“The County Leadership Institute will provide a hands-on professional development experience that will help us accomplish our goals in Kings County,” said Pedersen. “This is a unique opportunity to learn from experts and work with other county leaders as we strengthen our skills to tackle some of our greatest challenges.” In today’s political environment it is crucial to have a strong set of tested skills to deliver solutions that work for our communities.
The program helps county leaders develop their approach toward solving complex challenges. It provides tools to encourage innovation and creativity; resources for invigorating organizational culture; and best practices in effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making.
Matthew Chase, NACo’s executive director, said, “County officials often address similar issues and can learn a great deal from one another. The County Leadership Institute fosters peer-to-peer learning and encourages common-sense solutions to challenges that counties and residents face every day.”
Since its inception, the Institute, known for enhancing the capacity of county officials to identify and implement innovative solutions to complex challenges, has graduated 331 leaders from over 172 counties across 45 states. This year’s program focuses on the demands of personal leadership in the modern era of government, one characterized as a “permanent crisis” by Cambridge Leadership Associates co-founder Marty Linsky.