U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

What is the focus of the Leadership for a Democratic Society program?
The title of the program is the key. We assume that everyone coming to FEI has good professional and management skills. You could not have gotten where you are without them. But effectiveness at the executive level requires leadership skills. Leadership means thinking beyond your professional, functional and organizational box, seeing the world outside the organization, out into the future, and then figuring out the right things to do (in contrast to doing things right, which is the important province of the manager). Leadership means exerting influence beyond where anyone has given you formal authority. And leadership in a democratic society means knowing how to do all this in our unique political environment. Our Federal Government was designed to thwart your best efforts at exerting power to get things done. Indeed, James Madison commented that the framers of our Constitution consciously "engineered an inefficient government to keep men free." Leadership means learning to be effective in this context.

What is the benefit to myself and my organization from attending the LDS?
You will get a better understanding of yourself and of the context in which you work as an executive. Your agency will get back an executive who is therefore much better equipped to be more responsive to customers and to bosses, to the electorate and to the elected. We offer a wide range of learning experiences to help you do this. We'll also help you think in new ways about your key leadership challenges. Indeed, you'll be asked to craft a leadership challenge for your organization during your time at FEI, since communicating such a challenge is a key function of executive leadership. You'll have a chance to get expert consulting on key issues you face from 60-70 other executives in the program, who can help you see how they deal with similar issues in their own agencies. You'll also get help from a range of faculty, who have counseled, taught, and coached Federal executives for years. Both executives and faculty can become part of your network to use when you leave FEI.

What are the weekend schedules for the Leadership for a Democratic Society Program?
The first weekend of each LDS program requires attendance on Saturday and Sunday and is therefore a "working weekend." On all other weekends classes end at noon on Friday and the weekend is unscheduled. Graduation is on the last Friday at noon.

How can I get the most out of the FEI and the LDS experience?
Four weeks is a short time (senior military schools usually run 10 month courses!) for a senior executive course. If there are distractions from home and from your office, it's hard to get fully engaged in learning. You can get the most out of your time at FEI by "clearing the decks" of any back-home pressures. Delegate key assignments to others (this is also a good way to develop your subordinates). Don't bring your laptop, pager, and cell phone (or, if you must, use them very sparingly - and never in class!). Tell your office to let you work here uninterrupted. In addition to keeping outside pressures away, you can get the most out of your time here by being willing to take risks. Try new behaviors. Question your assumptions. Be willing to take courses that are "outside your comfort zone." Forge new networks by reaching out to people with whom you may think you have little in common. We promise to create an environment where it is safe for you to experiment. If you do, you'll surprise yourself with what you learn and accomplish.

What is a typical day like at FEI?
A typical day has classes from 8:15-12 noon, from 2:30-5 pm, and again from 7:00-8:30 pm. The only "optional" activity at FEI is the fitness classes that are offered in the mornings at 6am. That time is also reserved for study, reading, and work on class projects. Everything else on the agenda (e.g. courses, Executive Forums, etc.) are required, although for many of the required time blocks you will have a choice of which topical session you attend. Some people have heard before they come to FEI that it is a good place to relax, but no one believes it after they're here. While the atmosphere is informal, the curriculum is rigorous.

What about visitors or going home on weekends?
Visitors (e.g. family members) are welcome and encouraged to stay at FEI during all non-working weekends. They may stay in your room and take meals here (no cost for the room but you will need to reimburse the government for their meals). However, visitors are not permitted during times when class is in session. The program is simply too intense and the facilities too full to be able to accommodate visitors at these times. The first weekend (between weeks 1-2) is a working weekend and you will be in session all day Saturday and Sunday. This is essential due to the nature of the curriculum, so please do not make any plans to be away or have visitors on that weekend.

I have heard that the dress at FEI is "business casual." What does that mean?
Business dress (e.g. suit and tie) is only required at FEI at graduation on the last Friday and for some of the off-campus site visits. Dress at all other times is "business casual." Rather than try to define that precisely, it may be more helpful to say that we ask participants to dress casually, keeping in mind that they do represent the government when interacting with noted speakers and visitors to FEI. Athletic clothes are, of course, perfectly acceptable during all fitness activities and at non-class times.

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