Albuquerque’s cross sector leadership featured nationally
“Cross sector leadership is not rocket science. It is about building teams, solving problems and achieving impact, which are familiar concepts for many people. What makes it different is doing it in an environment without established structures of authority or accountability, and applying it to the types of complex problems that cannot be solved by a single organization or sector alone.” Alison Gold, Manager of Leadership Education, Presidio Institute at Presidio Trust
You know how they say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?” Well, if the Albuquerque Living Cities Integration Initiative were a human, she’d be blushing. Few know this, but last year Albuquerque Living Cities’ work was featured as a case study in a national course called Introduction to Cross Sector Leadership. The course, offered by the prestigious Presidio Institute on their online learning platform leaderosity.com, involves professionals from across the country and across sectors. Presidio Institute seeks to build the capacity of individuals, teams and the field-at-large to collaborate across sectors in service of solving some of the toughest social, economic and environmental problems we face in the world today.
Albuquerque debuted as a case study in December ’15 to provide course participants with an opportunity to apply the concepts they were learning to a real world cross sector leadership case study. During the first four weeks of the course participants were introduced to frameworks and concepts like developing trust, managing power dynamics and conflict and fostering an innovation culture. The last weeks were spent on a case study. The Manager of Leadership Education at Presidio Institute, Alison Gold who was previously on staff at Living Cities, chose Albuquerque because she believes our Integration Initiative exhibits compelling and challenging opportunities for leaders to cut their teeth. On a recent phone interview Alison said, “The nature of the work in Albuquerque wowed participants. It was clear that this is big and hairy and complex.” Albuquerque’s unique history, multicultural population and socio-economic realities require deep thought and well developed cross sector skills. Robin Brule and Frank Mirabal both participated in a live, online discussion with participants as the course came to a close. They shared approaches to Albuquerque’s Integration Initiative, answered questions, challenged assumptions and worked though what cross sector leadership looks and feels like in the real world.
The course resulted in mutually beneficial learning. Alison reflected, “This was a great way to highlight the expertise and learnings from Albuquerque and also a great way to get fresh eyes on the challenges faced.” Indeed, real world projects unleash creativity that might inspire us to new unexpected solutions.
CONNECT THE DOTS
COMMONALITIES with the Albuquerque Integration Initiative: Developing leaders who can stand up to the tests of our times
OPPORTUNITY: Curious about developing your skills in cross sector leadership? Learn more about the Presidio Institute and its online courses at presidiotrust.gov/institute and leaderosity.com
