Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program

Quick Details

Location

Virtual

Duration

36 total hours | 7 months

Dates

June–December 2024

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 by
May 3, at 5 p.m. EDT

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 May 3, at 5 p.m. EDT Program details PDF

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. EDT.

The program also includes a one-hour virtual orientation and kickoff session on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from 1–2 p.m. EDT.

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: June 11, 2024

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: July 2, 2024

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: July 23, 2024

Engaging Employees

Build trust with your team members
Recognize accomplishments to improve morale
Support the growth and development of employees

Session 4: Aug. 13, 2024

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: Sep. 3, 2024

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: Sep. 24, 2024

Creating the Change

Foster an innovative culture for your team
Embrace thoughtful risk-taking to pursue meaningful change

Topic 4: Achieving Results

Session 7: Oct. 15, 2024

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: Nov. 12, 2024

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: Dec. 3, 2024

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.