DHHS Steering Committee Looks for Future Leaders

Given the probability that a number of mid- and high-level managers within the Department will be retiring in the next 5 to 10 years, there is great necessity in planning for these positions to be filled with competent and qualified staff. In December 2004, representatives from every agency in the Department met and attended a one-and-a-half- day workshop to discuss the issue of succession planning. As a result of the workshop, a steering committee, composed of representatives from various agencies within the Department, was formed to look at succession planning and identify critical human resource needs to ensure that a qualified internal pool of candidates exists to fulfill those needs. Early on, the steering committee chose the acronym “IDEA” to best define its objectives:

• Identify the best internal candidates for each position;
• Develop potential successors in ways that best fit their strengths;
• Energize everyone to create a more dynamic environment for change where personal growth is tied to the objectives of the organization; and
• Accelerate our efforts to provide outstanding service to the public.

One of the first efforts of the steering committee is the formation of “Leadership DHHS.” Participants in “Leadership DHHS” will attend a series of presentations from current leaders within the Department as well as elsewhere in state government and perhaps the private sector. Each presentation will be followed by discussion and questions and answers to allow participants to relate their own experiences on the topic. Participants will also work in teams on particular challenges or problem areas to develop solutions and recommendations. Through these sessions, participants will learn more about their own leadership styles and capabilities and those of others. The class is expected to be offered on an annual or semi-annual basis to Departmental employees seeking to become tomorrow’s leaders. Information about the nomination/application process will soon be available.

While “Leadership DHHS” is just a start, the steering committee will continue to meet monthly to look at more IDEAs to address Departmental human resource and leadership needs now and in the future. Please share your ideas and suggestions with the following members of the steering committee: Linda Povlich, DHHS Office of the Secretary; Kathy Gruer, DHHS Human Resources; Sandra Trivett, DHHS Office of Policy and Planning; Libby Robb, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services; Mark Prakke, Division of Information Resource Management; Jeff Horton, Division of Facility Services; Steve Hairston, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services; or Dwight Pearson, Office of Education Services.

Next story

Last Modified: September 30, 2005