Leader Engagement & Acceleration Program (LEAP)

Operational Definition

Leadership development – Education and training that provides opportunities for individuals and groups to increase their leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to improve or expand the organization’s leadership capabilities to address operational and strategic challenges now and in the future. 

Purpose of LEAP

The overarching purpose of LEAP is to identify and develop effective leaders within the organization to address the current and future leadership needs of the Metropolitan Library System in a sustainable manner.

LEAP Program Goals & KSA

LEAP training will be provided through experiential learning, education, and building effective relationships with peers and has two primary goals: to develop a framework to produce both sustainable and effective leadership practices at individual and organizational levels. To that end, participants will complete LEAP with the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA):

Goal 1:  Sustainable Leadership Practices at Individual and Organizational Levels

• Ability to value and utilize self-reflection and constructive feedback in their leadership development
• Ability to use effective change orchestration practices and tools
• Knowledge of the internal and external economic, political and social drivers impacting the library system
• Knowledge of the overall operation of the library system and how each part works together to support the organization’s mission
• Knowledge of their role in developing the workplace leadership environment and culture
• Skills to establish and maintain effective coaching support and mentorship practices

Goal 2:  Effective Leadership Practices at Individual and Organizational Levels

• Ability to identify ethical and moral dilemmas and respond effectively to both
• Ability to understand their own identity, style, and leadership capacity and recognize the same in others
• Knowledge of their personal and leadership values on decision making and ethical situations
• Knowledge of organizational accountability practices
• Skills to effectively communicate with/within diverse individuals, groups, and settings
• Skills to properly influence others to leverage organizational success                                            

LEAP Eligibility

• Fulltime employed and at least one year in current position
• Minimum of a “Meets Expectation” on all performance review components in last review
• Employees under disciplinary or performance probation at the time of application will not be eligible
• One applicant per location / unit per class
• Once selected, applicants must actively attend and participate in all activities with no more than 2 excused absences, or they will be dropped from the program

LEAP Application Materials

• Application Form
• Personal leadership statement - description of what leadership means to you and how you will apply what you learn
• Recommendation form from immediate supervisor
• Recommendation form from peer
• Applications will be available on the MLS intranet.

LEAP Criteria for Selection

• The current MLS Executive Director, Senior Management Group, and LEAP Planning Committee will compose the Selection Committee for considering the eligible applicants for participation in each LEAP class. Members of the previous Metropolitan Library System leadership programs are not eligible for selection for the initial LEAP class but may be asked to serve as mentors for program participants.
• Participants will be chosen to participate based on the mission of the program and the information provided in the admission application, applicant’s Leadership Belief Statement, and their supervisor’s and peer’s recommendation.
• Only participants who meet the established criteria will be selected to participate in the class. There is no pre-established minimum number of participants, but a maximum of 8 class members.
• The committee will notify all applications in writing of its decisions.

LEAP Major Program Events

• Applications Available:     November 18 - December 15, 2019
• Supervisor & Peer Recommendations/References Due:     December 17, 2019
• Participants Notified:     Week of January 13, 2020
• Kick-off Meeting:    February 15, 2020
• Mentor Pairing:    March 25, 2020
• Group Projects 1:    April 22, 2020
• Group Project 2:    July 22, 2020
• Graduation:   October 28, 2020

LEAP Topics Covered

• Appropriate professional conduct and ethics associated with effective leadership
• Budgeting
• Building design and maintenance
• Common characteristics of leaders
• Community engagement
• Emotional Intelligence / Relationship Building
• Ethics and morality
• Leadership/Personality Assessment
• Local Government Officials
• Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL)
• Open records, public meetings, and audits
• Organizational and human resource management
• Promoting an environment of communication and teambuilding within an organization
• Promoting a culture rich in diversity

LEAP Activities / Tasks (TBD)

• New / Emerging Leaders
• Experienced / Middle Management Leaders (New / Emerging Leaders Activities +)
• Senior / Top Leaders (Experienced / Middle Management Leaders Activities +)

Time Commitment

LEAP participants will meet 19 times in person throughout the duration of the LEAP Program. (2-3 hours per meeting; 38-57 hours total).   Other correspondence, check-ins, and miscellaneous tasks range from 2-3 hours per month throughout the duration of the program (2-3 hours per month; 18-27 hours).

LEAP participants should expect to spend 2-4 hours a week working independently on assigned projects.

• Project 1 (4 weeks):  2-3 hours per week; 8-12 hours total
• Project 2 (6 weeks):  3-4 hours per week; 18-24 hours total

LEAP participants should expect to spend 1-2 hours a month communicating and meeting with their assigned mentor (1-2 hours per month; 8-16 hours total). 

Total anticipated time commitment is 72-136 hours over the course of nine months (January – September 2020).