The School of Federal Leadership Excellence (SoFLE)

The School of Federal Leadership Excellence (SoFLE) is Management Concepts’ solution designed to support the personal and professional growth of federal leaders throughout their leadership journeys.

Learners in SoFLE programs enjoy a host of benefits. Leveraging Management Concepts’ expertise, infrastructure, technology solutions, partnerships, and cutting-edge tools, our approach includes curated learning experiences such as mentorships, action learning projects, community service initiatives, and exposure to thought leaders in the field.

Programs within the SoFLE are cohort-based, emphasizing a holistic approach to individual development through social learning. The programs also focus on grade-appropriate leadership strategies, self-improvement skills, and guided practice—all while addressing agencies’ most pressing challenges.

Additionally, our programs foster a practical learning environment, intentionally building a community of learners and leveraging networking opportunities. Academic and industry thought leader insights are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum, providing participants with experiences that encompass leadership as well as technical topics and agency-specific business acumen. Led by experts from various domains, each program follows a structured format to ensure a rich variety of learning experiences.

Structured to be experiential and revelatory, our learning paths are journey-oriented, ensuring learners not only acquire knowledge but also find relevance and personal resonance in their learning experiences. This approach increases the likelihood of retention and application of skills beyond immediate professional roles.

By learning with other leaders as a team, SoFLE promotes a core tenet of success in leadership: teamwork. The collegial environment of a cohort creates a more immersive experience that allows leaders to develop stronger communication and collaboration skills as they work in teams — just as they will in their professional careers.

Our programs include in-class team activities, professional networking opportunities, and membership in a community of practice forum. By connecting leaders to each other through a robust, experiential learning program, leaders start building the career relationships they need for enduring success.

All SoFLE programs are developed to fully align with the OPM Fundamental and Supervisor Competencies, ECQs, along with the DoD Civilian Leader Development Continuum and DoD Civilian Leader Framework.  All leaders may be assured the learning they’ve enrolled in is completely aligned with the competencies they’re expected to demonstrate.  If you need more details about content alignment, call 800.506.4450.   

SoFLE programs are Higher-Touch using High-Tech.  There is more direct instruction and facilitation using our robust delivery systems.  The amount of direct contact hours (i.e., in-classroom and vILT with facilitator) is much higher than other LDPs.  So, while the average amount of active learner time may seem high, learners benefit from this higher quality experience than the more ‘self-paced, learn on your own’ style.

• The MLE program takes 15 weeks, with a weekly time commitment of about an average of 12 hours per week. Depending on the week’s activities, the hours could be as few as 4 or up to 3 full days for the in-person kickoff week.
  • MLE also features 2 in-classroom sessions, spanning three and two days respectively.
• The NSI program spans 12 weeks, with a weekly time commitment of an average of 12 hours per week. Depending on the week’s activities, the hours could be as few as 4 or up to 3 full days for some live sessions.
  • NSI also features 2 in-classroom sessions, each spanning 3 days.
• In addition to in-classroom sessions, both programs offer vILT sessions, specially designed to provide a variety of classroom-type activities, hosted in Adobe Connect.
• Your Facilitator & Coach will hold virtual office hours, where you can seek additional, personalized guidance around the different content areas.

SoFLE’s programs are available for private group training only. To learn more about pricing for each of our offerings, please call our sales team at: 800.506.4450.

The minimum number of learners for a program cohort is 15 (fifteen) with a maximum number of 24 learners. Any more than 24 learners will compromise the quality of the learning experience.

Agencies enjoy several benefits by partnering with Management Concepts. As a long-time training provider for the federal government, we understand the unique nature of how federal agencies get their work done. Additionally, agencies will find that the programs quickly equip learners with immediate, practical tools on how to become better versions of themselves as leaders. When leaders are confident, competent, and compassionate, they expand their impact in their agencies as well as in their communities.

SoFLE programs benefit leaders by providing cohort-based journeys that promote self-awareness and skill enhancement. Leaders gain a multi-disciplinary strategic perspective and take ownership of their career paths, fostering personal and professional growth.

