As part of my time serving as a Presidential Management Training with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), I am required to complete 80 hours of training each year. Last year, DOE provided me the opportunity to complete a Key Executive Leadership Certificate program through American University.
American University Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program
Based on the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) developed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Key Executive Leadership Certificate is designed to provide a unique experience for seasoned managers with an interest in strengthening management skills, heightening leadership skills, and furthering their public service career.
Over the course of eight months, the program consisted of over 260 hours of executive coursework, two 360-degree assessments, and executive coaching aligned with OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications.
I joined a cohort with other executives from across the federal government, including the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security, National Institutes of Health, and others.
The certificate program contained eight courses connected to the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) for the Senior Executive Service (SES) as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
- Diagnosis and Development of the Leadership Self
- Transforming from Manager to Leader
- Leader as a Team Builder and Facilitator
- Leadership Skills for Program Monitoring and Evaluation
- Leading through Strategic Communication
- Leading Organizational Change to Achieve Results
- Leading in the Context of Constitutional Government
- Leading Effective Public Policy Implementation
In June 2017, I had the privilege of being one of the student speakers at our cohort’s graduation. I spoke about how growing up, I never expected to have the opportunities that I have today. I highlighted the leadership and mentorship that inspired me to go into public service and how the training from the Key Executive Leadership program can enhance your abilities as leaders in the federal government.
American University Key Executive Leadership Program: Federal Executives Abroad
Living in a globalized world, today’s leaders are expected to take a broader and more nuanced view of their work while also putting their work into a wider context. This has implications for how we develop as leaders to ensure our growth enhances the ability of people at all levels of our organizations to contribute to their fullest potential.
In June 2018, I will be participating in the American University’s Federal Executives Abroad program for an in-residence opportunity in Brussels, Belgium. I will spend 6 days with federal executives from other agencies to examine and compare the processes, external forces, and internal mechanisms challenging leaders in the federal government.
Our cohort will be participating in meetings with senior officials at NATO and the US Embassy to understand the leadership challenges faced on an international stage. We will also get one-on-one time with senior leaders of the European Union Parliament, Commission and Council to explore and contrast institutional, economic, and political forces driving policy implementation from the federal level.
Federal leaders are challenged with decisions having a global impact. I look forward to gaining a better understanding of the processes, influences, and impact guiding those decisions both home and abroad. Follow along on Twitter (@jordanahibbs) on June 16-24 as I share highlights from the Federal Executives Abroad program from Brussels!
