Leadership Development
Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization.
Leadership Development and Leadership Succession are critical areas for any organization or profession. Given the population of at-risk and justice-involved youth served, one can argue that the need for strong leadership is even more important in juvenile services to grow and supervise staff who work with these youth, who need mentoring and nurturing support.
NPJS strives to be a resource in both areas (leadership development and succession planning) by being a place for current and emerging leaders in juvenile justice to learn about best practices and to network with peers. The advancement and evolution to the next generation of leaders should be an ongoing process. NPJS has been privileged to have a wonderful representation of scholars and writers; practitioners from several disciplines, and lovers of children, all of whom have committed their skills and knowledge to the advancement of the juvenile justice field for the duration of their careers. Who is going to step into these shoes as people retire? We continually ask that question and are always seeking opportunities to focus on those emerging and current leaders (administrators and mid-level management) in juvenile confinement facilities including juvenile detention, corrections and treatment centers. Although we recognize that this to some degree is limiting, it also provides a valuable service to a cadre of leaders not included in other leadership development programs servicing the larger juvenile justice community.
Leadership topics available through NPJS include:
Exploring Your Leadership Style
Essential Skills for Supervisors
Situational Leadership
Emotional Intelligence for Leaders
Coaching and Mentoring for Development
The Art of Accountability
Ethics and Professional Courage
Maxwell’s Laws of Leadership to Create the Culture
Managing through Change
NPJS’ focus is on developing transformative type leaders, individuals who are able to apply transformational leadership principles – emotional intelligence, coaching and mentoring for development, personal and professional accountability, and demonstrating ethics and the professional courage to always know the correct path forward in difficult circumstances – despite the fact that they all lead in a very transactive type environment.
We also value connection and know that as a result of participating in NPJS whether it is through committee work, training opportunities, or networking with other professionals that a member is going to be connected to a diverse group of juvenile justice leaders from across the country and we will be connected in their leadership development going forward.
If your agency or jurisdiction would like to explore how NPJS can support your specific leadership development plan or needs, then please contact our office at Michael.Jones@npjs.org.