Leadership for the Government Executive
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Eight full-day sessions held once a month, designed for California’s executives and senior-level managers
- Interactive, cohort-based learning that builds executive leadership capacity across state agencies
- Emphasis on enterprise-wide collaboration and communication to strengthen governance and team dynamics
- Focus on measurable outcomes – participants learn to evaluate performance, implement best practices, and drive innovation
Overview
Successful government leaders will be those who know how to embrace and implement positive government transformation and build cross-functional, inter-jurisdictional relationships. These relationships will be key building blocks for our future leaders. Leadership for the Government Executive expands the practical application of the skills required to achieve success in today’s changing business climate. Government leaders will be challenged to develop and adopt best practices, create nontraditional solutions, and develop relationships to implement and sustain government transformation efforts.
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.
Audience
Leadership for the Government Executive is a certificate program for individuals who set the vision and direction of an organization’s enterprise-wide priorities. Participants are considered senior leaders including executives and upper-level managers from the business, program and information technology programs or branches of an agency or department. Individuals responsible for strategic planning and policy setting across agency and departmental lines are ideal candidates. Enrollment is limited to participants from city, county, state and federal government with specific responsibilities rather than specific titles.
Format
Leadership for the Government Executive is a forward-thinking departure from traditional “day in a desk” training. Using individual development plans, group discussions, distinguished speakers from the public and private sectors, case studies, and participant-submitted project proposals, the classroom becomes an experiential laboratory in which leaders address real-world problems with realistic solutions. Leadership for the Government Executive consists of seven required courses for a total of 4.9 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Course Offerings
(4.90 CEUs required)
7 Core Courses and Graduation
Executive Leadership (LGE 601)
0.7 CEUs
This course will begin with a discussion of the Portfolio’s goals and how State of California executives and senior-level managers can contribute toward achieving these ends. Participants will discuss leadership theory and application, building a vision and mission statement, and setting values and goals for their agency or department in the context of larger statewide initiatives.
Building a Service Culture (LGE 602)
0.7 CEUs
This course will examine the characteristics of an organizational culture and explore how different leadership approaches impact organizational culture. Participants will be challenged to examine their individual leadership styles and apply strategic planning techniques to create a sustainable service-based culture.
Leading Organizational Change (LGE 603)
0.7 CEUs
This course will focus on the essential models for organizational change, planning tools for implementing change and methods for identifying and resolving resistance to change. Participants will critically evaluate the role of a leader as a change agent within an organization and discuss effective methods to incorporate change initiatives in strategies for the enterprise-level.
Creating a Coaching Culture (LGE 604)
0.7 CEUs
In this course, participants will discuss establishing effective coaching and mentoring frameworks that foster personal and professional development of employees within state agencies and departments. Application of these frameworks will be viewed in the context of succession planning initiatives and workforce challenges facing the State of California.
Effective Governance and Team Dynamics (LGE 605)
0.7 CEUs
In this course, participants will discuss the dynamics of establishing a team-oriented environment that empowers employees; holds them accountable; supports risk-taking; and acknowledges achievements. Topics will include: team building in a diverse workplace and the benefits of team dynamics in addressing statewide initiatives.
Enterprise Communication (LGE 606)
0.7 CEUs
In this course, participants will discuss building organization-wide influence through effective communication strategies. Through a variety of application exercises, participants will be challenged to implement engaging communication strategies for communicating the agency or department’s vision and initiatives internally. Topics will include: the keys to effective interpersonal communication as a leader and effective external communication to various public venues — including the media, state legislature and other key stakeholders.
Measuring Success (LGE 607)
0.7 CEUs
This course will provide a comprehensive method for quantifying leadership efforts at the micro and macro levels. Participants will examine the balanced scorecard and approaches leaders can use to measure the success of their strategic plans. Using case studies and examples of public sector organizations, participants will learn ways in which change initiatives and activities can be effectively measured.
LGE Graduation (LGE 608)
Non-Credit
Graduation Celebration for the Leadership for the Government Executive (or LGE) program participants.
Employment Outlook
Graduates of LGE emerge as strong candidates for senior leadership roles across state and local government. Many alumni advance into division heads, deputy director, or executive-level positions, leveraging their enhanced capacity to lead change, foster cross-functional collaboration, and deliver measurable impact for California’s communities.
Costs
The $4,929 program fee includes:
- 4.9 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!
Fall 26 – Cohort 45: In Progress
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Day 1: Executive Leadership | Sept. 17, 2026 |
| Day 2: Creating a Coaching Culture | Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Day 3: Building a Service Culture | Nov. 12, 2026 |
| Day 4: Leading Organizational Change | Dec. 10, 2026 |
| Day 5: Strategic Planning + Measuring Success | Jan. 14, 2027 |
| Day 6: Effective Governance/Team Dynamics/ Succession | Feb. 25, 2027 |
| Day 7: Enterprise Communication | March 25, 2027 |
| Day 8: Presentations & Graduation | Apr. 22, 2027 |
Basic Requirements
Upon acceptance to Leadership for the Government Executive, 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
- J. Clark Kelso
Federal Receiver, California Prison Healthcare Receivership - William C. Bush
Director, California Department of General Services (Retired October 2009) - David A. Gilb
Director, Department of Personnel Administration (Retired September 2009)