COURSE OVERVIEW
The Department of Homeland Security, in
partnership with the Council for Excellence in
Government, is pleased to announce the 2009 De-
partment of Homeland Security (DHS) Fellows
Program. The program begins March 17, 2009.
The DHS Fellows Leadership Program is a
transformational experience with a unique
concentration on leadership and management
challenges specific to the Department of
Homeland Security. The program develops,
motivates and energizes collaborative,
accountable, results-oriented career leaders.
This leadership program focuses on collaboration
across DHS components, a common, compelling
vision, unified operations, high-performing teams
and results for the American people.
TIMELINE:
The DHS Fellows Program will allow participants to remain on the job during program. DHS Fellows
dedicate 2-3 days every six weeks to the program as well as participate in a 60 day rotational assignment
within DHS. This will allow DHS Fellows the on-going opportunity to practice new leadership ap-
proaches and skills. In addition, the team results projects will deliver value to the Department of Home-
land Security throughout the year.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL
The DHS Fellows program is administered by the
nonprofit and nonpartisan Council for Excellence in
Government which works to improve the
performance of government, as well as, citizen’s
participation, understanding and trust in government.
Since 1988, the Council’s Excellence in Government
Programs has graduated an elite group of more than
2700 public sector leaders who are making a real and
significant impact—achieving results for the
American people.
“...the best performance-based leadership development
program outside the business world.”
Annie E. Casey Foundation
The DHS Fellows Program…
• Targets GS-14s, 15s and exceptional 13s in
individual cohorts of 25;
• Focuses on developing leadership through
individual and team coaching, practical and
experiential learning, and structured practice and
feedback;
• Benchmarks and assesses successful and
innovative organizations and leaders in the
public and private sectors;
• Organizes team results projects to translate
learning into action and measurable outcomes in
real time; and
• Builds an ongoing cross-component network of
DHS career leaders.
CORE ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM
Individual and Team Coaching
Coaching, rather than teaching, is the approach
the Council uses to engage DHS Fellows on both
personal and organizational levels. The coaching
involves techniques including effective
questioning, on-going feedback and motivation.
Team coaching will supplement individual coach-
ing sessions throughout the year.
Team Results Projects
DHS Fellows focus throughout the year on
specific team results projects that will benefit the
individual (by applying what is being learned in
the program); the agency (by accomplishing an
important, mission-related outcome); and the
public as a whole. Each session will allow time
for teams to work on their results projects with
follow-up actions and communications between
sessions.
Rotational Assignments
As a part of the DHS Fellows Program, Fellows
will have the opportunity to complete a
mandatory rotational assignment within the
Department of Homeland Security. DHS Fellows
will spend two months detailed to another
component within the Department to gain a
greater understanding of the various functions and
responsibilities of that organization and foster
greater professional networks within DHS.
Exercises and Case Studies
DHS Fellows focus on case studies of teams and
leaders who have achieved important results in
the face of process, resource and other barriers,
and engage in exercises to develop their own
leadership skills.
Readings
The required and suggested reading list is tailored
to include readings relevant to the DHS mission
and context. Examples of the reading list from the
inaugural class include: The Looming Tower:
Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, by Lawrence
Wright, The Leadership Moment: Nine True
Stories of Triumph and Disaster and Their
Lessons for Us All by Michael Useem, The World
is Flat by Thomas Friedman and From Good to
Great, by Jim Collins.
Leadership Benchmarking
DHS Fellows benchmark several private, public
and nonprofit organizations. During these site
visits, DHS Fellows interact with senior and
mid-level leaders, learn from their successes and
failures, and cull the lessons to apply to their
daily challenges.
Previous benchmarking site visits include: New
York City for a tour of Ground Zero and a visit
to the New York City Office of Emergency
Management, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial
Museum, U.S. Secret Service Training Center,
Petco Stadium, San Diego Super Computer
Center, Microsoft Corporation, U.S. Coast
Guard, San Ysidro Border Station and the Otay
Mesa Detention Facility.
Self-Awareness and Skill Development
A range of assessment tools will be used
including a specifically designed 360-degree
feedback instrument, the Myers-Briggs Type
Indicator (MBTI) and others as appropriate.
Coaches meet individually with the DHS
Fellows to discuss the results of these assessment
tools and to provide input for their leadership
development. Throughout the year, DHS
Fellows will be encouraged to reflect on what
they are observing in each session and how they
can apply the lessons learned to their jobs.
Applying Learning Between Sessions
Between sessions, DHS Fellows will apply the
insights and learning of the previous sessions
and prepare for future sessions. Activities
include working with their teams to produce
results projects, assigned and optional reading,
working with their coaches, and applying new
strategies in real time, on the job.
 SESSION OUTLINE

Session 1: Mission, Vision, Values, and Context—New York City

MARCH 17-20
Focus: Examining the context in which DHS Fellows work; self-evaluation of their
leadership behavior in the light of the organization’s goals, their personal goals and role
of the public service in our democracy.

The four-day session starts in a significant location such as Ground Zero in New York
City and begins with a discussion of the DHS context and challenges lead by
knowledgeable guest leaders with experience in relevant threats, risk assessment and
emergency management. During this session, DHS Fellows will also discuss core values,
vision and mission from the individual, organizational and national perspectives.

“Graduates of the Excellence in Government Fellows Program are better able to deal
with change and are far more resilient. They leave the program with a new commitment,
renewed purpose and dedication. They are a part of a new valuable peer and cohort
group.”

Admiral Thad Allen

Commandant, United States Coast Guard

Session Two: Managing for Results—Washington, DC

Focus: The application of results-based accountability and performance measurement
MAY, 2009

concepts; key success factors necessary for team results projects.

