Why Are You Waiting? 5 Steps to Start Leadership Development Today

The majority of the leadership development opportunities available today focus on senior level career (GS14, 15 and Senior Executive Service) employees. Limited opportunities are available for new supervisors or mid-level employees. However, doesn’t it seem like a bit of an oxymoron to wait until you’re in a leadership role to start developing your leadership abilities?

Recognizing the need for a true investment in the leaders of tomorrow Brookings Executive Education (BEE) recently introduced the BEE Leadership Fellows program. The two-year program is designed for employees at the GS12-13 levels. Modeled after its Executive Fellows program for GS14 and above, the Leadership program is conducted over two years. The program begins with a 360° leadership assessment and feedback session. This serves as the baseline for the rest of your time in the program. Instead of offering a one size fits all training, the program is truly tailored to meet individual strengths and opportunities. Participants will take courses with their assigned cohorts, and will also take open enrollment courses to meet the areas of opportunity identified in the 360° assessment.

“Leadership fellows provides participants with a simple five step process to not just take charge of their leadership development, but their careers as they use the fellows experience as a foundation to position themselves for promotion and eventually apply to the Senior Executive Service,” stated Mary Ellen Joyce, PhD, BEE Executive Director.

5 Steps to Start Leadership Development Today

Step 1: Self-Assessment – The 360° assessment is essential to starting the leadership development process. You cannot figure out where you need to go until you know where you are.

Step 2: Individual Development Plan (IDP) – Once you have established where you are and where you need to be, you can develop your personal plan to get you there. What areas do you need to focus on? Conflict resolution? Financial management?

Step 3: Select Courses – After completing your IDP you can now browse the catalog and figure out what courses meet your goals. Perhaps your first open enrollment course will be Strategies for Conflict Resolution or Finance for Nonfinancial Managers?

Step 4: Seek Out Opportunity – In the midst of your training never lose sight of your goal. Aggressively seek out opportunities to apply what you’re learning and document it in course papers.

Step 5: 180° Assessment – The final assessment is used to gage your overall improvement as well as identify continued opportunities for development. The report data serves as guide for you and your supervisor to establish a pathway toward career advancement.

Kimberly Hall is part of the GovLoop Featured Blogger program, where we feature blog posts by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Blogger posts, click here.