Conference attendees listen at the 6th Annual Key Executive Leadership Conference

More than 200 people turned out for the Sixth-Annual Key Executive Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The conference, held on May 13th, was designed to help busy career federal executives seeking to cultivate their leadership skills and learn solutions to public policy implementation challenges.

This year’s conference focused on leadership in a complex world and featured leadership expert and acclaimed author Jennifer Garvey Berger as the keynote speaker. Garvey Berger talked about new ways leaders need to act, think, and be while facing challenges in today’s VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) world.

Garvey Berger described the habits of mind that today’s public leaders need to meet adaptive challenges, set direction, build organizational cultures and make decisions fit for a complex world.

“This is the third year that we've sold out,” said School of Public Affairs’ Patrick Malone, director of the Key Executive Leadership Programs. “We've moved the event to a bigger venue to accommodate the growing interest in the event. I’m thrilled with the attendance and positive response.”

Participants received a copy of Garvey Berger and Keith Johnston's new book, Simple Habits for Complex Times: Powerful Practices for Leaders.

In feedback from the event, attendees said the conference was informative and insightful. “I learned a lot, and even more from hearing how my peers approach similar challenges at their respective agencies," one attendee wrote.

For 40 years, the Key Executive Programs at AU’s School of Public Affairs have offered training and mentoring that’s designed to enhance the leadership skills of public sector executives. More information on Key can be found here.