The Essential Nature of the Leadership Task

1. The Essential Nature of the Leadership Task Leadership Academy Session #1—April 28, 2016 Dr. Frank Benest frank@frankbenest.com Eileen Beaudry eileenbeaudry@gmail.com

2. Listen & take a few notes Try to discern some key elements leading to successful advancement in career & fulfillment Frank's Story

3. Leadership Academy Purposes: To create a cost-effective talent development program To enhance the leadership skills of the participants To assist participating local governments in succession planning efforts To offer participants positive development opportunities in tough times

4. Leadership Academy Curriculum Focus: • Curriculum will focus on promoting leadership aptitudes & skills as opposed to nuts-and-bolts supervisory or management skills.

5. Creating Content • Dr. Frank Benest • Eileen Beaudry • Guest presenters • All of you

6. Exercise: “Exploring the Commons” • Rotate through several groups of 6-7 • Identify in 3 minutes what you all have in common (can’t use “live in Bay Area” or “work in local government”) • Announce commonality & form new group of 6 • Repeat process

7. Listen & take a few notes Try to discern some key elements leading to successful advancement in career & fulfillment Eileen's Story

8. Self-Introductions • Your name • Your title & organization • “One thing I want to learn”

9. Academy Requirements • Attend all sessions & full participation • Arrive at 8 am (no later than 8:15 am) for prompt start at 8:30 am • Turn off cell phones; make calls at breaks • Read all articles & be prepared to discuss • Actively serve on Team Project • Participate in 1 to 1 coaching • Reflect & apply • Have fun!

10. It’s all about YOU! Your Values Your Communication Style Preferences Your Leadership Style

11. Your Questions

12. Context of Local Government 1. What are 2-3 key aspects of the internal context of local government? (for example: heavily unionized) 2. What are 2-3 key aspects of the external context of local government? (for example: very scrutinized)

13. Key Question • In this kind of environment, what do organizational members need from their leaders?

14. The Big Challenges & Leadership Competencies 1. What are 2-3 big challengesfacing local governments in the next 5 years? 2. To effectively address these challenges, what are 2-3 indispensable competencies for leaders at all levels of the organization?

15. A Disruptive World • Local governments are overwhelmed with accelerating & discontinuous change • Problems are complex, difficult-to-solve, emotion-laden, & divisive • No one institution, including government, can solve any major problem

16. A Disruptive World (con’t) • Power is diffuse (“veto” power) • Citizens have lost confidence in all institutions, including government • To confront any major challenge, leaders must cross boundaries • Experimenting & learning are key ingredients to adapting

17. “Are we learning as fast as the world is changing?” Gary Hamel

18. “VUCA” Volatility Uncertainty Complexity Ambiguity

19. The Nature of the Challenges • Technical challenges(“tame”) Solutions are known & can be addressed through management • Adaptive challenges (“wicked”) Solutions are unknown, often involve value conflicts, & require leadership at all levels

20. The Essence of Leadership “Leaders do not force people to follow—they invite them on a journey.” Charles Lauer

21. Indispensable Competencies • Active futures orientation • Boundary-crossing & partnering skills • Learning agility • Ability to start conversations & tell stories • Ability to create meaning • Ability to develop talent • Resiliency

22. The Importance of People Skills

23. “Why would anyone want to follow me?” • Identify 2-3 reasons that people would want to follow you • Identify one trait that would cause people to be reluctant to follow you

24. Career Journey and Aspirations Kip Harkness My story What do you discern as effective strategies in developing great career?

25. San Jose Case Study Critique of case study What went well? What did not go so well? What are lessons learned for our future practice?

26. Reaction Panel • What resonated with me? • What did not resonate with me? • What do I have to add?

27. Team Projects Teams will consist of 6-7 members Teams will act as consulting group for local government agency facing real-life challenge Teams will interview subject matter experts, review key documents, come to conclusions & provide recommendations to agency leaders

28. Team Projects (con’t) Executive Sponsor for Team Project will serve as a “go-to” resource & provide guidance, information & suggestions Team will make a Dry Run presentation to Academy class & Executive Sponsor Team will make Final Presentation to CM Assoc.

29. Team Projects (con’t) Today We will present the 5 Projects Participants identify their interest areas and we will form the Project Teams Select unfamiliar topic area Teams get started Each team member picks “stretch” role in project in order to expand skill set

30. Team Projects (con’t) By Next Session Meet with your Executive Sponsor Develop outline on how you will carry out project (May 26-copies for everyone) Frank, Eileen & all will provide feedback on outline (at end of May 26 session)

31. 2016 Team Projects

32. Outline for Team Project Outline for Next Session: The Challenge WHY topic is important Key players/SME’s Key documents Methodology—how we plan to proceed Deliverable(s) How deliverable will be used by Sponsors

33. Form Teams Addressing Different Projects Identify organizations that you assume are involved Identify possible “key informants” Brainstorm some possible source documents & literature for review Arrange to meet with Executive Sponsor(s) Make assignments

34. Readings/Homework for May 26 • Readings • Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?, Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones, HBR • Crucibles of Leadership, Warren Bennis, HBR • Homework • Identify “mini-crucible” in your life • Meet with Executive Sponsor(s) • Develop as team outline for project

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