Executive Core Qualifications for the Future
Late last year we put together a package of leader development workshops designed for Federal Government agencies. It’s called “Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ): Looking Beyond Today.”
In the late 1990s (updated several times since), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) defined five ECQ’s. They’re “the competencies needed to build a Federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions.” Entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES) hinges on demonstrating these qualifications. Success in SES roles demands ongoing honing and deepening of them.
The aim of our workshops is to foster in the participants a distinct perspective on the ECQs, and accompanying new behaviors, that can have an outsize impact on their success as Federal government leaders.
What’s that perspective? It’s rooted in why I chose the name of my consulting practice. Think of it this way. The best organizations and leaders work tirelessly to anticipate and prepare for the future – they have foresight. They also have a strong future-focused vector – a commitment to a clear strategic direction and to continuously increasing the magnitude of their impact.
When those qualities are paramount in a leader’s mind, and habits and behaviors put those qualities into practical everyday use, it helps them be the best leaders they can be.
Our workshop program is designed for individuals in SES Candidate Development Programs and as a continuing education opportunity for current members of the SES.
In my view, professional development isn’t only about learning things that are new. It’s also about seeing things we already know are important in new ways. I’ve designed these workshops with that in mind. They provide tools and mental models for “pre-adapting” to the changing opportunities and challenges of executive leadership. They help participants not only to be stronger leaders for today. They also help them to be the leaders their agencies need them to be for tomorrow, and for the next decade and beyond.
I’m working on adapting these workshops for private sector and non-profit sector leaders – stay tuned. In the meantime, if you’re in the Federal Government community, reach out to learn more.