Check out the great line-up of lifelong learning opportunities for California counties coming up in July at the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government. The focus is on the practice of leadership – the empowering side of management – and media relations. Read on for the details and register now. Class size is limited and they fill quickly. 

The Institute expands the capacity and capability of county elected officials, senior executives and managers to provide extraordinary services to their communities. Classes are open to all county staff and elected officials. They are an affordable $149 each and include instruction, class materials and lunch. Discounts available when registering for three or more classes.

July Classes

Enable and Energize: Create an Environment for People to Excel 

Thursday, July 13, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

New Class! In their trusted book, “The Leadership Challenge,” authors Kouzes and Posner share their research and the five leadership practices, critical in today’s workplace. This class examines two of the practices: Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart.  While straightforward, most managers find the exercise of these exemplary practices much more difficult. Through practical exercises, participants study the building of trust, facilitation of relationships and practices to develop capacity in others. Recognizing one cannot motivate others, but can create an environment in which every employee feels motivated, the class looks at tools for recognizing contributions and commitments to shared values. Instructor is Bill Chiat, Dean of CSAC Institute. For the last 35 years he has facilitated executive leadership development with agency managers and executives, and served in senior executive roles.  

The Maturity Factor + Emotional Intelligence: Become Emotionally Agile for Success 

Friday, July 14, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

Behavioral sciences research is less than 50 years old. Yet in that short period, we have uncovered many useful ideas and models for contemporary leadership practice. It now seems obvious to any manager or leader that emotional intelligence and psychological maturity are essential elements of success. This workshop reviews the core elements of both EQ and the Maturity Factor. It then explores best practices of effective managers and leaders in using their emotions for the greater good. Emotional agility and flexibility gives rise to opportunities to interact on complex problems and situations in new and unique ways. The class provides participants the information and best practices needed to become more masterful and flexible. Instructor is Larry Liberty, Ph.D. Larry works with Fortune 500 companies and teachers in MBA programs across the globe, and is author of “The Maturity Factor – Solving the Mystery of Great Leadership.”

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Thursday, July 20, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Contra Costa County Campus

What characteristics and practices distinguish great from good performers? What evidence based practices should be part of your daily routine to be a high performer? We will answer these questions from a 30-year data base and research of top performance as we dive into the four areas of Emotional Intelligence (EI): 1) Understanding Yourself, 2) Managing Yourself, 3) Understanding Others and 4) Managing Others. You will take an assessment to determine your EI strengths. Hands on tools to enhance your EI are explored. Emotional Intelligence is a prime factor to one’s success when compared to Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and technical expertise. Business simulations, practices sessions, videos and group discussions will help participants enjoy, engage and learn more. Instructor is Relly Nadler, Psy.D., founder of True North Leadership, Inc. and author of “Leading with Emotional Intelligence.”   

Making an Impression: Effective Media Practices

Friday, July 28, 2017 – 10:00 to 3:30 – Sacramento Campus

Every call from the news media for an interview presents both risk, and an opportunity to make a positive impression. This course helps seasoned professionals and elected officials understand the news media, how it works and why it works the way it does. The course will also help polish interviewing skills, staying on message and bridging back to main messages. The course covers practical strategies for planning, preparing and delivering interviews that get your message across in a way that will be retained by the audience. Participants build their skills for live, taped and phone interviews. Hands-on work includes practice labs, videos and constructive critiques from media professionals. Instructors are David Liebler, CSAC Director of Public Affairs and Members Services and a former journalist; and Betsy Burkhart, Communications and Media Director for Contra Costa County.