What are the Foundation Series courses?

The Montana Grown Leadership Academy (MGLA) Foundation Series is a comprehensive leadership development program designed specifically for Montana's local government professionals. These one-day, in-person courses help current and emerging leaders build the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to effectively lead teams, support employees, and serve their communities.

Each Foundation Series course features six to seven interactive learning sessions that combine practical leadership concepts with real-world application. Participants engage in discussions, activities, and exercises focused on leadership and management, team development, communication, human resources, and local government operations. Rather than emphasizing theory alone, the courses provide actionable tools that participants can immediately apply in their workplaces.

The Foundation Series consists of four distinct courses that rotate over a two-year cycle, allowing participants to develop a broad and well-rounded leadership skillset. Course topics include emotional intelligence, workplace culture, accountability, critical thinking, trust-building, employee engagement, communication, ethics, project management, public service values, and key human resources considerations relevant to local government supervisors.

The program is designed to benefit leaders at every stage of their careers. New supervisors gain foundational skills and practical guidance for navigating leadership responsibilities, while experienced department heads and managers have opportunities to strengthen existing skills, explore new perspectives, and refine their leadership approaches.

Participants can expect to strengthen their leadership and management capabilities, enhance emotional intelligence, improve communication and team-building skills, and expand their understanding of human resources and local government operations. These benefits extend beyond the individual participant; organizations that invest in leadership development often experience improved performance, increased employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, stronger workplace culture, and greater trust from the communities they serve.

Foundation Series courses are offered as single-day events, typically running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The registration fee includes training materials, lunch, and refreshments. By providing practical, accessible, and locally relevant leadership development, the Foundation Series helps cultivate skilled supervisors and leaders who can meet the evolving needs of Montana's local governments.