Fundamentals of Leadership Program

This is a nine-month, cohort-based program. The purpose of this program is to provide support for SMHS faculty and staff with new or expanded leadership responsibilities. The program is focused on enhancing fundamental competencies related to leading individuals, teams, and organizations. The target audience are those who are in administrative roles directing programs, functions, centers and large-scale projects.

The program uses a learning approach to effective leadership development based on work by Jay Conger, incorporating conceptual understanding about leadership, skill building, feedback, and reflection. During the program, participants will:

• Explore leadership concepts and approaches through reading and discussion
• Build leadership skills and capabilities via practice and situational sharing
• Receive feedback on individual and project leadership and provide feedback to others
• Be encouraged to continuously reflect on their leadership 
• Identify needs for their on-going leadership development 

The program begins with individual pre-work developing or refining a project plan for one work-related project the participant wants to focus on developing throughout the program. This will be discussed in meeting with the program leaders before the in-class sessions begin and then shared and discussed with the entire cohort at the first session. Thereafter, the cohort will meet to explore and discuss various leadership competencies and how they can be applied to the project. A small amount of reading and individual work will be assigned to be completed in advance of each session. 

In-between monthly sessions, each participant will meet with a mentor; a member of SMHS leadership who will provide guidance and support, as well as concrete suggestions for project and personal development. 

By the end of the program, participants will be able to:

• Recognize personal leadership strengths and areas for enhancement
• Apply tools and techniques to improve their leadership of others
• Implement strategies to support the goals and objectives of their projects

Testimonials from Previous Participants

Kevin Nies, Med, MD Program Admissions 

The FLP Was an oasis of reflection amidst the backdrop of frantic work days. The curriculum offered the opportunity to both build and improve practical work skills while also benefiting from the guidance of mentors and the camaraderie of peers in the cohort. The various topics helped propel my leadership approach forward, including but not limited to negotiating team building and lifelong learning.

Marisa Birkmeier, PT, DPT, DHSc, Department of Health, Human Function & Rehabilitation Sciences

The Fundamentals of Leadership Program afforded me the time to explore my leadership journey and self-assess my abilities to improve in project management and human resource development. I appreciated working with folks from across SMHS/CNH/MFA, which helps build our culture as a school.

Jennifer Berkeley, MD, PhD, LifeBridgeHealth Departments of Research & Neurology

Wonderful breadth of faculty who covered so many aspects of what it takes to be a good leader. Helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses as a leader and consider ways to turn weaknesses into strengths.

Katherine Chiappinelli, PhD, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine

The program allowed me to evaluate my leadership of my team, with input from facilitators and peers, to continually improve. I gained confidence from the sessions and our discussions.

Shilpa Patel, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics; Emergency Medicine & Trauma Service

It has made me be more deliberate and intentional in my practice of leadership. The classes had excellent reading (some of which I shared with family as it was so impactful).  The class structure/content also was helpful in building concrete skills with tools I could use and implement.

Application Process

Download Application Here. 

Please do NOT provide any supplemental information.

Submit your application here. The deadline to apply is on or before August 30th, 2024.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on:

The alignment of the program goals, content and approach with the applicant’s stated needs, and the project’s importance to the department and to SMHS.

Schedule of Fundamentals of Leadership Sessions for SMHS Faculty and Staff

October 2024-June 2025

In-person attendance is expected at all sessions; lunch is available at 12:30pm

Session	Date and Time	Content	Faculty Facilitator(s)
Pre-class	To be scheduled during October 2024	Project Design This is an individual meeting with the program leadership to discuss your project goals and objectives and possible mentors	Goldman/Lucas
1	November 14, 2024 1:00pm-4:30pm	Setting Direction for Project Success Cohort introductions, program overview, exploration of projects as organizational changes with related leadership requirements, implementation processes, and barriers/enablers	Goldman/Lucas
2	December 12, 2024 1:00pm-4:30pm	Selecting Approaches to Leadership Leadership behaviors and styles; contextually-based decision-making processes, and the options for developing organizational culture	Goldman
3	January 9, 2025 1:00pm-4:30 pm	Managing Your Time and Managing Up Techniques for prioritizing tasks, making the best use of your time, and maximizing your relationship with your supervisor/s	Lucas
4	February 13, 2025 1:00pm-4:30pm	Building Your Negotiation Skills Common myths, recommended processes, and best practice techniques and tactics for negotiating for resources and other support	Berger
5	March 13, 2025 1:00pm-4:30pm	Maximizing Team Performance and Learning Principles and practices to promote effective teamwork, facilitate useful meetings, manage conflict, and develop a high performing team	Lucas
6	April 10, 2025 1:00pm-4:30pm	Gaining Commitment and Developing Others Tools to enhance your listening ability, coaching and developing others, addressing performance issues, and influencing without authority	Herrmann
7	May 8, 2025 1:00pm-4:30pm	Developing Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Assessment of and strategies for enhancing your self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management	Herrmann
8	June 12, 2025 1:00pm-4:30pm	Moving Change Forward Continuing project and change leadership requirements, personal leadership development, resiliency and succession planning	Goldman/Lucas

Questions may be directed to:

Ellen Goldman, EdD, MBA
Program Leader
egoldman@gwu.edu or 202-994-4004

Dee Dee Herrmann, DHSc, MPH, PA-C
Director, SMHS Center for Faculty Excellence
dee2a@gwu.edu or 202-994-5144