VTLEAD - Vermont Leadership Exploration and Development
The VTLEAD program has been redesigned to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of our employees’ schedules and interests. The new design allows you, the learner, to choose your pathway based on your interests and needs with no application process. Classes begin in the fall of 2022 and are now scheduled in the SOV LINC Learning Management System.
What is the VTLEAD program?
VTLEAD is a leadership development program for current and high-potential leaders, managers, supervisors, and for those aspiring to grow and develop their leadership knowledge and competencies.
The VTLEAD programmatic framework is designed to prepare interested participants to lead at all levels and provide Vermont State Government with a pipeline of leaders to meet the demographic challenges of today’s workforce -- a reduced working-age population, a low unemployment rate and nearly 25% of employees eligible for retirement in the next five years. The courses are free to State of Vermont employees and provide extensive practice and application opportunities to allow participants to build skill and proficiency for lasting success.
Of particular note, the program is aligned with the State of Vermont leadership competencies:
1. Self-Aware
2. Accountable
3. Effective Communicator
4. Teambuilder
5. Talent Manager
6. Strategic Leader
7. Promoter of Diversity
8. Problem-Solver/Decision-Maker
A series of classes designed to present theory and concepts while giving participants the opportunity to apply such utilizing practical tools and approaches with peers.
Pre-Requisites for Enrollment
- Courses will be made available on the SOV Learning Management System: LINC and will be open enrollment, first come-first serve.
- Interested employees may choose one class or multiple from any track, it’s your choice!
- There is no requirement to complete a certificate and no application process!
- Strongly recommended: Completion of, or currently enrolled in Supervising in State Government (SSG)
What You Can Expect During Each Class
- Content and Concepts presented on topics outline in the next section
- In-class Activities (individual and small group) to apply newly acquired knowledge and concepts
- Exploration of concepts and various viewpoints from TED talks, readings, and other sources
- Periodic guest speakers
- Discussion with peers on applications for use in state government
Enroll in a Single Class or Pursue a Certificate
Take one class or many, follow a track or create your own pathway for growth!
- Complete any four (4) classes and receive a Level 1 certificate
- Complete any eight (8) classes and receive a Level 2 certificate
- Complete any twelve (12) classes and receive a Level 3 certificate
Program Location
Classes will be held primarily at the Center for Achievement in Public Service (CAPS), 32 College Street, Montpelier, VT. Participants may anticipate some virtual delivery depending on topic or as need arises.
Course Descriptions
Classes designed to present theory, concepts, tactical and practical tools for immediate application and use in the workplace.
Leadership Foundations Track Courses
Ethical Behavior - this class will challenge participants to explore fundamental questions about ethics and their role as leaders to guide individuals and teams to fulfill the mission of the organization. Topics include: ethics, morals, policies, ethical grey areas in state government, values. Class includes in-class mock-case study exercises.
Leveraging Diversity - this class combines what we know about emotional intelligence, conflict management, and collaborative leadership to engage the unique qualities and skills each individual brings to the team. Upon completion, participants will be able to describe four to five dimensions upon which cultures may differ; describe the advantages and challenges of having a diverse workforce; and practice techniques to leverage individual differences for the benefit of the team. Topics include: diversity, cultural differences, gender and generational diversity, bias, and stereotypes.
Managing Change - participants learn about the concepts of change management and change leadership and an introduction to managing the process of change. Topics include: defining change on an individual level, change models, analyzing change initiatives.
Onboarding & Succession Planning – two of our most important responsibilities and tasks as leaders is to provide the support necessary for success in role while also ensuring the continuity of operations over time. This course is designed to provide participants with an introduction to the onboarding process and some of the foundational timeline and elements of succession planning. Topics include: orientation, strategy and planning, policies, resources for new employees and their managers, training and development of employees, tools for leaders and teams to assist with knowledge transfer and process improvement and clarity. Upon completion of this class, participants will become more knowledgeable of the tools and resources that are available to employees and leaders throughout the employee lifecycle. Participants will be able to identify common succession planning scenarios and be able to use tools that can aid in the planning and execution of transitions.
Leadership Essentials Track Courses
Conflict Management - participants will learn a variety of strategies for dealing with conflict and managing their own and other’s emotions in order to maintain relationships and a positive work environment. Upon completion, participants will be able to describe five ways to respond to conflict and identify when to use them; how to prepare and conduct a difficult conversation or discussion; and demonstrate two techniques for managing emotions during a conflict.
Creating & Guiding Successful Teams - in this class, participants learn skills to form and grow teams across distances and differences; discover ways to distribute and accomplish team goals through effective meetings and targeted feedback. Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze group dynamics and describe how to augment positive team dynamics and de-emphasize negative team dynamics; establish guidelines for delegating tasks and prioritizing projects; and identify strategies to improve meeting structure, facilitation, and outcomes.
Managing for Performance - participants are offered ideas and strategies for leaders to inspire greater workforce involvement whether individually, in teams, or organization-wide. Upon completion, participants will be able to describe ways to identify and bridge common performance gaps on a daily basis; demonstrate giving feedback about performance; and describe four types of intrinsic motivation and provide examples of how they can use them to improve performance and inspire employees. Topics include: roles and responsibilities, giving and receiving feedback, and motivation.
Mental Models for Systems Thinking – The systems we develop provide a blueprint for consistent implementation of programs and services. But, they can also constrain our thinking and channel our behaviors in unexpected and sometimes harmful ways. This workshop provides an explanation of several classic types of systems and how they affect our actions. You’ll participate in activities that demonstrate the unintended outcomes of some systems and make plans to recognize these systems in your workplace.
Planning for Leadership - a foundational course where participants discover their personal and professional strengths and learn how to use them most effectively in situations of both formal and informal leadership. Topics include: understanding personal strengths as assets, leadership and management theories and models, mental models, ladder of inference, mentoring and coaching.
Leadership Communications and Collaboration Track Courses
Collaborative Leadership - participants identify the advantages of incorporating collaboration into their leadership skill set and identify the opportunities that can lead to effective partnerships. Upon completion of this class, participants should be able to describe the characteristics of a collaborative leader, identify strategies for promoting collaboration, problem solve, and create an action plan to increase collaboration with and across teams.
Emotional Intelligence - content and concepts in this class will help leaders recognize emotional responses and use emotional intelligence to inform leadership decisions. Participants will also identify the relationship between emotional intelligence and effective leadership.
Leadership Communication - this class will enable participants to distinguish everyday language from a communication style that supports trusted and inspired leadership. It focuses on how to use communication to reinforce the connection to mission, vision, values, goals, and strategies. Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors leaders use to express confidence and inspire engagement; practice leadership communication skills that motivate, inspire trust, demonstrate respect and promote confidence; and describe how leadership communication supports organizational goals.
Power of Influence - in this class, participants will identify at least seven traits that leaders can use to promote their agenda in a way that is collaborative and productive. Additionally, they will learn strategies for extending one’s leadership up, down, and across the organization. Topics include: seven traits of influencing, credibility, safety and trust, influencing vs. Manipulation, persuasion, storytelling, influencing with data as well as storytelling with data.
For more information, contact the CAPS team at DHR.VTLEAD@vermont.gov