Many qualities come to mind when thinking of what makes a great leader. Decision-making skills, the ability to communicate, and the art of making complex problems solvable with strategic solutions, all while coordinating multiple people of varying competence levels, are must-haves when defining a leader. However, these beg the question; how does one acquire these traits if one desires to lead others one day?
South Carolina’s State Government formed the Certified Public Manager program (CPM) to answer that question. Designed for state government employees seeking leadership positions, the CPM program is an 18-month intensive that takes participants through various courses and experiences designed to develop leadership skills, help them learn human behavior, and navigate complex group dynamics
Every year, the different departments in the state government have a chance to select a limited number of participants that they believe have leadership potential. Between all state departments, 60 to 65 candidates are chosen to participate in the program. The program will include lots of discussion and coursework, but talking about leadership can only go so far. Potential leaders need to touch and feel what it’s like having to lead other people, and that’s where Connie Maxwell comes in.
Each year, the CPM program turns over all participants to Connie Maxwell for a day and a half of hands-on team-building exercises. Heading up this time of training is Tim Duncan, Connie Maxwell’s Vice President for Programs and Services, who is passionate about seeing these participants experience situations where leadership skills must be developed and implemented. Participants spend a lot of time on campus at Maxwell Farms, where they go through the Ropes Course, a network of complex obstacles where participants must combine several skills to navigate them effectively. Here, they divide into teams, and each unit has no choice but to maintain strong communication and personal skills as they must work together to figure out the obstacles. Duncan explains, “It’s not about giving someone a task. It’s how you give them the task, show appreciation, and give guidance throughout the process.”
This is undoubtedly the case at the Ropes Course. Team leaders can’t just shout commands of what they think is best; they have to identify who is good at what, divide their team accordingly, and bring all the team together to navigate the course. Ultimately, every participant comes out with more practical leadership skills than they went in with. For hosting the State CPM program participants and dedicating time and resources to this day and a half of training, Connie Maxwell does not ask for monetary payment. Instead, two Connie Maxwell employees are given a scholarship each year to complete the program and receive this nationally recognized certification. Furthermore, this program allows Connie Maxwell to bring awareness and develop relationships with future leaders at all levels of South Carolina’s state government. In all, Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries is proud to support the development of leaders in South Carolina’s State Government, all while also ensuring that our own leaders are advanced in their skills and our government officials are made personally aware of the high level of care and ministry that we provide to vulnerable children.
