The Leadership ICMA Class of 2015 spent an amazing week at the ICMA-University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute (ICMA SEI) where we joined more than 20 leaders in local government as we discovered and re-discovered ways to move our organizations forward to a higher level of service, ways to move our communities to a better future, and ways to enhance our lives and personal experience. ICMA SEI was a truly outstanding experience.  Here’s the perspective of one Leadership ICMA participant.

“Transformative toolkit for a future leader” is the 6 word reflection on my experience for the 2014 ICMA-SEI. Before attending the Senior Executive Institute, I could never imagine that a week long course would have such a profound effect on my view of public service or leadership. The experience was “transformative” on many levels and for many reasons.

Firstly, the workshop is practical. The class was led by practitioners who are former local government executives. Their stories were powerful tools used throughout the course, sharing real-life experience with vivid illustration.  All of which formed a solid basis for me as a student to learn quickly and as a classmate to share openly.

Building a high-performance organization is the ultimate goal for every attendee at ICMA SEI, however, the pathway to become one was not so clear. At ICMA SEI, instructors have crafted a delicate diagnostic/change framework for building organizations that are adaptive to the environment and organic in its own. The learning experience was fleshed out by classroom teaching and participation, team meetings and self-oriented learning. For me, it enhanced my understanding of the initiatives within my organization and further allowed me, as a mid-level manager to support those initiatives by building alignment between the executive management and front line employees.

Secondly, it is about the people. A dynamic, engaged and talented group of new and seasoned leaders was assembled at ICMA SEI.  Being around this group reinforced the idea that in the 21st century, Human Resources become the most valuable resource for any organization. The people within an organization, their level of engagement, their level of empowerment and outcomes that result from their efforts dictate the fate of an organization.  Directing that effort is essential.  Leadership is essential.

Last, but not the least, the emphasis on the essence of public service. I started my career with the City of Edmonton in the middle of my education in 2008 and have stayed ever since. Because I was so busy doing the job and developing my career, sometimes it was not clear to me what the essence of local government is and how I could contribute to building a better government versus building a better organization. The experience in ICMA SEI has helped me bridge the gap.

With all the universal issues faced by local government (jobs, demographic change, education, safety, infrastructure and environment)¹, none can be handled by local government alone.  Service in today’s world demands broader engagement with the community stakeholders, including other government entities, non-profits, community groups and businesses. We must breakthrough the stereotype of government inefficiency through transparency, openness, and better citizen engagement.  The information age demands it.

The memory and knowledge gained at ICMA SEI will stay with me. As I’ve said countless times to my colleagues back at my organization, “ICMA SEI is the single best training course I have ever taken and I am grateful for having this opportunity to learn from such an elite class.”

As this article comes together, already three weeks has passed since ICMA SEI.  Time flies.  No doubt many of the participants stop and think during a rare quiet moment, “What have I done to “lead” today?”  “What have my classmates done?”  “Have we sparked a tiny change that may grow into a fire of transformation?”