries and select agency heads to learn and work collectively toward driving innovation across government. Launch year: 2009.

Thumbnail for Leadership Alumni Network

An alumni community dedicated to providing our program graduates with an environment of continual growth and learning through conferences, training opportunities and receptions for alumni to connect with each other and other leaders working in the federal, private and non-profit sectors. Launch year: 2012.

Thumbnail for Modern Government Leaders

This initiative convenes senior executives and rising leaders, those who conduct transformative work, to connect with their peers and recognize their impact on our federal government. The program highlights the combination of leadership best practices and modern ways of working that empower government to deliver equitable and impactful services. Launch year: 2024.

Thumbnail for Public Affairs Officers Roundtable

An opportunity for senior federal communicators to share ideas, lessons learned and best practices to encourage storytelling across agencies, share their important work with the public, and change popular perceptions about government. Launch year: 2022.

Thumbnail for Research Advisory Council

A group of experts from the public, private and nonprofit sectors who advise on our research agenda and help us explore new questions, partnerships and opportunities around the theme of government effectiveness. Launch year: 2022.

Thumbnail for Strategic Advisors to Government Executives

A network composed of more than 120 former political and career senior executives in six communities who share their extensive experience and expertise to help federal leaders create and manage a more effective and efficient government. Launch year: 2003.