Overview

Challenge yourself to excel in a 21st-century world while remaining 

connected to constitutional values. In our renowned Leadership for a 

Democratic Society (LDS) program, you’ll build an enduring foundation 

for your personal and professional growth journey, preparing you for 

the complex leadership challenges of today – and tomorrow.

Through a combination of group sessions and small teams, you’ll 

engage with peers to gain a better understanding of how the U.S. 

Constitution impacts your leadership role. Using new research and 

case studies, our experienced, credentialed faculty will guide you in 

understanding the diverse goals of government and the citizens it 

serves, all with a focus on OPM's Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). 

Who Should Attend

•	 Senior Executive Service members, GS-15 employees, and

equivalents in other pay systems (including military services).

•	 On a limited basis, GS-14 employees and equivalents

in other pay systems with executive-level duties

may be approved for a grade waiver.

Leadership for a Democratic Society

Embark on a life-empowering and career-strengthening leadership journey.

Executive Leadership Program

Target Grades

GS-15+

Locations

Online or Charlottesville, VA

Duration

160 hours

Tuition

$18,000 - $22,500

Register Today >

www.opm.gov/LDS

Core Competencies

• Leading Change

• Leading People

• Results Driven

• Business Acumen

• Building Coalitions 

Locations and Formats

Online: $18,000

Two weeks virtual instruction 

followed by an intersession and 

two weeks virtual instruction. 

Charlottesville, VA: $22,500*

Residential: Four consecutive 

weeks of instruction at the Federal 

Executive Institute (FEI).

Applied: Two weeks of instruction 

at FEI, followed by an intersession 

and two weeks of in-residence 

instruction. 

*includes meals and lodging
Why Choose OPM?

For over 50 years, OPM’s Center 

for Leadership Development 

has developed visionary leaders 

to transform government. 

Our programs, services, and 

technologies help transform 

people and organizations, focusing 

on contemporary challenges 

through the lens of government. 

We are the only Federal program 

uniquely designed and focused 

on providing individuals and 

agencies with a path to career and 

organizational success built upon 

OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications

(ECQs) and competencies. 

Discover how our innovative 

learning solutions transform 

today’s employees into tomorrow’s 

leaders at www.opm.gov/CLD. 

What You’ll Get 

Flexible formats.

Our online and in-residence format options connect and engage you in an 

unmatched learning experience. The intersession periods in the virtual and 

applied formats give you a chance to apply what you learned back at your 

agency, promoting a deeper understanding and application of leadership.

Personalized, holistic learning.

You choose electives and field experiences based on specific growth areas. 

Through our integrated wellness program, you’ll get individualized guidance 

and tools from wellness professionals to improve resiliency, mental and physical 

performance, and work-life balance.

Increased self-awareness. 

Discover how your values and experiences influence success as a leader. 

You’ll participate in an integrated mix of readings, assessments, discussions, 

assignments, and individual presentations to develop stronger self-awareness.

Expanded professional networks.

Become part of a learning community and harness the diverse talents and 

resources found within public servants like you. Our program leverages your 

expertise and experience, along with peers and faculty, where everyone is both a 

teacher and a learner. 

Actionable plans.

You’ll create an individual change plan to improve your leadership knowledge, 

skills, and behavior. You’ll also create an organizational change plan that turns 

knowledge into action with strategies that align with your agency’s vision.

Sample Schedule and Topics

The curriculum focuses on three crucial areas for effective leadership: vision, alignment, and execution. Content and topics focus on 

leadership development, which moves outward from personal to interpersonal/team leadership, then to the organization and enterprise 

levels. The wellness program is integrated across all four weeks, and you’ll receive follow-on executive coaching after graduation. 

Week 1 - Personal Week 3 - Organizational Week 4 - Enterprise

Self-Awareness

Values

Public Service

Health and Wellness

Peer Coaching Skills

Week 2 - Interpersonal/Team

Crafting and Communicating a Vision

Transforming Individuals

Embracing Difficult Conversations 

Becoming an Inclusive Republic

Resilience

Building Alignment 

Transforming Organizations 

Leading in Complexity

Adaptive Leadership

Strategic Thinking and Planning

Championing Execution

Building Coalitions

Political Savvy

Conflict Management

Action-Learning Project

Questions?

OPM’s Federal Executive 

Institute 

434-980-6232

Register@opm.gov

www.opm.gov/FEI

“Thank you for an eye-opening and extremely 

beneficial four weeks of real, life-changing 

information and engagement.”

- Pete, LDS graduate