Program Description

The identification, preparation, and support of the next generation of leaders is important to the future well-being of every organization. Ensuring that talent is available to lead initiatives, manage projects and people, and operate with integrity is a challenge that faces every major organization. Because of the University's size, complexity, and the geographic distribution of our workforce, it is often difficult for potential leaders to gain the experience and visibility needed to move into different and more challenging roles within the institution.

Each year, the President's Emerging Leaders (PEL) Program offers a structured, yet flexible, development opportunity for selected high potential P & A, Civil Service and Bargaining Unit staff to further prepare themselves to provide significant leadership at the University. A cohort of individuals are nominated by University leaders and then selected by a special review committee to participate in a 12-month program that features both educational and experiential components. Program components are aimed at fostering a broad perspective of the University as an enterprise and promoting skill development that enhances the participants' effectiveness.

Program Goals

The PEL Program is designed to meet these goals:

• Further develop the readiness and skills of emerging leaders for leadership roles
• Build a larger pool of potential candidates for open University positions or other assignments that require leadership skills
• Involve University senior leaders in identifying and nurturing talented staff in a more intentional way

Program Components

This program contains components designed to support individual development while capitalizing on the power of the cohort structure.

Individual Development Plan

Each participant will be guided in the development of an individual plan to encourage specific areas of learning. They will participate in a 360° feedback process to provide information about their own style and approach to leadership. This feedback will provide information about their strengths and development areas in order to guide their goalsetting within the program.

Educational

A set of seminars for the entire cohort will be presented throughout the program year. Some of these seminars will focus on providing a stronger knowledge base about the university; others will focus on skill building in particular areas of leadership.

Experiential

Each year the PEL projects, designed to address an essential strategic question facing the U of M, are identified by the PEL administrative team. After indicating their project preference, participants are assigned to a project team consisting of four to five team members, a project sponsor (often a senior University leader), and a team advisor. The group project is designed to enhance the participants' understanding of University issues and operations and to strengthen the "team" experience of the program. This component is intended to engage participants in content outside their "comfort zone" or current work area, stretch participants' knowledge and skill base, and introduce them to the concept and practice of organizational leadership. Although the project sponsor, the team advisor, and the PEL coordinator are available to provide ongoing support and direction to the participants assigned to the project, the expectation is that the majority of the project work is to be accomplished by the Emerging Leaders. Additionally, participants are expected to prepare a final presentation to University leaders regarding their group project at the end of the program.

Mentoring

Each participant will be assigned a primary mentor, an individual who has agreed to provide guidance and assistance to the participant. The mentor is someone who brings experience or expertise useful to the participant as they seek to enhance their effectiveness as leaders. Participants will meet with their mentors usually once per month. The content of these meetings depends on the goals of the participant and mentor. The primary role of this mentor is to provide career advice, offer insights on issues related to leadership, and guide participants in their leadership development.

Participants will be expected to commit 20 percent of their work time over the course of the year to program activities. Units will need to approve and support the involvement of their participant.