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Council backs city staff leadership program to build succession and cross‑departmental skills
Summary
Council provided direction to staff to develop a Lincoln‑specific leadership academy for employees to build management skills and cross‑department familiarity; staff will return with program details and a small budget amendment.
City Manager Sean Scully briefed the council on a proposed staff leadership and succession program designed to develop internal candidates for future management roles and reduce reliance on external recruitment.
Scully reviewed research into similar management academies and recommended a Lincoln‑specific cohort program open to city employees across departments. The pilot program would enroll a small cohort (10–15 employees), run monthly sessions with in‑class and project components, and include modules on municipal operations, team dynamics, strategic thinking, ethics, legal compliance and communications.
Scully said staff favor an inclusive approach so employees from public safety, public works, finance and front‑line services can participate. The primary cost is staff time for one full day per month; a modest budget amendment will be proposed as part of the next quarterly update to fund materials and outside speakers. Scully asked council for support to proceed with design and a phased rollout.
Council members expressed unanimous support for the program’s goals. Several members said a local‑tailored program would help preserve the “Lincoln way,” break down departmental silos and support succession planning. Council asked staff to return with proposed curriculum, schedule, selection criteria and a minor budget amendment; staff indicated a goal of launching late in the year or early next fiscal year.
