Newsworthy (Spring 2010) - Executive Development Paves the Way to Leadership
The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is currently helping more than 20 top state agency officials enhance their abilities to solve tough challenges. The participants represent a wide range of government agencies, boards, authorities, and commissions.
ELDP was created in 2006 as part of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s commitment to make Georgia the best-managed state in the country. More than 50 officials have participated in the one-of-a-kind program, which is carried out by the Vinson Institute in collaboration with the State Personnel Administration.
“Participants in the intensive training experience are nominated by their agencies and then approved by the Governor’s Office and the State Personnel Administration. They already have leadership experience and expertise. ELDP helps them fine-tune that experience so they can be be the best they can at leading an organization specifically and contributing to the entire state’s governance generally,” explained Mike Hourihan, interim manager of the Vinson Institute’s state training and development services.
While traditional leadership programs provide participants with a range of material on the subject, ELDP takes a different approach. Leadership learning takes place in the context of an agency challenge that the participant must address and that leads to an outcome with major impact. Over the course of several months, participants complete assessments that provide insights into their leadership styles and potential, receive individual coaching and guidance in creating a personal development plan, and gather with their classmates for learning sessions and networking—while they are also working on their challenge.
“Today’s state agency leaders face an increasingly complex public environment. Our goal is to make certain these officials have the knowledge and skills needed to lead with vision,” said Hourihan.
Executive Leadership Development Program >>
