Leadership for the Government Manager
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Nine full-day sessions are held twice a month for 5 months.
- Interactive, cohort-based learning that builds management and collaboration skills across state agencies.
- Focus on performance and results. Participants learn to streamline processes, manage conflict, and build high-performing teams.
Overview
The next generation of successful government leaders will be individuals who can embrace and implement transformation and build cross-functional interagency relationships. Leadership for the Government Manager brings to life important senior-level managerial concepts such as delivering results and understanding the budget and legislative processes, as well as collaborating across agency and department lines.
Participants in Leadership for the Government Manager examine strategies for making the mission and vision real for their agency or department. Participants in Leadership for the Government Manager are designated managers from the business and program branches of agencies or departments as well as designated managers from the information technology programs. Individuals with a vision for enterprise-wide thinking, strong potential for upward mobility, and experience carrying out their organization’s mission and vision are ideal candidates for acceptance into this program.
Cohort classes of no more than 25 participants create an opportunity to develop relationships, building networks that pave the way for collaboration beyond the scope of this experience. Enrollment is limited to candidates from city, county, state and federal government with specific responsibilities rather than specific titles.
Audience
Leadership for the Government Manager is a certificate program for managers in city, county, state and federal government who must know how to embrace and implement positive government transformation. Participants are often middle to senior-level managers from business, program and information technology divisions who are responsible for building cross-functional relationships, implementing policies and initiatives, managing change and leading high-performing teams.
Format
Leadership for the Government Manager is a forward-thinking departure from traditional “day in a desk” training. Using individual development plans, group discussions, expert speakers, case studies, and participant-submitted projects, the classroom becomes an experiential laboratory in which managers address real-world problems with realistic solutions. Leadership for the Government Manager consists of eight required courses for a total of 5.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Guest Speakers
Distinguished public and private sector managers make a major contribution to the program by discussing their management challenges and best practices.
Course Offerings
(5.60 CEUs required)
8 Courses & Graduation
Strategic Management (LGM 501)
0.7 CEUs
Participants will discuss the goals and learning objectives of The Portfolio and the Leadership for the Government Manager program in the context of larger statewide initiatives. The importance of workforce development, succession planning, strategic thinking, and the manager’s evolving role will be explored.
Communicating and Coaching (LGM 502)
0.7 CEUs
Designed to improve communication at the individual and team level, this course will teach participants to engage and enable a successful workforce. Topics will include techniques to: communicate effectively with diverse individuals; coach staff for accountability; apply methods for provoking productive conflict among staff; and conduct valuable meetings.
Strategic Planning (LGM 503)
0.7 CEUs
This course will provide knowledge and tools for understanding the impact and appropriate use of strategic planning at every level of the organization. Strategic maps will be explored. Participants will practice elements of effective strategic planning and implementation to sponsor a department’s effectiveness.
Managing Operations (LGM 504)
0.7 CEUs
This course will teach participants the operational skills needed to translate strategic plans into sustainable results at the section and branch level. Practical implementation tools and techniques will be introduced for setting clear performance goals; prioritizing work; allocating resources; and measuring progress. Emphasis will be placed on the manager’s role as a steward of limited public sector resources to sustainably implement programs in the face of dynamic workload demands and changeable funding levels.
Managing Organizational Change (LGM 505)
0.7 CEUs
This course will prepare senior managers to accelerate the adoption of changes within their units and across organizational jurisdictions. Participants will learn methods for strategically transforming resistance into engagement across diverse stakeholders.
Improving Business Processes (LGM 506)
0.7 CEUs
This course will provide a practical methodology for systematically improving business processes at all levels of an organization. Focus will be on manager roles for selecting which business processes to improve and leading teams to deliver targeted, incremental, business process innovations. Emphasis will be placed on how to address the reality of resource constraints and complex regulations that often hamper innovation efforts in the public sector.
Building High Performing Teams (LGM 507)
0.7 CEUs
Building on the foundation of strategic management, this course will examine how individual and group behaviors can lead to either mediocre or extraordinary results. Effective management strategies will be explored for developing diverse and high performing work teams.
