Research Center for Leadership in Action

The Research Center for Leadership in Action^[1] (RCLA) builds knowledge and capacity for leadership to transform society. Housed at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, a nationally top-ranked school for public service, the Center’s unique approach integrates research with practice, bridges individual pursuits and collective endeavors, and connects local efforts with global trends. RCLA scholars use innovative research methodologies to advance big ideas in leadership, and the Center’s customized leadership development and capacity-building programs facilitate critical reflection, peer-to-peer learning and transformation at the individual, organizational and systems levels.

Research

RCLA's research is shifting the discourse about leadership from a focus on individual, "heroic" leaders to a more collective, relational and inclusive view. RCLA scholars move beyond questions of who is a leader and what leaders do, to how leadership is practiced and how leadership makes change possible. The Center conducts research with leaders rather than on leaders to uncover and cultivate insights that describe leadership clearly and with an authentic voice. This research^[2] expands the notion of how people at all levels of organizations and across all sectors of society can take up leadership for the public good.

A major contribution of RCLA's research to the leadership field has been illuminating the specific leadership practices that social change nonprofit organizations employ^[3] to build leadership capital and create social change. While often overlooked in leadership studies, these community-based nonprofits represent a rich and essential resource for US civil society; serve as bellwethers for the field; and enact profound reforms to broken systems and structures. This work toward the common good reflects the human spirit at its best, and this leadership is essential to guarantee, sustain and invigorate democracy.

Programs

RCLA works at the local, national and international levels with a wide spectrum of leaders and nonprofits, government agencies, foundations and corporations working for the public good. RCLA's current programs include:

• Global Social Change Leadership Institute.^[4] Through this intensive, two-week summer program, university and graduate students and recent college graduates from around the world to build the practical knowledge and skills to advance social justice in their communities. Program participants learn from experts at the forefront of policy reform and advocacy, coalition building and direct service, and the curriculum draws on a decade of research RCLA has conducted with award-winning social change organizations. Interactive workshops are paired with site visits throughout New York City, offering participants a robust understanding of both the theory and practice of leadership and social change. Participants emerge with an understanding of social change leadership, a plan for taking action in their community, and an international network of other advocates committed to social justice.
• Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service^[5] is a seven-month leadership development program for a select group of promising young public service professionals in New York City. Through FELPS, these leaders gain valuable experience and exposure to a range of career exploration activities that will help them define their path into public service. Fellows hear from top public service leaders about their own career trajectories and guidance on practical strategies for succeeding in public service; engage in monthly workshops that help them explore their strengths, interests and goals and develop a personalized career plan; receive ongoing mentorship; and build a network of like-minded professionals.
• Leading Large Scale Change in the Public Sector,^[6] a high-level executive briefing series offered in partnership with Accenture convenes senior and mid-level managers in New York City government to candidly discuss the multiple managerial and leadership challenges of implementing large-scale change in the highly political, volatile and visible world of government.
• Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship'.^[7] Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched Innovation Delivery Teams in five US cities – Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Memphis, and New Orleans. The Teams are helping mayors develop and deliver high-impact solutions to cities’ most pressing needs – from dramatically scaling energy efficiency efforts to reducing gun violence. NYU Wagner and RCLA are serving as the knowledge partners for the initiative and designing and managing the Bloomberg Innovation Delivery Fellowship, through which outstanding early-career professionals document each Team’s progress and gather data to help elevate best practices for cities across the nation, while preparing themselves for leadership careers in the public sector.

References

External links

• Official website
• Leading Large Scale Change page
• Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service page
• Global Social Change Leadership Institute page