Attention

Nominations for the Spring 2024 cohort are being accepted from February 23 through March 22, 2024.

Certain departments have established an internal review process for nominations, so please contact your manager for more information prior to submitting the nomination form.

Emerging City Leaders Program

This program is specifically targeted for leaders across the City who are not eligible for the CCSF/MEA Leadership Development Program. This program is ideal for City Supervisors/Managers, who are interested in developing leadership skills.

Program Description and Schedule

The key to successful leadership is the ability to communicate effectively in all directions: with stakeholders, individual team members, colleagues, and up the organizational chart. This program focuses on the core leadership skill: Communication. During each session of the workshop series, participants will work on a different aspect of leadership communication. See the upcoming schedule and description of each session below, in person sessions will be held at 1 South Van Ness, 4th floor:

MULTIPLE SESSION WORKSHOP
Welcome Orientation - In Person April 10, 2024
Participants will review the logistics, their agreements, and get to know their fellow cohort members.
Leadership and Communicating for Success April 17 & 24, 2024
Participants will focus on strategies for communicating with key stakeholders on controversial issues, by framing their message for individual groups. Communicating with the boss and the art of storytelling will also be discussed.
Guest Presenter Case Study - In Person May 3, 2024
They will participate in a Case Study with one of our City leaders to practice their skills.
Unleash Your Team through Coaching & Successful Conflict Conversations May 8, 16, 17, 2024
Participants will learn a model for having both guided and directed coaching conversation with individual team members and will take part in extended "real plays" in order to practice a practical coaching model. This series will also include a process and tools for having “conflict” centered conversations.
Facilitation Skills: A Leader’s Toolkit May 23, 30, 2024
Participants will learn the art of leading groups in virtual online and in-person settings, by learning key skills for meeting management and processes for facilitating sessions with both external groups and internal groups.
Finale and Graduation - In Person June 5, 2024
Participants will work together to define the ideal City leader, share program highlights, and create future leadership goals.

 

Program Benefits

The Cohort Experience: This workshop series takes place over ten sessions in a two -month period, with extensive group and partner work. Participants will have the opportunity to develop relationships with other City leaders outside of their own department, allowing them to gain new perspectives and offer each other support beyond the program.

Coaching: Throughout the program, participants will partner with others to practice new coaching methods. Coaching for development, improvement, and conflict between people will be in the practice focus. Partners will help each other to solve real workplace issues. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with an Alumni coach.

Alumni Benefits: After completing the program, all program participants will have the opportunity to attend an annual Leadership Forum with other program alumni, as well as alumni from the CCSF/MEA Leadership Development program.

Program Details

Program Cost: The total program cost is $2000. This covers materials, resources, and facilitation fees.

Attendance Requirement: Attendance is required for all program sessions, and departmental support for attendance is essential for maintaining program continuity for all attendees. Department managers will be asked to meet periodically with participants throughout the program to discuss how to apply the learning. The participant’s manager should work with the Emerging City Leader to create a work coverage plan for all sessions. Those who miss any program time for reasons other than a personal emergency or illness will be asked to discontinue the program and the department will be responsible for the program fee. Attendance at meetings and most work-related conflicts will not be considered acceptable excuses for absences. Unexcused absences may result in the loss of the department’s ability to nominate applicants for future cohorts.

Logistics:  The virtual facilitator-led sessions will be held via Zoom, an interactive online platform that uses both video and audio features. Accessible equipment (including video) is mandatory for the program. Please ensure training is in a private space, as potentially confidential information is discussed. If a private space is not available, use of a headset with microphone function is highly encouraged. The in-person sessions will be held at 1 South Van Ness, 4th floor.

Participation Criteria

This workshop is for City leaders not represented by the Municipal Executives Association (MEA). To be considered, a participant must meet the following requirements:

  • Must have one or more direct reports.
  • Completion of a basic supervision program with 24 contact hours. Examples of acceptable programs: 24 PLUS or equivalent programs, including performance management programs offered at GSA, ADM, Public Works, AIR, PUC or HSA.
  • A strong interest in the topics being presented and commitment to ATTEND ALL SESSIONS.
  • Sign-off by manager and the person who can authorize payment and provide payment codes on application.

How to Apply

Several departments have an internal nomination review process; please check your department process prior to self-nominating. The Spring 2024 nomination form is available until March 22, 2024. Please see the link for the nomination form at the top of the page. Only submit completed forms to be considered.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be requested at least 10 days prior to the start of the program. Individuals who do not cancel prior to the cancellation date will be charged the full amount of the program.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

My job title is manager, but I do not have any direct reports. Can I still attend?

This program is targeted for managers that have direct reports, as at least one third of the program content will be focused on coaching direct reports. In addition, a basic supervision class is required prior to attending this program.

I would love to attend, but I need to miss part of a session. Is that OK?

No. Anyone applying to participate in this workshop series must be available to attend each session in its entirety. Attending meetings, other trainings, or taking vacations are considered unexcused absences and participants may be asked to leave the program if this type of absence occurs. Nominees should consider whether they will be able to attend all sessions before applying for the program. Due to the interactive structure of the program and the limited number of spaces, we need to be strict about these guidelines so that we can be fair to all nominees and participants.

I am a manager represented by MEA, can I attend the Emerging City Leaders Workshop Series?

The MEA/CCSF Leadership Development Program is open to managers that are represented by the SF Municipal Executives Association. The CCSF/MEA program is offered through a joint agreement between the MEA and the City. After offering this program for several years, we came to realize that there was a demand for a similar program for City managers and supervisors that were not represented by MEA. Therefore, we are offering this program one time a year for those who are not eligible for the MEA/CCSF program. There will be no spaces reserved for MEA managers in the Emerging City Leaders cohort. However, if the cohort is not full remaining spaces may be open to MEA represented managers.

Why is there a cost associated with this program?

The cost of this program was calculated based on current standard DHR Workforce Development facilitation rates, as well as materials and vendor fees. We have tried to keep the cost low. The program is a total of 40 in-class hours, and we hope that you will find this to be a great value when compared to attending comparable programs with outside vendors.