The New Leader Program (NLP) is a six-month leadership development program designed to develop future public service leaders by providing assessment, experiential learning, and individual development opportunities. The program develops future public service leaders by providing a solid training and development foundation of leadership skills and team building, which are enhanced by agency developmental experiences.
The program is open to public service employees at the GS 7-11 levels who have recently entered leadership positions or have a high potential for leadership. These positions often include first-line supervisors, team leaders, project managers, administrative support, and members of self-directed work teams. The New Leader Program is for participants who wish to develop, enhance, or improve their leadership skills. Individuals should be nominated for this program based on their potential and motivation to complete all requirements and participate fully in all components of this intensive six-month program.
Participant Comments: "As a result of the New Leader Program, I have become more confident in the decisions I make when managing my work and the work of others." Marsha Henderson, U.S. Air Force "I came out of the New Leader Program with more enthusiasm than I came in with." Dennis Trask, AMS "The New Leader Program has had a positive impact on every role I assume, at work, home, and in the community." Kathy Lynne, U.S. Navy
Assessment The program begins with each individual completing two self-assessment instruments. The assessment instruments are completed by the participants, along with their supervisors and peers.
Needs assessment tools are used to help participants understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to achieve more effective results from the program. The assessment includes:
The Assessment Activity The assessment activity facilitates participant's development process by providing them with objective feedback on their developmental needs. Participants are encouraged to share their results with their supervisor and managers. By combining their assessment results with their own and their manager's views of their needs, participants will be assisted in the development of a personalized leadership development plan.
Individual Development Each participant develops and follows a customized Personal Development Action Plan (PDAP). The PDAP is based on feedback from the Leadership Effectiveness Inventory, and will essentially act as the participant's blue print and road map throughout the program.
It will consist of customized developmental objectives and experiences that will assist each participant's growth and development, and utilize the New Leader Program's integrated approach to leadership development. Participants receive classroom instruction and counseling in the development of their PDAP, and are required to coordinate plan preparation with their first-line supervisor and their agency program cordinator to ensure appropriate support.
Experiential Learning Participants practice and develop skills in real-world situations. This includes, but is not limited to, developmental activities, team-based learning, simulations, role playing, and case studies, while classroom learning supplements learning that occurs on the job. Participants are also assigned to Learning Teams, which aide them in becoming more self-directed, action-oriented, and visionary leaders. The experiential learning focuses on program components which include:
Individual Assessment
Three one-week residential sessions
Personal Development Action Plan
Learning Teams/Team Projects
30-Day Developmental Work Assignment
Management Readings
Management Interviews
Shadow Assignment
Developmental Assignments Participants will be required to complete a 30-day developmental assignment within their agency, but outside of their position of record. This program component is designed to provide the participant with opportunities to develop competencies in areas outside of their technical expertise.
Each participant will also be required to complete two management book reviews, two interviews of senior-level managers at the Gs-13-SES level and one 3-day shadow.
Participants are assigned to learning teams during the orientation session, each team will explore a program-related issue and make a one-hour team presentation of this issue during the final week of the program.
Core Classroom Curriculum The curriculum employs our integrated approach to leadership development in which a heavy emphasis is placed on individual assessment, experiential learning, and individual development. The core classroom curriculum consists of three intensive one-week residential sessions.
Throughout the program participants are assigned to a Leadership Development Team. These teams remain intact throughout the program and attend all curriculum sessions together. These teams strengthen leadership and interpersonal skills, stimulate commitment to personal development, and provide a forum for exploring and addressing current issues facing supervisors and managers in the workplace.
Each team will be responsible for preparing and delivering an hour long presentation on a leadership development-related topic to the class.
Each week of the residential session focuses on skill building, teams at work, and various leadership competencies. Some of these leadership competencies include:
Team Building
Decision Making/Problem Solving
Decisiveness
Customer Service
Conflict Management
Oral Communication
Written Communication
Leveraging Diversity
Flexibility
What are the benefits of developing New Leaders?
Benefits to the Participant:
Objective view of strengths and weaknesses
Opportunities to strengthen weaknesses
Increased exposure to other organizations
Integrated approach ties to Leadership Development Plan
Benefits to the Participant's Manager:
Involvement in participant's assessment
Involvement in participant's development
Allows for more effective management
Benefits to the Organization:
Increased understanding of the organization's mission and values
Increased retention of high-caliber and high-potential employees
Integral component of the organization's succession planning
Nomination Procedure A complete nomination package should be sent by mail or a logistics services company (e.g., FedEx, UPS) to:
New Leader Program Center for Leadership and Management Graduate School 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 330 Washington, DC 20024-2520 Phone: (202) 314-3580
The nomination package must be received by the nomination deadline and must include:
A completed New Leader Application that includes information about the applicant, the applicant’s immediate supervisor, and the program coordinator at the applicant’s organization; the program coordinator is the person who will maintain records of the applicant's developmental activities and serve as a liaison with the Graduate School on program matters;
The application must also include a statement from the applicant indicating the applicant’s purpose for applying and how participation in the New Leader Program will support the applicant’s career goals;
The applicant’s current resume, signed and dated by the applicant ;
Payment method information; we must receive payment or payment information with the application to process the registration; we accept:
Credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and VISA)
Government purchase cards
Organization purchase order; a completed and signed government training authorization form (e.g., SF182 ) can be submitted in lieu of a purchase order
Electronic fund transfers (EFT)
Cash, Money Orders, Checks or Cashiers Checks.
The nomination deadline and other program dates are listed below. Program applicants are advised that their organization may have different deadline dates and requirements. It is important to check with the organization's program coordinator for information regarding deadline dates and requirements.
The Graduate School is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We make every practical effort to ensure that our programs are accessible to physically challenged participants and participants with special needs.
NLP Application (Word document) Program nominees, program coordinators and first-line supervisors will receive written notification of final selections. Selectees will be notified of training location and hours prior to the orientation start date.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact
New Leader Program Center for Leadership and Management Graduate School 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 330 Washington, DC 20024-2520 Phone: (202) 314-3580 Fax: (202) 479-6812 or -6813
E-mail:
Withdrawals and Substitutions Withdrawals are accepted at no cost if made more than 14 days before the program begins. If you cancel less than 14 days before the program begins, there is a $500 processing fee if no substitution is made. There will be no refund for withdrawal after the orientation session. Substitutions may be made anytime until the session begins.
The New Leader Program (NLP) is a six-month leadership development program designed to develop future public service leaders by providing assessment, experiential learning, and individual development opportunities. The program develops future public service leaders by providing a solid training and development foundation of leadership skills and team building, which are enhanced by agency developmental experiences.