The Advanced Leadership Development (ALD) program represents GSA’s core effort to plan for executive succession by developing future leaders. The need is immediate as 60 percent of the agency’s senior-level leaders are eligible for retirement over the next five years. ALD is designed to ensure that the agency has a cadre of well-prepared leaders who can effectively replenish those positions.
PBS created this pioneering developmental program in 2000-2001, in conjunction with the Office of Personnel Management. ALD was implemented within PBS and then, given its tremendous success, was embraced agency-wide in 2002. It reflects GSA’s goal of “Maintaining a World-Class Workforce” and is a lynchpin of the agency’s human capital strategy – human capital referring to the human assets that drive the rest of the agency’s asset management plans, including every strategy related to real estate.
ALD participants benefit from a 360-degree assessment, continuous executive coaching, a series of leadership seminars, and a developmental assignment encompassing director-level responsibilities designed to assist PBS with its real property activities. While carrying out these assignments, participants add exceptional value by assuming significant roles and responsibilities in critical real estate positions throughout PBS—and beyond. Upon completion, graduates receive two very tangible rewards: an immediate pay increase, and eligibility for promotion without further competition. Most important, they have enhanced their leadership skills and increased their ability to qualify for senior positions as GSA’s current top-level leaders are promoted or retire.
In creating ALD, PBS had a singular objective: to find the very best associates in the organization and develop them into the leaders of tomorrow. The challenge was that no other Federal agency had created a program quite like it. Original policies, practices and procedures were needed – and these had to be devised, embraced, implemented and evaluated in an ambitious timeframe.
PBS made a huge commitment with the inauguration and implementation of ALD. As well-prepared, highly effective leaders move into positions at the organization’s helm over the next several years, PBS’ capability to carry out its evolving mission will be assured, and the progressive and cost-effective management of its real property assets will be advanced. Creative and assertive human capital planning will have added value to GSA’s portfolio for the ultimate benefit of the American public.
For more information, contact Mr. Paul Lynch at (202) 501-0971 or via e-mail at paul.lynch@gsa.gov
