PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE®

We develop effective government leaders

Our world-class training programs support all government leaders—from aspiring supervisors to senior executives and political appointees. For more than a decade, our programs have helped public service leaders strengthen their organizations and serve as stewards of public trust. 

Who We Are

The Partnership’s Public Service Leadership Institute® is the preeminent source of public service leadership programs, policies and perspectives. At the Institute, we envision dynamic and innovative government that meets the needs of all communities across the country. To realize this vision, the Institute seeks to develop public service leaders of integrity at the state and local levels who effectively serve our nation.

 

What We Do

State and local government leaders, who already shoulder vast responsibility, are increasingly being called upon to meet the needs of the public. In this moment, it is especially important that leaders recommit to public service values and to strengthening their leadership skills. The Partnership for Public Service is here to support state and local governments, which are integral to our democracy, so they can better serve their constituents.

 

The Institute has a long-standing track record of helping leaders at all levels of the workforce hone the skills unique to leading in government. We recognize that good leaders are fundamental to government’s ability to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. In a world of complex problems, effective public service leaders spark innovation and drive change, act as stewards of vital public resources and enable employee success, ensuring that government organizations across the U.S. meet the needs of those they serve. 

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🚀 Leadership Training

We offer leadership development programs for government leaders at all levels and areas of expertise. We also have tailored government solutions for teams and leaders that range from off-the-shelf training to fully customized programs.

Featured Leadership Programs:
  • Gov21: 21st Century Government Innovation Program
  • AI Government Leadership Program
  • Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program
  • Leadership Excellence for Acquisition Professionals
  • Preparing to Lead

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🖥️ eLearning Programs

Our eLearning platform combines the Partnership’s more than two-decade history supporting public servants with practical content that includes best-in-class adult learning—and specifically online learning—methodologies. 

Featured eLearning Programs:
  • Managing Change in the Moment
  • From Strategy to Action: Unlocking Employee Engagement in the Public Sector
  • Effective Practices for Intern Recruitment, Onboarding and Development
  • Leading with Your Values

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💼 Intern and Early-Career Talent Programming

We offer services to support government agencies, job seekers and institutions of higher education with programming, resources and opportunities that open doors to public service and strengthen talent pipelines with mission-driven applicants.

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🔎 Talent Acquisition

The Partnership works with agencies to develop custom programs ranging from half-day workshops to months-long engagements that meet specific sourcing, recruiting and hiring needs. Our approach draws on our experiences working with multiple agencies and hundreds of leaders across government.

Featured Leadership Programs:
  • Gov21: 21st Century Government Innovation Program
  • AI Government Leadership Program
  • Foundations in Public Service Leadership Program
  • Leadership Excellence for Acquisition Professionals
  • Preparing to Lead

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🤝 Employee Engagement Services

We offer several types of services to help agencies engage their employees more effectively. We use quantitative and qualitative data to facilitate conversations that drive teams to action and work with leaders to establish norms and accountability mechanisms that ensure their plans are implemented.

Featured eLearning Programs:
  • Managing Change in the Moment
  • From Strategy to Action: Unlocking Employee Engagement in the Public Sector
  • Effective Practices for Intern Recruitment, Onboarding and Development
  • Leading with Your Values

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🏛️ Government Solutions

Our customized and off-the-shelf trainings designed by subject matter experts help government offices achieve their distinct missions, address unique challenges and strengthen leadership and other interpersonal skills. 

Conference Details:
  • When: Sept. 16-18, 2025
  • Where: Partnership headquarters in Washington, D.C., or virtual via Airmeet
  • Conference Tracks: Back to Basics, Workforce Effectiveness, Tech and Data

Thought Leadership & Publications

Lauren Anstey
May 22, 2025

"A model to strengthen leadership in state and local government"

Hear from our Vice President of Public Service Leadership, Lauren Anstey, about how our Public Service Leadership Model provides a roadmap to both strengthen the skills and commit to the values that leaders need to tackle the unique challenges they face in state and local government.

Blog

Kelly Shih
Aug 21, 2025

"Building resilient teams to navigate uncertainty"

Our Strategy Lead Kelly Shih’s Guest Column for Barrett and Greene Inc. highlights practical tools state and local leaders can use to build resilient teams that thrive amid uncertainty. With tangible tips for cultivating these principles, Shih doesn't just discuss theory but provides actionable strategies for leaders to start implementing today. 

Guest Column

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Evy Vannoy, Kelly Shih, Juliana Gutierrez
Sep 10, 2025

"Leveraging responsible AI in state government with Zen Van Loan"

Meet Zen Van Loan, a trailblazer in the responsible use of AI and a public servant from the Texas Workforce Commission. We spoke with her about innovating in the public sector, leveraging AI in a government context and the importance of continuous learning.  

Blog

Kelly Shih
Oct 10, 2025

"Ready Position: Developing Personal Leadership Resilience To Navigate Uncertainty"

What do tennis and leadership resilience have in common? Find out in this new piece for the American Society for Public Administration by our own Kelly Shih explaining how our Public Service Leadership Model's "Becoming Self-Aware" competency is key both for mental toughness in sports and leading through uncertainty at work.

Guest Column

MeghanMarie Fowler-Finn
Jul 23, 2025

"Seizing new opportunities to lead change amid turmoil and uncertainty in the public sector"

If you’re navigating instability, read this blog for five practical ways to use the Leading Change competency to influence and create impact—even in the most challenging environments. 

Blog

David Brownstein
Sep 8, 2025

"Using our Public Service Leadership Model to become a better supervisor"

More often than not, supervising is the hardest skill to develop in your next career phase. This blog offers four tips to elevate your supervision style and empower your direct reports.

Blog

Virginia Hill
May 22, 2025

"How leaders can get comfortable with accountability"

When teams feel ownership, they go the extra mile. In this blog learn how to shift your team from a culture of blame to a culture of shared responsibility.  

Blog

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A model to strengthen leadership in state and local government

Hear from our Vice President of Public Service Leadership, Lauren Anstey, about how our Public Service Leadership Model provides a roadmap to both strengthen the skills and commit to the values that leaders need to tackle the unique challenges they face in state and local government. 

Interested in our programs? Let's get in touch!

Connect with us today for more information about our leadership development programs and other offerings for government employees.