For more information, contact: Jennifer Benbow at jbenbow@ourpublicservice.org or (202) 495-3339
Our government’s ability to serve the public depends on the strength, expertise, and leadership of mission-support functions. While this work is usually done behind the scenes, it is imperative to build the leadership attributes of mission-support professionals because of their wide-ranging impact, the interconnectedness of their work, and their ability to positively shape strategic decisions.
The Advanced Human Resources Leaders Program prepares mid-career government employees in human resources to become better leaders by focusing on the four core tenets of the Partnership’s Public Service Leadership Model: self-awareness, engaging others, leading change, and achieving results. By the end of the course, participants will be able to make values-based decisions, use their roles to build strong partnerships, identify how to drive positive impact within their organizations, and demonstrate enhanced leadership attributes.
To effectively lead, HR professionals must continuously grow professionally while simultaneously focusing on the development of their organizations. To address these responsibilities, the program is intentionally structured so that sessions are divided equally between individual improvement sessions that support their personal leadership development and organizational improvement sessions that foster agency growth. This balanced format ensures participants gain skills to enhance their personal effectiveness as leaders and apply them to drive organizational success.
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Program Structure
The program includes five three-day virtual sessions over the course of five months. Each session is 6.5 hours long, running from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. The program also includes a 1.5-hour virtual orientation session. All sessions will take place via Zoom for Government.
Participants will be placed in cohorts, each led by an executive coach, and the program includes plenary-style sessions where all cohorts join together to participate in cross-functional activities. Experienced instructors will introduce proven leadership techniques, facilitate engaging conversations, and guide activities and workshops on course concepts.
360 Leadership Assessment
Participants complete a self-assessment based on the Partnership’s Public Service Leadership Model competencies and receive feedback from peers, supervisor(s), and direct reports on their demonstration of these competencies.
Executive Coaching
Using results from their personal 360 leadership assessment, participants are paired with an executive coach for a one-hour, one-on-one coaching session to discuss their individual development and to address their current workplace challenges.
Peer Workshops
Within their cohorts, participants brainstorm ideas and share best practices through in-class group coaching scenarios and breakout group discussions.
Session Pre-Work
Prior to each session, participants read articles and watch videos that provide context for course topics.
Guest Speakers
Participants will hear from guest speakers with extensive federal and private sector expertise. These speakers will provide real-world perspectives on identifying and solving public sector challenges.
Session Details
MODULE 1
DRIVING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
AUGUST 11
Session 1: Defining Your Leadership Style
- Identify your core values that allow you to lead public sector HR effectively
- Use your emotional intelligence to achieve better outcomes for your organization and its workforce
AUGUST 25
Session 2: Building Workforce Resilience
- Instill greater resilience across your organization to meet the needs of the public
- Create a learning culture that drives continuous improvement across the organization
MODULE 2
DEVELOPING HIGH PERFORMING TEAMS
SEPTEMBER 8
Session 3: Leading Your HR Team
- Manage and improve performance of your HR team through effective feedback and recognition
- Use practical techniques to support productive teamwork across your HR organization
SEPTEMBER 22
Session 4: Leading Organizational Engagement and Performance
- Use employee feedback data to drive employee engagement and operational outcomes
- Apply tools to improve internal communications between HR and the workforce
MODULE 3
CHAMPIONING A CULTURE OF CHANGE
OCTOBER 6
Session 5: Responding to Change
- Navigate organizational change proactively
- Acquire techniques to establish credibility and effectively persuade others
OCTOBER 20
Session 6: Leading Change
- Develop an innovative mindset across your organization
- Ensure your HR team is effectively driving organizational change
MODULE 4
DRIVING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE
NOVEMBER 3
Session 7: Navigating Your Network
- Identify and respond to your internal customer’s needs
- Navigate workplace systems to achieve your organizational priorities
NOVEMBER 17
Session 8: Elevating Organizational Potential
- Implement ethical AI practices to improve organizational outputs
- Set performance standards for achieving results for the American public
MODULE 5
BUILDING A STRATEGIC MINDSET
DECEMBER 1
Session 9: Strategic Thinking
- Create a strategic vision for leading your team
- Make data-driven decisions to advance HR goals
DECEMBER 15
Session 10: Strategic Planning for HR
- Develop and achieve HR outcomes that align to organizational priorities
- Identify your HR team’s role in improving organizational performance