Things We've Learned About Workforce Leadership

VINZ KOLLER, KRISTIN WOLFF,ALISON GASH, CHANDRA LARSENSOCIAL POLICY RESEARCH ASSOCIATES

Things we’ve learned about WORKFORCELEADERSHIP

1. IT’S MORE LIKE . . .WE-

ADERSHIP “We bring different players involved in workforce development, from tech schools to trade associations and state government agencies. We are convenors. So much depends on the willingness to collaborate.” –Lana, State Representative

2. 31 FLAVORS

"Expectations are greater today as the public's understanding of education and economic issues has increased. It's a positive change – our agendas are bigger, even if not always realistic." – Paul, WIB Director

Literacy, BroadbandConnectivity, Industry Transition(it’s all workforce)

3. “In order to form a more perfect …” ALIGNMENT

”Diverse partners add the resources and expertise we do not have and the reverse is also true. You need partnerships to take on the hard issues. Knowing how to manage them is an important aspect of leadership.” – Christine, WIB Director

”Metrics matter and they should be strategic – linked to a collaboratively negotiated community-wide strategy and owned by multiple stakeholders who can hold each other accountable. Then they are powerful. – Sam, VP, Member Association

4. IMPACT > PROGRAM + SYSTEM

5. IT’S A GLOBAL VILLAGE

”Technology and innovation are key. We need to keep in mind that we are part of a global economy. The world is bigger than the community we live or work in. – Stephen, Interagency Workgroup Director

6. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT = PICK-UP BASKETBALL?

”Leadership has to see a greater range of choices coming and deal with them faster and better than ever before. We do what we can to anticipate change – and make sure what we design is sustainable after the flurry is over.” – Mike, WIB Marketing Specialist

7. EFEECTIVE LEADERSCAN PLAY MANY POSITIONS”Since the downturn, mayors have asked for more workforce services delivered more locally – I have 34 municipalities in my area.” Jennifer, WIB Director

8. WORKFORCE LEADERSHIP DEMANDS LIFELONG LEARNING ABOUT LEARNING AND WORK

”We are trying to build an understanding of workforce and how systems work at all levels in our community – but those systems themselves need to change.” Shari, VP, Member Association

9. THE LIST OF “NEED-TO-KNOWS” IS GROWING

STRATEGYINFORMATION& ANALYSIS

PEOPLE

NARRATIVE

10. LEADERS WANTED!

”Younger people have different expectations about the workplace, and about work. How should we be thinking about knowledge-sharing s. adaptation?”Shari, VP of Member Association

”Younger people have different expectations about the workplace, and about work. How should we be thinking about knowledge-sharing vs. adaptation?”Shari, VP of Member Association

”One of our biggest concerns has to do with the number of people reaching retirement age…how do we institutionalize the knowledge and skills they have?” – Roy, Program Director

11. IT’S SERIOUSBUSINESS”Leaders do real things. Last year we put 15,000 young people to work – the need is 70,000, but now everyone knows it and a partnership is taking root.” – Robert, Department Manager

12. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: WHAT’S NEXT?

US Department of Labor, National Association of Counties, National Association of Workforce Boards, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, US Conference of Mayors, California Workforce Association, 88 Individual Workforce Leader Contributors (to Date)

SPR Research Team: Vinz Koller, Kristin Wolff, Trace Elms, Alison Gash, Ricki Kozumplik, with assistance from Annie Nyborg and Miloney Thakrar

Follow us on Twitter: @WFLeadershipFor more information: www.EnhancingWorkforceLeadership.org

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