Leadership for the Government Supervisor
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Eight full-day sessions are held twice a month over four months.
- Interactive, cohort-based learning that builds practical supervisory and excellent communication skills.
- Focus on employee engagement and organizational change. Participants learn to motivate teams, manage performance, and guide transitions successfully.
Overview
Successful government supervisors will be individuals who can embrace and implement transformation and build cross-functional interagency relationships. Leadership for the Government Supervisor challenges participants to supervise across generations, collaboratively solve problems, resolve conflict, foster a service culture mindset, and motivate individuals to engage in organizational change efforts. The program also addresses their role in key challenges such as workforce development and succession planning.
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 Supervisor is a certificate program for supervisors in city, county, state and federal government with responsibility for staff, programs, and projects. Participants represent the business and program branches of agencies or departments as well as the information technology programs.
Format
Leadership for the Government Supervisor is a forward-thinking departure from traditional “day in a desk” training. Using individual development plans, group discussions, expert speakers, and case studies, the classroom becomes an experiential laboratory in which participants address real-world problems with realistic solutions. Leadership for the Government Supervisor consists of eight required courses for a total of 5.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Guest Speakers
Distinguished public and private sector managers and supervisors make a significant contribution to the program by discussing their challenges and best practices.
Course Offerings
(8 courses, 5.60 CEUs required)
Supervisor as Leader
0.7 CEUs
Participants will be introduced to the expectations of today’s supervisor as it relates to the success of California and the individual missions of each department and agency. Additionally, classroom activities will include exercises meant to challenge and/or confirm participant views of supervision and their influence. Participants will also engage in accelerated teambuilding activities, designed to quickly build strong relationships and provide a solid foundation for the entire coursework of the Leadership for the Government Supervisor certificate program.
Essentials of Talent Management
0.7 CEUs
Participants will look at the relationships between supervisors and supervisees, and the relationships between generations, organizations, initiatives, and the success or failure of projects. Individually, and in groups, the following topics will be investigated from the perspective of human relationships within the workplace: competencies; workforce planning; communication; leadership; teamwork; and performance.
Talent Development Strategies
0.7 CEUs
Participants will apply their newly acquired ideas and techniques in a learning lab environment. Instructors, guests and participants will work together to practice and experiment with techniques for leveraging the knowledge and skills of a multigenerational workforce, including utilizing tools and systems for improving individual and organizational performance through motivational techniques while managing expectations. The learning lab will enable participants to reinforce skills for seeking and sharing best practices across departments, agencies and varying levels of government.
Introduction to Organizational Change
0.7 CEUs
Participants will discover how to: understand change, implement change, and recommend and design change. Participants will be exposed to the connections in both intentional and imposed “change” between organizations, people, and processes by learning tools for successfully managing change.
Organizational Change Applications
0.7 CEUs
Participants will be provided the opportunity to apply their newly acquired ideas and techniques in hands-on applications. Participants will work together to practice and experiment with techniques for managing change by utilizing new and previous coursework ideas and tools.
Decision Making for Supervisors
0.7 CEUs
In this course, supervisors in State service will learn concepts, tools and standards to help them make decisions that are ethical and reflect their organizational mission, vision, goals, and values. Participants will understand and eliminate challenges to individual and group decision making barriers, and explore techniques for communicating decisions to varying levels of staff and stakeholders.
Effective Interpersonal Communication
0.7 CEUs
Participants will identify ways to develop a professional, influential relationship with upper management, peers and staff to create a productive and enjoyable work environment. Participants will learn techniques and improve their ability to influence others in variety of situations. Through individual and group exercises, participants will also build skills in conflict resolution.
Advanced Supervisory Development
0.7 CEUs
Participants will deliver individual presentations on course-related professional development and strategies for fostering long-term development. Presentation concepts will show that they are designed to link development opportunities to real scenarios within California state government and ensure each participant demonstrates their comprehension of the program and commitment to the “next steps” in their role as a supervisor and a civil servant.
Employment Outlook
Graduates of the Leadership for the Government Supervisor Program are well-positioned to advance in their careers and take on greater responsibility within California state government. They gain the skills to lead engaged teams, manage performance, and support organizational change, often serving as strong candidates for management-level roles or expanded supervisory assignments.
Costs
The $3,329 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
- Parking for each day of the program
- Graduation celebration with sponsors
- Certificate of Participation
There are no provisions for auditing this program at this time.
How to Apply
Upcoming Dates
Fall 26 – Cohort 29: In Progress
| Course Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Day 1: Supervisor as a Leader | Aug. 26, 2026 |
| Day 2: Effective Interpersonal Communication | Aug. 27, 2026 |
| Day 3: Strategic Thinking Operational Planning | Sept. 23, 2026 |
| Day 4: Organizational Change Applications | Sept. 24, 2026 |
| Day 5: Developing High-Performing Team | Oct. 21, 2026 |
| Day 6: Talent Development Strategies | Oct. 22, 2026 |
| Day 7: Decision Making for Supervisors | Dec. 2, 2026 |
| Day 8: Advanced Supervisory and Development & Graduation | Dec. 3, 2026 |
Spring 2027 – Cohort 30
Applications are now open until Friday, Nov. 6.
| Course Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Day 1: Supervisor as a Leader | Feb. 3, 2027 |
| Day 2: Effective Interpersonal Communication | Feb. 4, 2027 |
| Day 3: Strategic Thinking Operational Planning | March 3, 2027 |
| Day 4: Talent Development Strategies + Front Line Succession Planning | March 4, 2027 |
| Day 5: Developing Your Team | April 7, 2027 |
| Day 6: Organizational Change Applications | April 8, 2027 |
| Day 7: Decision Making for Supervisors | May 12, 2027 |
| Day 8: Advanced Supervisory Development and Graduation | May 13, 2027 |
Basic Requirements
Upon acceptance to Leadership for the Government Supervisor, 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 overall participation. Participants are expected to complete an action item worksheet and reflect on the LGS experience 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 Organization 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.)
Advisory Partners
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 LGS program is a fantastic learning and growth opportunity for any supervisor. The curriculum provides students with a leadership ‘methodology toolbox’ to achieve more effective change management, workforce retention, and decision making, just to name a few. Most importantly, I learned about emotional intelligence, both mine and others’, and why that is important for effective leadership. This program gave me the tools I needed to be a more effective leader and helped me avoid common pitfalls as a new supervisor. — Dave Luiz, Department of Water Resources
I have taken various leadership classes throughout my working career in the military, Federal Civil Service, and I can testify that this LGS class is one of the top 3 classes involving leadership that I have taken. I would suggest that this LGS class be made mandatory for all supervisors in state service. This class would improve the performance of all supervisors and benefit every State agency. — Morris Taylor, Department of General Services
I truly enjoyed the course materials and the class dynamic. The concepts taught would be highly beneficial to any first-time supervisor or upper-level manager. I look forward to utilizing the skills I’ve learned in this course throughout my supervisory career. — Phoenix Vigil, Office of Administrative Hearings
The LGS program is an excellent program, the instructors are well prepared, materials were appropriate, and the pace was good. I strongly recommend that all supervisors and managers take this program to learn the tools needed to become better leaders in the workplace. — Griselda Ballesteros, Department of Fair Housing and Employment
This class has been thought-provoking and has challenged my professional motivation. It’s given me many tools that I can use and want to share with my employees. — Kellie Gillman, Department of Developmental Services