Nonprofit launches leadership institute for federal managers

At a reception at Georgetown University, the Partnership for Public Service launched the Annenberg Leadership Institute -- a training laboratory designed to boost the skills of mid-level managers in government and the effectiveness of their agencies. "Inadequate leadership and weak management skills are two of the greatest impediments to effective government," said Max Stier, president of the Partnership. "The goal of the Annenberg Leadership Institute is to build the management skills of federal managers, and improve federal agencies' performance -- so ultimately they can better serve the American people." The institute will enlist management training experts and corporate leaders, including Accenture, Aon Consulting, IDEO and Lockheed Martin Corp. to serve as faculty for the seven-month program. The Defense Logistics Agency and Georgetown University also will assist with the training. The institute's inaugural class includes 32 fellows from the Food and Drug Administration, the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Veterans Health Administration, the Energy Department, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Small Business Administration. "My agency really emphasizes supervision but not leadership," said one Annenberg fellow who requested anonymity. "Many managers do not have the leadership skills necessary to do their jobs effectively." Partnership research has shown that federal employees are twice as likely as those in the private sector to report that their supervisors do not have the leadership and management skills necessary to perform their jobs. Tom Fox, director of the institute, said on Tuesday that the eventual goal was to expand the institute to more mid-level managers and those in the Senior Executive Service. "With training budgets being constrained, SESers don't have the opportunity for ongoing professional development," he said. Fox said that unlike much of the training already provided by the federal government, the Annenberg Leadership Institute provides unique training on best practices in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, he said, Annenberg fellows will be required to apply their training to address issues of national importance within their agencies. The institute was created under a from the Annenberg Foundation, a private group that seeks to improve public well-being through better communication, specifically through the use of technology and education.