Session Two begins by discussing a number of models for evidence-based decision

making and measuring performance. The differences between outcome and activity
results measures will be discussed. Exercises in which DHS Fellows play the roles of
different stakeholders illustrate results-based accountability and performance measure-
ment models. They will examine how leaders develop and communicate measurable
goals along with how progress and success are measured.

Session Three: Leading People—Location TBD

Focus: What is transformational leadership? How is it reflected in the public, nonprofit
JUNE, 2009

and private sectors?

The third session explores difficult issues around leading and managing people. DHS
Fellows discuss with guest leaders from the private and public sector how they motivate
individuals and teams, accomplish extraordinary outcomes and bring about change within
an organization’s culture. DHS Fellows explore conflict and the various approaches that
can be used to work through conflict and diverse perspectives to achieve high levels of
performance. Additional discussions are focused on ethical decision-making.
 Session Four: Building Partnerships and Coalitions—Location TBD

AUG., 2009
Focus: Building cross-boundary partnerships and the application of leadership strategies
to establish effective partnerships and coalitions.

In this session, exercises and role-playing are used to enhance the negotiation and
communication skills of the DHS Fellows. The importance of strategic outreach to
stakeholders to enlist their support is illustrated through a role-playing exercise involving
intense conflict among stakeholders.

Session Five: Leading Change—Location TBD

SEPT., 2009
Focus: Hands-on learning from successful examples of transformational leadership and
innovation in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

The program uses leadership “Benchmarking,” a model and framework for observing,
understanding and applying the tools and techniques that leaders use to produce results.
These benchmarking sessions help to develop a DHS Fellow’s ability to continually look
for leadership lessons in all parts of their lives.

Session Six: Business Acumen—Washington, DC

Focus: The art of decision-making under pressure and the strategic application of core

OCT., 2009
business tools and functions.

Business Acumen focuses on managing the essential functions of a group including

human capital management, information technology, acquisition and financial
management. Current business tools and leadership strategies are examined in the light of
current and historical examples.

NOVEMBER 18-20

Session Seven: Synthesis, Integration & Celebration—Washington DC

This closing session focuses on how leadership competencies interrelate and their
relevance to future leadership challenges. DHS Fellows participate in an inspiring
graduation ceremony with their colleagues and family members.
 DHS Fellows Program Guest Leaders
The DHS Fellows program engages speakers who have faced real homeland security leadership challenges.
In addition to federal, state and local government leaders, speakers with knowledge and experience in topics
such as threat assessment, risk management, emergency planning, response and recovery, and information
sharing and security are invited to provide a variety of perspectives on leadership in the homeland security

• Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, • Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director, U.S. Citizen and
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Paul Nicholas, Principal Security Strategist, Microsoft • Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary (former)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Joseph Bruno, Commissioner • Ken Kawachi, Director of Security and Transportation

New York City Office of Emergency Management Services, Petco Park, San Diego

• Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary for Science and • Paul A. Schneider, Deputy Secretary (Acting)
Technology, U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Michael J. Fisher, Chief Border Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, • George L. Tanner, Ph.D, Chief Learning Officer
U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Robert T. Mahoney, General Manager of Security, Office of • David Haun, Deputy Associate Director, Transportation,
Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and Homeland, Justice and Services Division, U.S. Office of
New Jersey Management and Budget

• Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, • Rear Admiral Tom Atkin, Deployable Operations Group,
Government Accountability Office U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Col. Terry Ebbert, Director of Homeland Security, City of • Chief Warren J. Riley, Chief of Police, City of New Orleans
New Orleans

• Rear Admiral Gary T. Blore, Assistant Commandant, • Lawrence Wright, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the
U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Road to 9/11

APPLICATION PROCESS:
The Department of Homeland Security, assisted by
The Council for Excellence in Government,
reviews applications from each component agency
in order to select a cohort of promising career GS-
14s, GS-15s and exceptional 13s.
Selection Criteria:
• Broad representation of DHS components;
• Outstanding performance and leadership
potential; and
Inaugural DHS Fellows group visit Ground Zero at
• Approval by agency supervisor; and the World Trade Center in New York City.
• Willingness to work in teams to advance
solutions to critical challenges.
BECOME A DHS FELLOW
Who should apply?
Individuals with a rank at the GS-14 or GS-15
level. Exceptional individuals at the GS-13 level
are encouraged to apply.
What is the application process?
Applicants from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection,
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Coast Guard, Secret Service, and the
Transportation Security Administration should
submit applications to their respective
component heads.
Applications from all other components should
be submitted to the Council for Excellence in
Government.
Application Deadline: Jan. 16, 2009
What is the tuition?
Tuition for the DHS Fellows Program is $10,900.
Tuition payments should be made to the Council for
Excellence in Government. Purchase order, check
or credit card payment is accepted. Tuition includes:
• Approximately 20 program days;
• including the benchmarking/leader visits;
• Books, readings and other course materials;
• Self-assessment tools and analysis;
• Individual coaching and development
planning around self-assessment results;
• Use of the Fellows Skills Bank and on-line
collaboration tools;
• Access to the Council’s resources, expertise
and networks;
• Invitations to special Council events, such as
Evenings of Excellence and book discussion
programs; and
• Invitations to special DHS Senior Fellows
activities including lectures, programs and
networking opportunities.
Are there other costs?
Sponsoring organizations are responsible for travel
expenses associated with events held outside the
greater Washington DC area. The estimated cost for
these trips is $4,500 per Fellow, based on travel
from the greater Washington, DC area.
For more information:
Please contact Michael Huang at 202-728-0418 or
email dhsfellowsinfo@excelgov.org.