Leadership in an Environment of Transformation

Workforce InnovationsJuly 17, 2008

Dawn Busick

Cheryl Welch

Ed Morrison

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

More people engaged but no sense of direction

Leaders “in charge” but no real alignment

Leaders guiding a strategic agenda

with alignment

Region 1Few people engaged

How do we get here?

This session asks

Think Global…Act Regional

Missouri Driving TalentTransformational Leadership

July 17, 2008

Create a Regional Social Network

As the economy and political conditions continue to shift, states and regions are seeking to align education, workforce and economic development systems to ensure their workers are educated, trained and ready to take on the challenge of tomorrows jobs that require advanced skills.

Our Challenges

• Seeing with New Eyes• Engaging in networks outside our boundaries –

outside our comfort zones• Determining our contribution for the good of the

Region• Giving our time and talent!• How do we do it?

Our Opportunity• Building Regional Leadership Networks

– WIRED– RIGs “Regional Innovation Grants”– Transformational Forums– Supportive Regional Initiatives “MoSWIs”

• Transform silo government to networked government– Integrated Services with integrated management– Sharing resources – Engaging in New Partnerships (SHARE Network)

• Neutral collaborative work space– Webportal “WIRED Nation”– Mo Work Smart

• Develop new habits and disciplines of civic leadership to engage– Define Authorizing Environment– Support and encourage Entrepreneurial organizational culture

WHERE DO WE FIND LEADERS?

• Governor• State Boards, Councils, Commissions• County Officials• Economic Development Councils• State Agency Leads• Educational Institutions • Mayors• Chamber of Commerce’s• Local Community Action Agencies• Others

Establish new habits of thinking together

• Map Regional assets

• Guide the conversations

• Leverage the Internet

• Identify common regional gaps with strategies

Move to “acting together”

• Establish core teams with clear roles and responsibilities

• Develop a network of partners• Build habits of strategic doing• Celebrate successes• Engage public awareness

TIPS• Leaders will come and go• All bring their unique contributions• All Regions have home grown Leaders • As the Region grows new roles emerge with new Leaders to join in

• Focus on one to three regional initiatives• Brand your Region

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

John Quincy Adams

Thank you!

Dawn R. BusickDirector

Missouri Division of Workforce Developmentdawn.busick@ded.mo.gov

Roles Fox Valley WDB PlaysRoles

•Leadership•Facilitator•Coach•Champion•Follower•Partner•Liaison•Convener•Other

Roles with Regionalization• The Northeast Wisconsin Economic Study• The creation of New North, Inc.• The development of regionalization philosophy

of New North.• New North Task Forces

– Branding– Entrepreneurs and Small Business– Attract, Develop and Redeploy Talent– Diversity– Targeted Growth Opportunities– Advance Educational Attainment

Lessons Learned

• Start with a small group and expand • Shared expectations of outcome(s)• Focus on “best for the customer” “region”• Assign a permanent staff to the project• Take responsibility and accountability for

successes and non-successes• Leave your historical turf at the door• Don’t limit the “collective” vision• Bring FOOD and a Pleasant Disposition!!!

This approach requires a new approach to leadership

Traditional Leadership Network Leadership

Centralized Distributed, Shared

Single Leader Many Leaders

Command and control Link and leverage

Lead from the front Lead from the front and the rear

This approach requires a new approach to leadership

Network Leader Role Responsibilities

Conveynor Creates neutral space

Connector Links people and assets

Civic entrepreneur Sees new opportunity

Guide, Mentor Maps a complex process

Strategist Reveals larger patterns

Leadership Direction

Civic Deliberation

Low

Low High

High

Leadership Direction

Civic Deliberation

Low

Low High

High

Apathy

Leadership Direction

Civic Deliberation

Low

Low High

High

Apathy

ProcessParalysis

Leadership Direction

Civic Deliberation

Low

Low High

High

Apathy

ProcessParalysis

Back RoomPolitics

Leadership Direction

Civic Deliberation

Low

Low High

High

Apathy

ProcessParalysis

Back RoomPolitics

Regional Leadership