The EFCN Water Leadership Program (WLP) helps enhance early and mid-career water professionals’ leadership skills and occupational knowledge.
This free 12-week learning experience gives rising water leaders the training and resources needed to face challenges of utility management with confidence. Enrolled participants attend a mix of live, interactive trainings and asynchronous learning modules created by our team of experts.
While the application period for the 2024 WLP Cohort Experience has closed, select recordings and resources from the program are available below as an asynchronous learning module.
Water Leadership Program (WLP) On-Demand Learning
Unable to participate in the full program? Explore foundational concepts in water utility leadership through our flexible, on-demand learning module. Designed for participants looking to deepen their understanding of core leadership topics outside the program’s active period, these resources provide insights and strategies from our expert-led sessions. Select recordings and curated resources from the Water Leadership Program are available below, allowing you to build skills at your own pace.
▶ Navigating Workplace Dynamics: Working with Staff, Diversity, and Conflict Resolution
Water professionals are often so busy with day-to-day operations that “people skills” come second. From delegation and performance measurement to correcting unwanted behaviors, participants will learn how to address workplace issues with emotional intelligence and effectiveness. Topics include motivation, interpersonal communications, delegation and negotiating conflict.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES
Resources:
- Mastering Conflict Resolution: A Manager’s Guide to Harmonious Teams (Join the Collective) | READ
- Conflict Management Leadership One-Sheet (College of San Mateo) | READ
- Conflict Resolution Worksheet (USDA) | VIEW/DOWNLOAD
▶ Strategic Communication for Water Sector Leaders
Strategic communications is about knowing your audiences and how to reach them. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Knowing your community’s demographics and communication patterns can provide water sector leaders with insight into developing consistent and informative communication plans.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES
Resources:
- New Messaging Toolkit on Timely Water Issues (US Water Alliance) | READ
- Messaging for Results: Communicating Critical Water Issues (US Water Alliance) | LEARN MORE
- Rate Your Dominant Communication Style Worksheet (Covisioning) | VIEW/DOWNLOAD
▶ Leading with Social and Emotional Intelligence
Understanding and recognizing our emotional responses and acknowledging the feelings of our peers can fundamentally change our approach as leaders. Leading with social and emotional intelligence can support enhanced team performance, communication, stress management, and resilience across industries and sectors. As water professionals, learning about social and emotional intelligence and challenging ourselves to apply it is the first step.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES
Resources:
- What Is the CASEL SEL Framework? (CASEL) | READ
- What is CASEL’s SEL Framework? (PDF, CASEL) | READ
- Circle of Control Worksheet | VIEW/DOWNLOAD
- Adult SEL Personal Self-Reflection Tool (English) | DOWNLOAD
- Adult SEL Personal Self-Reflection Tool (Spanish) | DOWNLOAD
▶ Environmental Justice Perspectives in the Water Sector
What is environmental justice? In this session, we will learn about environmental justice and equity in the water industry, and ways we can use these perspectives to manage our utilities and make decisions with the communities we serve in mind.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION SLIDES
Resources:
- The Changing Landscape of Social Justice in the Water Sector (EFCN) | READ
- Racial Equity Toolkit (US Water Alliance) | Racial Equity Toolkit
- An Equitable Water Future: A National Briefing Paper (US Water Alliance) | READ
▶ Additional Resources & Self-Assessments
Career Self-Assessment (3-Parts)
In this activity, participants will complete a set of self-assessment instruments and activities, with the intended goal of understanding both short and long-term career and life plans.
- PART 1: View/Download
- PART 2: View/Download
- PART 3: View/Download
Leadership Laboratory Worksheet
In this asynchronous exercise, we invite participants to dive deep into one of several pre-selected leadership topics covered during the program. Participants will choose a topic, engage with relevant resources, and develop an output, such as an evaluation, outline, or presentation.
2024 Regional Focus
In 2024, the EFCN Water Leadership Program introduced a regional twist in order to transform the learning journey for participants. This fresh approach is based on principles of community building, creating a more personalized learning experience, and is informed by valuable insights provided by our 2023 inaugural cohort.
Program Goals
Develop Leadership Skills
› Elevate your leadership capabilities and your occupational knowledge
Build a Professional Peer Community
› Join a collaborative network of water professionals for shared learning and information exchange
Strengthen Workforce Capacity
› Develop skills to retain and nurture talent through workforce planning training and support
Who the program is for:
- You’re an early or mid-career water professional who wants to increase your leadership skills and knowledge to take the next step in your career
- You want quick access to experts and chances to network with your peers
- You’re excited about joining the next wave of Water Workforce leaders in the U.S.
Congratulations to the 2023 Water Leadership Program cohort!
“I’m planning to use the leadership knowledge that I gained to improve my communication skills in the workplace, to improve my collaboration skills, and to move into leadership roles within the water sector.”
Valerie Lovato, 2023 Geyser Leader Awardee
Water Leadership Program cohorts gain access to the following benefits:
- Exclusive access to EFCN’s peer network
- One-on-one career advice from experts
- Editorial support for blog publication in EFCN’s Multimedia Library
- Digital badge and certificate for your resume/LinkedIn
Interested in learning more?
Questions? Contact:
Averi Davis
Program Manager
Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center (SU-EFC)
EPA Region 2 – efc.syr.edu