Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program Quick Details Location Virtual Duration 36 total hours | 7 months Dates January to July 2025 Cost $4,500 Audience GS-12 to GS-13 Leaders of teams, new supervisors, and technical experts who lead projects (typically GS-12s to GS-13s, but could include other GS levels). Apply byDec. 6, at 5 p.m. EST For more information, or instructions on how to be placed on our wait list, please contact: Diana Starkes DStarkes@ourpublicservice.org (202) 292–1014 Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program Mid-career professionals are key to ensuring their teams can achieve their missions. Strengthening your leadership foundation will allow you to assume greater responsibility for leading others, manage complex projects and work across teams. The Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program will enable you to develop the skills to effectively influence others, lead teams and drive change within your agency. In this course, you will learn how to: Enhance your own leadership style. Improve your communication skills. Understand how to successfully lead others to achieve outcomes and goals. By the end of the program, you will be able to adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of your projects and have a positive impact on the way your team, agency and customers serve the public. Apply by Dec. 6, 2024 Program details PDF Sign up for email updates to learn more about our Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program Program Structure The program includes nine half-day virtual sessions conducted via Zoom for Government over the course of seven months. Each session is four hours long from 1–5 p.m. EST. The program also includes a one-hour virtual orientation and kickoff session on Jan. 28, 2025 from 1–2 p.m. EST. During virtual classroom sessions, experienced instructors facilitate engaging conversations, share best practices on key course concepts and form peer groups to encourage accountability. Guest speakers with extensive federal government and private sector expertise provide real-world perspectives on overcoming public sector leadership challenges. Our classroom lessons are reinforced through multiple activities, including: Executive coaching: You will be paired with an executive coach for two one-hour sessions. This is an opportunity to discuss your individual development based on results from your personal 360 leadership assessment and address your current workplace challenges. Accountability groups: You will workshop ideas and share best practices during in class group break-out discussions and in between sessions. Session pre-work: Prior to each session, you will be required to read articles and watch videos related to the upcoming session. The classroom sessions, combined with pre-work between sessions and one-on-one coaching, total 36 hours of coursework. You are expected to prepare for and attend every session. Prior to applying to the program, please review the program schedule and confirm your availability for the one-hour orientation and kickoff session and nine half-day sessions. Topic 1: Becoming Self-Aware Session 1: Feb. 4, 2025 Understanding Yourself Lead others with a greater knowledge of self Define your core principles as a leader Recommit to leading in the public sector Session 2: Feb. 25, 2025 Recognizing Your Impact Identify how your decisions, emotions and communications impact your team Change behaviors that negatively impact your teams Topic 2: Engaging Others Session 3: March 18, 2025 Engaging Employees Build trust with your team members Recognize accomplishments to improve morale Support the growth and development of employees Session 4: April 8, 2025 Cultivating Your Team Culture Resolve interpersonal conflicts that arise within your team Create an inclusive environment where all your team members are respected and supported Topic 3: Leading Change Session 5: April 29, 2025 Responding to Change Align your programs and projects to help achieve your agency’s shifting priorities Respond proactively to change that impacts your team Adapt your approach to better influence others Session 6: May 20, 2025 Creating the Change Foster an innovative culture for your team Embrace thoughtful risk-taking to pursue meaningful change Topic 4: Achieving Results Session 7: June 3, 2025 navigating the system Secure buy-in from stakeholders Address challenges that impact your team’s success Understand and respond to your customers’ needs Session 8: July 1, 2025 making decisions Hold yourself and your team accountable for achieving outcomes and expectations Use data to inform your team’s direction Support your employees’ use of technology to accomplish team goals Synthesis and Reflection Session 9: July 22, 2025 Synthesis and Reflection Develop strategies for applying lessons learned Reemphasize your commitment to public service and stewardship of public trust Testimonials “This has been the best training I’ve ever participated in over the course of my career. It has changed my approach to leadership, and it’s changed my perception on matching my individual values to the work that I do. The course was insightful, the delivery of tools and practices were masterful, and it was truly a real learning experience.” Asia E.U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services “The program gave me a chance to reflect on my core values, learn additional tools to help build relationships with colleagues, and gain a newfound appreciation for my organization’s leadership. The relationships I built with participants from other federal agencies were invaluable and will continue to support collaborative efforts.” Kim L.Department of Health and Human Services “I truly enjoyed and still value the time I spent with the Foundations in Public Service Leadership program. Besides my incredible instructor, I had a great cohort from across government, and my team was really invested in getting all that they could out of the experience. My personal favorite aspect were the one-on-one coaching sessions. It completely changed my perspective on my work, my place in government, and how I can create impact.” John B.General Services Administration How to Apply Completed applications must include your personal information, professional experience and objectives, an up-to-date resume and your supervisor’s endorsement. Carefully consider your short-answer responses to ensure your government career objectives align with our high expectations of participants. You do not need to complete the application in one session. You may save your application and return to it later. Please note, many agencies have specific application guidelines for their employees. Before submitting your application, please make sure that you are following your agency’s internal guidelines and that you have permission from your agency’s leadership to participate in this program. Facilitators Our facilitators bring a wealth of knowledge and best practices as leadership development experts and as former supervisors and project managers. They understand the challenges of leaders at this level and use course concepts to help participants develop new habits. Staff Members from the Partnership staff will work with you throughout the program to ensure that your experience goes smoothly. Thumbnail for Deyonna Jacobs Deyonna Jacobs Associate Manager Thumbnail for Evy Vannoy Evy Vannoy Associate Manager Thumbnail for Diana Starkes Diana Starkes Manager Back to course catalog
