The Leadership for a Democratic Society Program

Overview and Outcomes

The Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) program offers an unmatched learning experience to prepare senior-level executives for the complex challenges of leadership. Through expert instruction and action-learning, the program develops the capacity for visionary leaders who can transform their organizations and government.

LDS prepares senior-level leaders for complex challenges, including

• Broadened understanding of the U.S. Constitution as the foundation for Federal public service Increased critical self-awareness as an individual, team member, and leader
• Enhanced leadership and management strengths and areas for improvement, especially in the areas of team- building, strategic thinking, influencing/negotiating, political savvy, and external awareness
• Enhanced ability to identify problems and plan for action to improve organization performance Appreciate more fully the importance of Federal service and the diverse talents and resource of Federal executives
• Improved ability to leverage the diverse talents of the Federal workforce
• Expanded professional networks, enabling improved inter-organizational collaboration and problem- solving
• Increased resiliency, mental and physical wellness, and work-life balance

Leveraging the expertise and experience of each executive, the LDS establishes a learning community where the participants and faculty are both teachers and learners. Anchored in current leadership theory, the core curriculum is aligned with OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications and Leadership Competencies. In addition to the LDS core curriculum, LDS participants, through a selection of learning environments and topics, tailor their learning experience to meet their self-determined needs and interests. Each executive completes several introspective assignments, at least one action-learning project, and produces plans to transform themselves and their organizations.         

LDS Program Formats

To meet varying personal and professional needs of its participants, the LDS program is offered in three formats. While utilizing unique learning media and methodology, all three formats achieve the same learning outcomes and are equally rewarding. Thus, executives and their host agencies only need to select the format which is most advantageous to them in terms of scheduling, travel, cost, and learning preference.

The four formats are:

• Residential Learning Program: The Residential Learning Program (RLP) is a four-week continuous, in-residence program held aboard the FEI campus in Charlottesville, VA.
  
  RLP participants engage in on-campus learning sessions, off-campus field experience activities and small-team learning environments. Participants engage in a variety of activities while attending sessions Monday through Friday for four weeks (including evening sessions) along with a full weekend of sessions over the first weekend of the program.
   
• Applied Learning Program: The Applied Learning Program (ALP) is designed to allow participants to apply and assess their classroom learning while addressing challenges in their workplace during an inter-session period.
  
  ALP participants first participate in 80-hours of in-residence learning at the FEI campus in Charlottesville, VA. They then return to their workplace for an 3-month inter-session period to apply their new knowledge and skills.  Finally, they return to campus for 80-hours of in-residence learning to assess the effectiveness of their efforts and continue their study of leadership.
   
• Blended Learning Program: The Blended Learning Program (BLP) is designed to meet the needs of executives who are unable to be away from work or home for an extended period or who prefer to learn through distance education. The program meets the same learning requirements of the other formats with graduates earning the same certificate of mastery.
  
  BLP participants first participate in 80-hours of in-residence education at the FEI campus in Charlottesville, VA. They then return to their workplace where they complete 80-hours of online learning over a six-month period.  Finally, they reconvene – either in-person or online – to complete for two-days of activities (to include instruction and commencement).
  
  
• Online Learning Program. The Online Learning Program (OLP) is designed for executives who prefer online learning. The program meets the same learning requirements of the other formats with graduates earning the same certificate of mastery.
  
  OLP participants first participate in two weeks of online instruction and small-group activities (20-hours per week). Then, over a three-month period, they compete three, three-week courses and at least three, three-hour elective sessions (six-hours per week). Finally, they conclude the program with several small-group sessions and an online commencement ceremony (eight-hours in one week).

Annual Schedule of LDS Programs

The LDS program is offered multiple times per year. Please visit the Center for Leadership Development Schedule at a Glance for a list of all scheduled offerings.