Module 1: Leadership and the Local Government Administrator

INTRODUCTION

The scope of practice for Local Government Administrators has expanded significantly in recent years to include significant leadership and management functions. These changes are driven, in part, by financial considerations. Increasing demands on local government arising from aging infrastructure and changing population demographics and taxation bases are also important factors. These changes, in turn, have significant implications for training new Local Government Administrators and for their continuing professional development.

While some administrators may become concerned when asked to take on leadership roles at work, the reality is that most people are already involved in activities that have formal and informal leadership responsibilities at home, in the community, and/or in the workplace - they just don't think of them as "leadership" roles. By analyzing and characterizing these everyday activities in terms of leadership roles, responsibilities and behaviours, Local Government Administrators can begin to prepare themselves more explicitly for formal and informal leadership roles.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe five ways in which the roles and relationships of Local Government Administrators have been changing in recent years
2. Outline the impact the changing roles and responsibilities of Local Government Administrators are having on the their need for leadership skills
3. Differentiate between the terms "leadership" and "management"
4. Explain the difference between "formal" and "informal" leaders
5. Identify formal leadership roles in community and work environments
6. Identify informal leadership roles in community and work environments
7. Identify and describe a formal leadership role that the learner has held in the community or in their workplace
8. Identify and describe an informal leadership role that the learner has taken on in the community or in their workplace
9. Explain how taking on minor formal and informal leadership roles can help to advance a person's personal and professional career aspirations
10. Apply leadership concepts covered in this module in the planning stage of a leadership initiative.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Review Key Concepts and Study Notes.
   
2. Complete the Self Assessment Exercise on Leadership Characteristics and Skills.
   
3. Read and Make Notes on the Recommended Readings and Internet Resources and any other useful resources you can locate.
4. Complete the Self Test on Leadership and the Local Government Administrator.
5. Begin working on Assignment #1. (Due date: dd/mm)
6. Begin planning for Major Project - Final Course Assignment. (Due date: dd/mm)

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Discussion Board Posting
2. Learning Journal (You may need to click this link twice to download this Word document)
3. Assignment #1 (Due date: dd/mm)
4. Major Project - Final Course Assignment (Due date: dd/mm)

KEY TERMS