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Leadership for a Democratic Society

The themes of FEI's Leadership for a Democratic Society program reflect and enhance the common culture of senior Federal executives. Personal leadership, organizational transformation, policy, and global perspectives components support an overarching emphasis on our government's constitutional framework.

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FEI: A Unique Approach to Learning

Throughout its 35-year history, FEI has been known for the personal attention it gives to every executive who attends. The Leadership for a Democratic Society program is tailored to each participant through individual instrumented feedback, the ability to choose from a variety of small group courses and large group plenary sessions, one-on-one coaching from a faculty facilitator, and assistance from program colleagues in a small Leadership Development Team.

FEI is also known for its strength in building lasting relationships among program executives, who then help each other advance their careers and meet agency goals after graduation. Unstructured time each day offers the opportunity to network with other executives or just to relax and reflect on one's career, organization, and personal goals.

FEI's Wellness Program is another special feature which helps executives balance career and health needs. Beginning with a computer-based Health Risk Appraisal, FEI provides personal data, a physical screening, and presentations on health risks, nutrition, and stress management. Optional daily aerobics and walking sessions as well as nutritional information on FEI's menus support executives in living healthy lives.

FEI is also unique in using the U.S. Constitution as an overarching theme and governing process to blend the diverse talents, needs, perspectives, and professional goals of participants, their agencies, and the citizens they serve. FEI fosters executives who excel in a 21st century world but remain connected to the Constitutional principles forged in the 18th century. We invite you to join both worlds at FEI.

Learn about Program Themes and Learning Outcomes as well as Course Offerings. You can also get answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Why Attend FEI's Leadership for a Democratic Society Program?

This four-week program brings together executives from 25-30 domestic and defense agencies for a unique, residential learning experience. Benefits reported by graduates of FEI's Leadership for a Democratic Society program include:

• Keen insights into their leadership strengths and areas for development
  
• Improved leadership and management skills, especially in such areas as team building, influencing/negotiating, strategic thinking, political savvy, and external awareness
  
• Improved organizational performance as a result of what was learned and later applied back on the job
  
• Dramatically larger networks for enhanced problem solving
  
• Increased appreciation for the importance of Federal service and increased understanding of the diverse talents of Federal executives
  
• Broader understanding of the Constitution, the policy framework in which executives must lead, and the interplay among major stakeholders at the national level
  
• Improved personal wellness and balance in one's life

Program Themes

The themes of FEI's Leadership for a Democratic Society program reflect and enhance the Constitutional underpinning of Federal Government work and the common culture of senior Federal executives. At FEI, executives explore and build their knowledge and skills in Personal Leadership, Transforming Public Organizations, the Policy Framework in which government leadership occurs, and the Global Context of both U.S. and international trends and events that shape our government's arena and agenda for action.

The Leadership for a Democratic Society program addresses all of the Executive Core Qualifications required by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for entry and success in the Senior Executive Service: Leading Change, Leading People, Results-Driven, Business Acumen, and Building Coalitions/Communication. It also assists executives in addressing the five major focus areas in the President's Management Agenda.

Leadership for a Democratic Society Program Design

	The Leadership for a Democratic Society program addresses all five of the Executive Core Qualifications
	ECQ 1: Leading Change ECQ 2: Leading People ECQ 3: Results-Driven ECQ 4: Business Acumen ECQ 5: Building Coalitions/ Communication   Constitutional Literacy Reader

FEI's approach builds a learning community where Federal executives and faculty are both teachers and learners. While the program provides a common core of knowledge and skills, it also enables each executive to tailor the learning experience to her or his needs.

The Leadership Development Team is the cornerstone of the FEI experience. Teams of 7-8 executives and a faculty facilitator build a supportive learning climate and create lasting relationships that enable executives to work with each other across organizational boundaries - both during and after the program.

During the first week of the program, each executive explores the nature of leadership and uses data from personal assessments and the Leadership Development Team experience to assess leadership strengths and identify areas for development. Each executive crafts a personal learning plan for the remainder of their time at FEI and beyond.

