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State Civil Service panel recommends books, podcasts and practical tools for new supervisors
Summary
State Civil Service hosted a Leadership Academy webinar in early 2026 where Dr. Dana LaBerse and panelists Dr. Doug Bordelon and Nathan Barnaba reviewed recommended books and podcasts, discussed servant-leadership and practical hiring/performance tips, and announced a March 12 webinar on storytelling.
Dr. Dana LaBerse of State Civil Service hosted a virtual Leadership Academy webinar in early 2026 focused on practical leadership resources for new and current supervisors. Panelists included Dr. Doug Bordelon, a human resources manager at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and Nathan Barnaba, who leads the tech team working on learning, performance and culture.
The session centered on three recommended books and several audio and online resources. Nathan Barnaba recommended Julie Zhuo’s The Making of a Manager, saying the book “shift[s] the perspective because it’s not about you anymore. It’s about the team and removing those obstacles.” He described the book as especially useful for newer supervisors who must have difficult conversations and learn to coach a team.
Dr. Doug Bordelon presented Michael Greenleaf’s essay and book material on servant leadership, arguing that leaders should derive legitimacy by serving staff and focusing on the least advantaged. “It’s how may I serve you?” Bordelon said, describing servant leadership as building moral authority through support and staff growth rather than relying on positional power.
Dr. Dana LaBerse recommended Business Model Generation as a tool for public-sector “intrapreneurs” to map value propositions, partners and customer segments. LaBerse said the book’s canvas prompts leaders to ask whether clients see the same value the agency intends to deliver and suggested surveys or focus groups as follow-up steps.
Panelists discussed practical applications: Bordelon described evaluating a candidate’s “vibe” and communication in hiring, and advised that performance conversations begin with observed behavior and invite an employee’s account before moving to corrective actions. The group also compared personality frameworks (MBTI and DISC) and how self-awareness can shape a sustainable leadership style.
Chat participants and the panel supplied additional resources: emotional-intelligence books, John Wooden and Jim Collins’ Good to Great, Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead, HBR IdeaCast, The New Manager podcast and Ask a CEO. Tara Gallop, the session producer, highlighted free learning access through East Baton Rouge Parish Library and the Libby platform.
Organizers closed with logistics: the webinar recording and slide deck will be posted on the civilservice.louisiana.gov CPTP page and on YouTube; live attendance requires registration through SuccessFactors; and questions or follow-up can be sent to scs-cptp@civilservice.la.gov. LaBerse also announced the next webinar, “Leading through narrative,” scheduled for March 12 with guests Byron Decoteau, Sherry Gregoire and Kiana Lynell.
The session was presented as a practical resource-sharing event rather than a forum for policy decisions; attendees were encouraged to test the recommended readings and to use library and SuccessFactors resources to access additional content.
