| Customs Leadership Institute alumni "on the move"
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In January 2000, the Service began the Customs Leadership Institute (CLI), a yearlong program designed to prepare senior managers to take on increasing responsibility and move into executive positions. The program is presented in partnership with the Columbia University School of Business, which was recently voted the number one executive education provider for the second year in a row by the Financial Times. CLI participants attend eight one-week workshops and work on application assignments and projects throughout the year.What happens to graduates of the CLI once they complete the program?
The CLI Program is not intended to end upon graduation. Participants are expected to continue their own development toward executive positions and to "give something back" to the organization. To help make this happen, Deputy Commissioner Charles W. Winwood approved a proposal for the creation of a CLI Alumni group. The first meeting of the alumni occurred in early May. During the organizing meeting, the CLI Alumni began to identify the types of activities they would undertake. Examples include:- Teach in the Customs leadership courses (Customs Supervisory Seminar, Customs Managers Leadership Course, and other leadership courses being developed).
- Undertake assignments to study organizational issues (both current and future), present ideas, and solve problems.
- Be available to act in vacant management and executive positions.
- Mentor new CLI groups and employees interested in competing for the CLI program.
- Participate on career panels.
- Utilize their office operations as pilot sites for new initiatives; e.g., Succession Management.
- Monitor and support continued leadership development.
- Foster networking opportunities for CLI graduates to share on-the-job experiences.
Where are they now?
There were 16 participants in the inaugural 2000 CLI program. Since being selected for the program, eight participants were promoted (three to the Senior Executive Service) and four made lateral moves to positions of more responsibility. Members of that class have also taken acting positions for various lengths of time to include Acting Assistant Commissioner, OFO; Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner, OTD;and Acting Director, Field Operations, Mid America CMC.; and Acting Port Director, Los Angeles. Within the current (2001) CLI program there have already been several promotions. Of the 18 participants, five have been promoted (one to the Senior Executive Service) and two were selected to positions of greater responsibility. Executive acting assignments have also been completed.The alumni and participants of the Customs Leadership Institute are definitely "on the move"!The 2002 Program
The 2002 CLI Program, scheduled to begin in the second quarter of FY 2002 February 2002, will be announced later this summer soon. The program will be closely tied to the implementation of the new Customs Leadership Succession Management System. To ensure a ready pool of applicants for top Customs positions, selection criteria for entry into the program will be linked to the leadership executive competencies needed for success in top level jobs. In addition, participants will develop and institute leadership development plans to ensure that they maximize their learning both during and after the CLI program. All senior managers aspiring to executive positions should be working with their managers to explore the value of this program in their ongoing development. |
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