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Leadership Development Paths

Executive Training and Coaching for City and County Managers – 2023

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As a City Manager or County Administrator, it’s essential to constantly develop your leadership skills to effectively manage your community’s resources and services. With the ever-changing landscape of local government and society, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques to lead your team and drive positive results.

To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the top executive leadership development tools for City Managers and County Administrators. Whether you’re looking for online courses, books, workshops, or coaching programs, these tools will help you take your leadership skills to the next level.

A Leadership Certificate Program for City Managers and County Administrators

The Certificate of Mastery in Leadership is FranklinCovey’s highest credential. This online program offers a comprehensive overview of leadership, including how to lead in a crisis, how to build trust with your team, and how to drive results. The course is self-paced, but they recommend the 16-week schedule outlined on the website.

An Online Resource Library for City Managers and County Administrators

Another great online option is The Optimism Library by Simon Sinek. The library has recordings of their best live online classes. There are more than 30 world-class lessons led by instructors to help leaders, teams, and individuals.

Leadership Books for City Managers and County Administrators

For those who prefer to read, here is a list of the Best Leadership Books You Should Read in 2023.  This site has compiled a list of some of the best leadership books for you to start reading. This list contains business titans, world leaders, and more. So whether you are looking to prepare for a leadership role or just want to gain some new knowledge, these books will help out.

City Manager and County Administrator Peer Group

In addition to online courses and books, executive peer groups are also a great way to develop your leadership skills. Imagine That Performance offers City Manager and County Administrator Think Tanks that provides an opportunity for real-time discussions on real-world challenges and opportunities with other local government executives. Offered as professionally facilitated sessions, these virtual think tanks allow leaders from across the country to develop one another through shared experiences in a safe environment outside the public eye.

Executive Coaching for City Managers and County Administrators

Finally, executive coaching programs can provide personalized support and guidance as you develop your leadership skills. Imagine That Performance also offers Local Government Executive Coaching that provides one-on-one coaching to help you achieve your goals. They have experienced City Managers and County Administrators available for coaching sessions and typically integrate 3rd party assessment tools to give you and the coach items to discuss and explore.

Of course, executive leadership development is an ongoing process, and these tools are just a few in what amounts to a lifelong journey towards becoming a better leader. As a City Manager or County Administrator, it’s essential to continuously seek out new ways to develop your leadership skills and drive positive results for your community. By taking advantage of these tools and resources, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more effective leader.

As a City Manager or County Administrator, developing your leadership skills is essential to effectively manage your community’s resources and services. With the ever-changing landscape of government and society, staying up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques is key to leading your team and driving positive results. The above-mentioned tools are a great starting point to take your leadership skills to the next level.  By taking advantage of these resources, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more effective and respected leader in your community. As you continue to grow and develop your leadership skills, you’ll be able to better navigate the challenges of your role and make a real impact in your city or county. Remember that leadership development is a continuous process, and as City Manager or County Administrator, you should always be on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and improve. With the right tools and resources, you’ll be able to lead your team and community to success.

Rob Duncan is the Managing Director of Imagine That Performance, dedicated to enhancing leadership in local government through professional facilitation and tailored executive development programs. With over 30 years of experience, Rob has served as a trusted consultant and interim manager for various cities and counties. He founded Imagine That Performance in 2020 to create innovative solutions like Think Tanks and the VisionSync Summit, focusing on aligning leadership with community goals. Rob’s expertise in organizational development and leadership team development empowers local government

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