SoFLE offers individualized support to address the unique needs of each learner. This support includes assessments, personalized 1:1 coaching sessions, and tools for supervisory support and action planning. Learners can regularly meet with facilitators and coaches to address workplace queries and solve their agency’s most pressing challenges. Additionally, their managers receive updates on their course progress and coaching tips to enhance workplace support. The program also provides job aids, templates, and tools to reinforce learning while on the job.

Support varies across programs and may include feedback from facilitators, program sponsors, mentors, executive coaches, and peer coaches.

Yes, both NSI and MLE programs feature elements that are specifically designed to address both the individual learner and the individual agency cohort’s challenges. These program elements are where Management Concepts customizes the program to address the learner’s and agency’s needs.

Agency Level — Action Learning Project

Throughout the program, learners will focus on an agency-specific issue, chosen in collaboration with the agency’s program sponsor. Using the Action Learning methodology, learners will actively engage with the agency-specific issue under the guidance of a certified Action Learning Coach. This project will culminate in a final presentation back to the agency’s program sponsor, featuring the cohort’s findings and recommendations.

Agency or Individual Level — Service Project

Depending on the agency’s preferences and policies, the cohort or individual learners choose a service project. The service activity aims to reinforce leadership skills for individual learners as well as provide an agency-wide perspective on leadership. It’s important to note that the service project, whether chosen by the agency or individual, must be compliant with the agency’s guidelines and OPM’s policies.

Individual Level — Independent Research Assignment (IRA)

Each learner selects a thought leader, and conducts research into their methodologies, teachings, and messages. This involves reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and watching videos and recorded presentations. The insights gained from this research contribute to the IRA and offer the learner valuable opportunities to apply their findings in both their professional and personal lives. At the end of the program, learners will craft a paper based on their research findings, which they will present to conclude the program. The lessons learned from the IRA will also inform the agency-specific Action Learning Project.

NSI features the following learner and agency-selected or customized program elements:

• Independent Research Assignment
• Action Learning Project

MLE features the following learner and agency-selected or customized program elements:

• Action Learning Project
• Service Project
• Independent Research Assignment

SoFLE programs primarily use Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) sessions—supplemented by asynchronous online activities on our Management Concepts Learning Hub—for assessments, discussions, videos, and homework. Programs also feature in-classroom sessions ranging from 2–3 days in length. Each program differs in the type and combination of delivery methodologies. Given how busy learners are in their day-to-day activities, course content is delivered in manageable, bite-sized chunks.

Agencies can have the in-classroom sessions delivered at their location of choice, or the Management Concepts Washington, D.C. facility.

Our programs include in-class team activities, professional networking opportunities, and membership in a community of practice forum. By connecting leaders to each other through a robust, experiential learning program, leaders start building the career relationships they need for enduring success.

No, NSI and MLE are not residential programs. While each program includes multi-day in-classroom sessions, there is no expectation that learners stay in the same location. As these programs are designed for federal employees, all room and board arrangements are to be handled by the learner/agency. For any cohorts that select Management Concepts’ Washington, D.C., classrooms for in-classroom sessions, we would be happy to provide suggestions for nearby hotels, restaurants, and local transportation.

If you anticipate missing a class, we recommend discussing your situation with your facilitator beforehand to determine the most suitable course of action. Your facilitator can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. All vILT sessions will be recorded.

After an agency has purchased a full cohort to NSI or MLE, learners will need to apply to the program by submitting the following documents to their agency sponsor.

1. A learner application essay (details to be determined by your agency sponsor)
2. A letter of recommendation from your supervisor
3. A letter of commitment from you and your supervisor

Your agency sponsor can help you with the details for this process.

There are no prerequisites for NSI as long as the learner has applied, and been accepted, to the program within the application deadline.

The MLE program assumes 3–5 years of management experience and completion of an in-agency Leadership Development Program (LDP) or federally focused leadership certificate program. It is recommended for high-potential managers in the GS-13 to GS-15 levels.

All assessments are administered virtually, online.