Courses and plenaries appeal to a variety of learning styles and executive needs. Participants choose a different course each week during their last three weeks from a selection based on the program themes. Courses are small and use a wide mix of interactive methods, including group exercises, case studies, simulations, skill practice, instruments, and video tapes. The plenary sessions bring the entire class together to focus on the program themes and current policy issues.

Field Experiences allow participants to explore leadership issues and practices in a wide variety of settings away from the FEI campus. Trips to private, nonprofit, and public organizations are scheduled in most programs.

Executive Forums invite participants to deliver presentations on topics of interest to their peers and thus help colleagues learn about other government agencies.

As they prepare to graduate, participants also work on a Leadership Challenge to present to their organization back home. This activity helps executives synthesize their learning around four key leadership questions: What drives them as executives? What are their organization's core values and purpose? Where do they want to lead their organization in facing the challenges of the future? What further personal development do they need to make their vision of the future a reality?

The Applied Learning Program

The Applied Learning Program model of the Leadership for a Democratic Society program also addresses the main program themes but uses an approach especially suited to executives who prefer not to attend four consecutive weeks and who wish to blend learning with on-the-job application. The first two-week residential segment focuses on the personal leadership theme. Next is a three-month "back home" intersession during which participants apply skills learned at FEI in an Executive Learning Project. The second two-week residential segment draws lessons from the Executive Learning Project experience and focuses on organizational leadership.

	The FEI experience from the perspective of a recent graduate

A Complete Learning Experience

FEI's Wellness Program helps executives balance career and health needs. Beginning with a computer-based Health Risk Appraisal, it provides feedback and analysis of personal data, a physical screening, and presentations on health issues faced by adults at midlife. Participants practice what they learn about fitness in optional daily aerobics or walking sessions and about nutrition by using information on FEI's menus to balance healthy and hearty meal choices. FEI Supports the Wellness Program after graduation through its ongoing Wellness Web site.

As they prepare to graduate, participants also work on a Leadership Challenge to present to their organization back home. This activity helps executives synthesize their learning around four key leadership questions: What drives them as executives? What are their organization's core values and purpose? Where do they want to lead their organization in facing the challenges of the future? What further personal development do they need to make their vision of the future a reality?

A Typical Day at FEI

The Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA

Located approximately two hours southwest of Washington, D.C., FEI is removed from the constant interruptions of daily work. The fourteen acre campus is in the heart of the bustling university community of Charlottesville, Virginia, but is secluded by woods and terrain. Participants stay in comfortable private guest rooms and eat well-prepared, health-conscious meals. Programs are presented in well-equipped on-site classrooms. When not in class, executives may exercise in the Alumni Fitness Center or play volleyball or basketball. Quiet spaces for walking, relaxation and conversation, in addition to the Susan B. Anthony Library, round out the facility. All facilities used for the program are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Who Should Attend
the Leadership for a Democratic Society Program

Federal Government employees who attend FEI are members of the Senior Executive Service or are GS-15 (or equivalents in other pay systems). Selected senior state, local, and international government executives also participate.

Participants arrange their attendance through their agency training offices. The training offices then submit training forms to FEI. International, state, and local executives arrange for attendance in the Leadership for a Democratic Society program through their training or personnel offices. These offices send nominations by letter with accompanying resumes. FEI terminates acceptance of nominations or substitutions two weeks prior to each session. The Institute does not refund charges if agencies must cancel attendance.

Leadership for a Democratic Society Program Tuition

• Leadership for a Democratic Society
  $10,950
  
  
• Leadership for a Democratic Society - Applied Learning Program
  $11,450

Tuition includes all instructional services, course materials, and food and lodging charges.

Agencies reimburse FEI via credit card, SF 182, MIPR, Purchase Order, or other appropriate vehicle.

For Further Information or to Register

The FEI Registrar may be reached through email at: fei@opm.gov or by phone at (434) 980-6200.