The New Leader Program represents a comprehensive six-month leadership development initiative specifically designed to prepare managers at the GS-7 through GS-11 level to transition successfully into advanced management and leadership positions. Through this carefully structured program, participants acquire the essential skills, knowledge base, and confidence needed to lead effectively. The unifying theme throughout the program is "Leading Self." The core objectives focus on building participant confidence and providing comprehensive training to support setting and achieving both personal career goals and professional performance objectives, expanding your professional network, and gaining diverse experiences that strengthen your leadership foundation.
This carefully designed program integrates three essential components: leadership assessment, hands-on experiential learning, and individualized development planning. At the outset, all participants complete the Graduate School USA's Leadership Effectiveness Inventory, an in-depth 360-degree feedback assessment that provides comprehensive multi-perspective feedback. These assessment findings become the foundation for establishing your personal development priorities and objectives. Throughout the program, participants engage with multiple assessment tools and instruments designed to help teams develop a stronger mutual understanding of personality types and how behavioral differences impact group dynamics, gain clarity on individual conflict management preferences, and identify communication style strengths and gaps.
The comprehensive curriculum is strategically aligned with the Office of Personnel Management's Executive Core Qualifications framework and addresses 22 of the 28 essential leadership competencies. The instructional delivery consists of three intensive one-week training sessions delivered by experienced educators and subject matter experts. Among the critical competencies developed during the training sessions are team development and cohesion, professional communication, conflict resolution and management, analytical decision-making, and creative problem-solving approaches.
Program Eligibility and Target Participants:
This program is ideal for you if you meet the following criteria:
- Seek to acquire tools and knowledge that strengthen your existing leadership capabilities
- Want to increase your visibility and standing within your organization's leadership structure
- Would benefit from developing and strengthening professional relationships and your personal network
- Desire the opportunity to interact with leaders from throughout government agencies to exchange ideas and learn from their experiences on strengthening leadership competencies
- Want to deepen your knowledge and skills in creating high-performing teams
Program Prerequisites and Requirements
- This program is specifically designed for federal employees at the GS-7 through GS-11 pay grade levels.
What's Included in Your Program Participation:
- 15 total days of instructor-led, project-based training from recognized industry experts
- Completion certificate verified by an accredited training institution
- Learning delivered through partnerships with regionally accredited colleges and universities
- Program credit: 9.6 Continuing Education Units
Key Outcomes and Skills You'll Develop
- Create and refine your own comprehensive Personal Development Action Plan for ongoing growth
- Gain practical tools and knowledge to enhance your current leadership competencies
- Increase your professional visibility and standing within your organization's leadership
- Develop and strengthen meaningful professional relationships and expand your professional network
- Participate in learning communities with leaders from across the federal government who share perspectives and experiences on leadership competency development
- Master the fundamentals of building and leading high-performing teams
Comprehensive Program Curriculum:
First Session: Core Skill Development and Foundations
- Program Overview and Participant Requirements
- Leadership Effectiveness Inventory Assessment and Debrief
- Developing Your Personal Development Action Plan
- Team Building Fundamentals, Part One
- Leadership Principles and Philosophy
- Professional Communication Skills and Techniques
Second Session: Team Dynamics and Organizational Leadership
- Advanced Team Building and Team Development, Part Two
- Conflict Management Strategies and Resolution Techniques
- Analytical Decision-Making and Systematic Problem Solving
- Building Coalitions and Gaining Stakeholder Support at Work
- Advanced Presentation Skills and Techniques
Third Session: Integration, Application, and Celebration
- Professional Interviewing and Communication Techniques
- Advanced Presentation Skills and Leadership Application
- Team Project Development and Practice Presentations
- Final Team Project Presentations and Assessment
- Managing Organizational Transitions and Change
- Program Celebration and Recognition
This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.
Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.
