June 3, 2025 —
About the Program
Every Coast Guard, and thus DHS, employee has the opportunity to lead, whether by example (such as producing well-planned, high-quality products), or by showing investment in the success of others (such as guiding, mentoring, or project leadership).
To ensure that non-supervisory leaders are supported in maintaining and growing the specific leadership competencies for success (and, for succession), the DHS Leader Efficiency offers two tiers of leader development specifically targeted to non-supervisors:
- Team Members
- Team Leads
Team Members are the most likely to interact with the American public on a daily basis. They lead as subject-matter experts, handle challenges under time pressures, and make critical decisions and judgments each day in an effort to keep the American public safe.
Team Leads guide the work of fellow front-line employees and lead peers through influence without formal supervisory authority. They create a bridge between supervisors and employees ensuring that deliverables align with organizational objectives.
Best Practice Resources
Leader Efficiency must be supported by training and development that focuses on growing managers, strengthening organizational capability and ensuring there are well-prepared and qualified candidates for leadership positions 5 CFR § 412.201.
The Coast Guard has identified the following Best Practices to help achieve this: Learning with Instruction, Learning through Experience and Learning by Leading.
Learn with Instruction
Self-Development and Leadership Training
Self-development programs that build current or future leadership capabilities can bridge gaps in leader development for team members and team leads – and contributes to developing a succession talent pool in the leadership pipeline.
CG OWL
Log in to the CG Online World of Learning (CG OWL) and search for the following courses by name or course number.
Team Member
- Civilian Orientation (502281)
- Foundations Program (Team Members) Core Development Experience Part 1 & 2 (100196)
- Do I Want to Be a Supervisor? (501832)
Team Lead
- Milestone Program (Team Leads) Core Development Experience Part 1 & 2 (100216)
- A Day in the Life of a DHS Supervisor: Understanding the DHS Leadership Commitment (100001)
- Do I Want to Be a Supervisor? (501832)
Self-Paced Courses
Formal Transitional Training Courses
Learn Through Experience
Learning through the experiences of others can be an invaluable way to grow not only leadership skills, but leadership perspectives. Encouraging team members and team leads to conduct informal interviews, shadow a seasoned leader, secure a mentor, or engage in a peer-coaching program helps front-line leaders strengthen competencies and partnership skills, while learning through the perspectives, guidance, and actions of other leaders in real-time.
By completing online coursework, reading, shadowing, mentoring, and informational interviews, employees gain insight into the knowledge and skills required for a successful first-line supervisor who can lead people and drive results.
Connect, network and share with colleagues around the Coast Guard regardless of your geographic location. Choose from several options including 1:1, Communities Marketplace and Civilian Welcome Aboard.
Coaching
- Mentoring Program Coach Bank (Coming Soon!)
Shadowing
Please reach out to the Coast Guard DHS Leader Effectiveness Program Manager for ideas and resources to develop and activate your shadow journey!
Rotations/Details
Learning By Leading
Bolstering learning in real time by taking on an acting role – whether as a supervisor, project lead, or initiative lead – being placed into a leadership role provides a dynamic and sustainable learning experience. Learning about leading is one thing, learning by leading is another. Please reach out to the Coast Guard DHS Leader Effectiveness Program Manager for resources.
Program Manager
Alyssa Lombardi Blase, email Alyssa.J.Lombardi@uscg.mil