Program

Significant technological progress combined with an increased understanding of human performance are changing how we approach learning and talent development. These advancements have helped us realize the promise of “anytime, anywhere” learning as well as learning personalized to individual needs. The ADL Initiative, a U.S. government research program, has recently completed a multiyear study on the future of learning and developed an implementation blueprint for connecting lifelong learning experiences across time, location, purpose, and context. This co-created plan responds to external demands such as the pace of global change and increased need for technical expertise, and it simultaneously considers emerging capabilities, including advancements in AI and neuroscience. The resulting concept, referred to as the “future learning ecosystem,” promises to substantively change the way we learn, moving away from old models of disconnected, disjointed experiences to a connected continuum of lifelong learning, personalized, driven by data, and delivered across diverse locations, media, and periods of time. How do we harness this new power to modernize learning as we know it?

In this presentation, we will discuss the rationale and influences driving this radical shift in learning from external demands, such as the pace of global change and increased need for technical expertise, to the promise offered by emerging capabilities, including advancements in AI and neuroscience. You will learn about the relevant strategic goals and corresponding case studies from business, academia, and government, and we'll discuss specific steps needed in technology, learning science, policy, organizational dynamics, and other supporting structures to realize this vision. Finally, you will take away several practical actions to leverage these advancements to modernize your own learning and development systems—whether in K–12, industry, academia, or government sectors.

You will learn:

• About future trends, learning science and technology trends, and change drivers
• About recommendations for evolving talent development enterprises for the future
• How to take a data-driven approach to learning and development
• How to improve your own learning and development offerings using research-based recommendations

This panel of experts will discuss various topics that relate to the future of the government workforce. This panel will discuss: succession planning, RPA, the impact of technology, teleworking, and knowledge transfer.

This panel of experts will discuss their thoughts about identifying the intrinsic factors that empower employees to give it their all within the public workplace. Join the conversation as the panel covers topics like accountability and the importance of connection within the workplace.

Trends in human capital show many paradoxes at work. People want to belong while also being treated as individuals. They want security when constant reskilling is needed. We will explore how learning leaders can navigate through these challenges to build resilient agencies and people.
In this session, you will:

• List the top human capital issues in government
• Describe three bold shifts that organizations are taking
• Describe ways that learning leaders can help build resiliency.

This panel of experts will discuss the importance of standardizing what it means to be a leader within the public sector. They will also discuss existing best practices across different agencies as well as opportunities for improvement.

This panel of experts will discuss the changing landscape of government leadership and why it is important to ensure diversity among the top ranks. Join the conversation as the panel covers topics regarding equitable staffing and programs on inclusion.

Leading in the public service is difficult enough. Few resources, no time, multiple layers of oversight, and a volatile environment. Our single most effective means to achieve agency success lies not in detailed strategic planning or flawlessly executed programs, rather in the environments we create as leaders. Kindness is simple. It is an intentional act that inspires drive and commitment among those on the receiving end. Its positive impact on department mission and the people who deliver it is well-established, allowing for greater contributions in an impersonal world often marked by cynicism and doubt.

This session focuses on understanding how the concepts of kindness and gratitude can be used to harness our own intellectual and emotional skills to build better relationships and stimulate individuals and teams to serve our public more effectively.

The Defense Acquisition University, as a whole, is going through a fundamental change. The armed forces have always been in a dynamic environment where earning was always an ongoing evolution even before the pandemic. During this session, you will hear from DAU president, Jim Woolsey and DAU vice president, (ret) Brigadier General Frank Kelley, about how DAU has adapted over the last few months and what it's doing to "thriving in the new world." Jim and Frank will discuss details about this transformation and how they redefined the concept of "thriving."

Keynotes: Jim Woolsey and Frank Kelley

This panel of experts will discuss the effectiveness of formal and informal mentoring and coaching programs within various government agencies. Join the conversation as the panel uncovers key strategies and tactics for making these programs work.

This panel of experts will discuss the importance of building programs focused on developing the skills of people managers within the public sector. The panelists will discuss the best practices that they have experienced within their own agencies as well as across the rest of the federal government.

When something goes wrong and we turn the other way or rationalize it won’t matter in six months, we are giving in to the big temptation to just do nothing. However, we are all learning that we can’t ignore the major changes that are happening in our world today, the pandemic leading the way. We no longer have a choice to avoid or walk away. It might have worked before and we were still successful, but now we have to lead through this crisis and prepare for the next one. Our worlds will forever be changed. This is hard and requires a resilient. Confronting reality head on is our only real solution.

In this session, Angela will share real-life stories of leaders she’s coached during this pandemic, as well as strategies for maintaining resiliency in the time of crisis. You will learn to:

• Build your tolerance for pain
• Defining your values
• Recognize helpful techniques for “survival” in crisis leadership

This session will feature the director of the Yale Center for Emotional intelligence, Dr. Marc Brackett, as he shares proven techniques to help you cope during this time of uncertainty. Combining science, storytelling, and decades of experience, Dr. Brackett will offer innovative strategies to help you regulate the powerful emotions that we're feeling during this COVID era.

2020 has been a year like no other as we attempt to recover and rebuild the foundations of our organizations. The steps we take WILL NOT be “business as usual” as we accept the challenge of seeking out solutions that will guide us into the “what’s next” phase for our workforce. Strategic Thought Leaders from American Public University’s School of Business provide insight and recommendations on how we take the first step in redesigning the infrastructure. Time to transition!

How do you decide what learning solution will be most effective for your organization? Understanding your learning ecosystem is the first step in developing training that yields great results. In this session, you will:

• Identify what factors influence the learning solution you deploy
• Define your training need and desired results
• Examine delivery options