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Governor Parson announces new management program for state leaders

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of The Missouri Way management training program.

Throughout the program, leaders from the State of Missouri’s 16 executive departments will develop their management skills to better lead change and improve service for the citizens of Missouri. The State of Missouri has never before had such a statewide cross-department leadership development program.

“The citizens of Missouri expect their government to perform well for them every day. They expect us to deliver results on the most important issues facing our state, like workforce development and infrastructure,” said Gov. Parson. “We know we need to get better. That means making sure our state leaders have the skills they need to best serve our citizens. I am proud that we are starting The Missouri Way program to do just that.”

Gov. Parson welcomed participants of the first The Missouri Way training at its kick-off this morning. The first training will continue Wednesday and conclude Thursday evening.

“Our back-to-basics management agenda is all about improving our government for our citizens. No organization can improve without strong, skilled leaders,” said Drew Erdmann, Chief Operating Officer of the State of Missouri and leader of The Missouri Way program. “The Missouri Way program is designed to help equip our leaders with the management skills they need to drive deep, sustained change. The State has never before had such a cross-department program. It’s time.”

The Missouri Way is an intensive three-day training program designed to introduce senior leaders, managers, supervisor, and other emerging leaders the tools and approaches of solving basic management challenges and improving their teams’ performance.

The Missouri Way’s approach is practical and based upon proven principles from high-performing businesses and other government organizations. The curriculum will provide common approaches, tools, and vocabulary in areas ranging from how to manage change within an organization and redesigning business processes to customer experience and project management. The sessions involve a mix of classroom instruction with individual and group exercises.

“We are transforming the Department of Corrections,” said Anne Precythe, Director of the Department of Corrections. “The Missouri Way program will help my leadership team expand their skills and tools and take these changes to the next level.”

“Our citizens expect us to be as responsive and reliable as any other organization they deal with,” said Carol Comer, Director of the Department of Natural Resources. “Our leadership team is doing the program together to help us accelerate improvements in the Department of Natural Resources.”

The Missouri Way program is an important component of the state’s management transformation. The State of Missouri will hold the program approximately every 90 days, and it will be a regular part of leadership development in state government. Participants are identified by department leaders. The program’s first classes will include each department’s top leadership ranks. The State’s goal is to train 1,000 managers in The Missouri Way by the end of 2019.

Approximately 130 supervisors, managers, and leaders from across the 16 executive departments participated in The Missouri Way training program this week. Future training sessions are expected to bring together about 150 participants each.

“The Missouri Way program is yet another tangible example of how we are investing in our people as never before,” said Sarah Steelman, Commissioner of the Office of Administration.

Find more information about The Missouri Way program on its website: missouriway.mo.gov.