Managing Conflict (LGM 508)
0.7 CEUs
This course will enhance senior managers’ negotiation and facilitation skills for productively navigating conflict. Participants will learn how conflict has the potential to create business value by bringing out diverse perspectives and generating unique solutions that better meet underlying interests. Topics will include: negotiating more effectively when new ideas or disagreements occur with other business partners, and techniques for developing team members’ abilities to resolve more conflicts with each other — with less frequent escalation to the manager.
LGM Graduation (LGM 509)
Non-Credit
Graduation ceremony held during the fourth month of the Leadership for the Government Manager program.
Employment Outlook
Graduates of the Leadership for the Government Manager Program are well-positioned to take on greater leadership responsibility within their departments and across state government. Many move into higher management or executive roles, leveraging their enhanced ability to lead teams, managing organizational changes, and drive measurable results.
Costs
The $4,029 program fee includes:
- 5.6 continuing education units
- Course materials
- Leadership Practices Inventory assessment
- One-on-one LPI Debrief
- Continental breakfast and full lunch for each class day
- Parking for each day of the program
- Graduation celebration with program sponsors
- Certificate of Participation
There are no provisions for auditing this program at this time.
How to Apply
Upcoming Dates
Spring 27 Cohort 46 – Coming Soon!
Cohort 45: In Progress
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Day 1: Foundations of Leadership Excellence | Aug. 12, 2026 |
| Day 2: Communication and Coaching | Aug. 13, 2026 |
| Day 3: Business Plan + Succession | Sept. 9, 2026 |
| Day 4: Business Process Improvements & Building Operations Savings | Sept. 10, 2026 |
| Day 5: Negotiating Conflict | Oct. 7, 2026 |
| Day 6: Building High-Performing Teams | Oct. 8, 2026 |
| Day 7: Managing Organizational Change | Nov. 4, 2026 |
| Day 8: Advanced Management Presentation & Graduation | Nov. 5, 2026 |
Basic Requirements
Upon acceptance to Leadership for the Government Manager, participants are required to complete the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), which is based on The Leadership Challenge, authored by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner. Throughout the program, participants are evaluated through class discussions, experiential exercises and an individual project. Participants are expected to complete a project and report the findings at the end of the program.
Submission Steps
Step 1: Receive approval from your department or agency sponsor (if applicable)
Step 2: Complete and submit the application (please note that all government agencies are required to include their Organizational Code.)
Step 3: Complete the Registration Form including the method of payment (please note that you may need your Interagency Agreement number or purchase order number.)
Supporters
The College of Continuing Education wishes to thank the dedicated public servants who invest their time and energy to ensure the professional merit and applicability of this program.
Founding Sponsors
David A. Gilb
Director, Department of Personnel Administration (Retired September 2009)
J. Clark Kelso
Federal Receiver, California Prison Healthcare Receivership
William C. Bush
Director, California Department of General Services (Retired October 2009)
Alumni Testimonials
The LGM intensive leadership course enabled me to adopt best practices, and truly sharpen my skills in a cross agency environment. The Return on Investment (ROI) session alone was an invaluable exercise in efficiency which made us all look at our departments through a fiscal lens. The instructors were the best: their unreserved candidness made for a rich learning environment. — Gilbert Smith, Board of Equalization
My recent position change is a substantial promotion for me and I believe the Leadership for the Government Manager program really helped me in the interview process. I really thought the class to be very beneficial and so well done. — Carla Simmons, California Emergency Management Agency
LGM is a great learning environment, the instructors are dynamic and energetic, and class members become a part of that. — Doug Brenning, Department of General Services
Overall this a great program for networking and learning opportunities as we share experiences and knowledge to improve. — Brian LaPask, Department of General Services
The program has reenergized me and given me many theories to test and tools to use. I will definitely reference my course material for many years to come. I also gained confidence and am certain I will be a better leader in the future. — Lara Saich, Correctional Health Care Services
LGM has had a significant impact on me as a manager in a positive way. It has given me the tools to view situations differently and how to respond not only in the workplace, but in life. — Danetta Jackson, Department of General Services
The LGM training has added so much value in my career as a government manager. I am grateful to have met a group of professionals like myself. This will allow me tools, resources to make a different, not only in my personal life but in my professional career. These tools are very valuable in making changes to our Department. — Mona Castañeda, Department of Transportation
LGM has put more tools in my tool box and provided an excellent opportunity for networking. — Susanne Buehler, Board of Equalization