3.5 Hours
To Be or Not to Be an Executive

Description
Understand what it takes to be in the executive cadre as you learn from experienced executives and career coaches with decades of experience as executives.
- You will discuss what is expected at the executive level, how to navigate through the world of the executive cadre, and how to prepare for the appointment process.
- Learn what it’s really like up there by having frank and honest discussions with seasoned and newly appointed executives. Ask the tough questions and get the inside scoop on what the expectations are really like.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and practice the leadership competencies at the executive level;
- Learn more about the appointment process for executives and how to prepare;
- Have in-depth conversations with experienced and newly-appointed executives to find out what it’s really like at their levels;
- Learn what is expected at the executive level as compared to manager level;
Who Should Take this course:
- If you are aspiring to move up the corporate ladder, unclear about the next steps in your career plan, or are at the manager level and considering to make the move to the executive cadre.
Duration:
- 3 hours, including brief breaks to maintain engagement and facilitate learning absorption
Certificate in Frontline Leadership
This course is part of the Certificate in Frontline Leadership offered by the institute. Through a blend of core and elective courses, participants will gain valuable insights and tools to excel in their roles and drive their teams towards success.
Facilitators
Jane Hardy is a Certified Executive Coach who coaches executives and managers in the federal public sector. She sees daily the value of coaching in inspiring people to perform at their best with comfort and confidence. Jane also has over 20 years of leadership experience in progressively senior positions in the federal government. She knows firsthand the complex challenges and pressures public service leaders face. Jane obtained her graduate certificate in executive coaching from Royal Roads University in British Columbia and her Associate Certified Coach (A.C.C.) designation from the International Coach Federation. Since then, she has coached leaders from manager and Director through to Assistant Deputy Minister in over 20 federal departments and agencies. Jane believes passionately in coaching as a powerful tool for accelerating leadership development. There are many professional development tools available from stretch assignments to various forms of training. Each has its place in the tool kit. But coaching provides one thing the others do not – a safe space and a trusted thinking partner. Through coaching, Jane will support you in taking a hard look at who you are as a leader, what may be holding you back and what changes you need to make to go beyond where you are now to obtain the results you want. Jane has also served in a number of diverse executive roles in her career: Assistant Deputy Minister, Consulting, Information and Shared Services Branch, Public Works and Government Services Canada; Director General, Telecommunications and Informatics Services and Operations, Public Works and Government Services Canada; Director General, Financial Management, Natural Resources Canada; Associate Director General, Tobacco Control Bureau, Health Canada; Program Director, Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Treasury Board Secretariat; Director level program and policy positions in Industry Canada and Fisheries and Oceans.
For more information on Jane’s experience and coaching approach, go to her website at www.hardycoaching.com
Mr. François Gagnon served as Vice-President of the Learning Lab at the IOG for 6 years. He brings rich experience in the area of public sector learning and leadership.
Mr. Gagnon worked in the Public Service of Canada for 25 years, including 13 years as executive. He had the privilege to organize national ministerial consultations, to negotiate international and federal-provincial agreements and to lead national Grants and Contribution programs. At the Canada School of Public Service, he developed a change management and coaching practice. As Senior Director of Leadership Development, he led and oversaw the review of the entire suite of the School’s Leadership Development products for the Government of Canada.
In 2014, Mr. Gagnon founded Lead-Action, a firm specialized in Leadership Development. He joined the Institute on Governance in 2019 where he has been using his knowledge and expertise to build on the IOG’s strong reputation in this area.
Mr. Gagnon has a Degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Project Management during which he specialized in Leadership and Change Management. Over the last 20 years, he was lecturing in Leadership and Change at the University of Ottawa and Université du Québec en Outaouais. He completed required certifications to teach and administer a large range of psychometric instruments including products from the Center for Creative Leadership, Insights Discovery and two emotional intelligence instruments. He has facilitated and has managed the delivery of a large number of Leadership Development products and courses, including organizational 360-degree feedback processes and executive coaching in a large number of organizations in Canada and abroad. Mr. Gagnon was also invited to teach Leadership and Change Management at the University of Moscow and at the Russian Academy of Public Administration and has led the development of a Leadership Development program for Deputy Ministers of the Government of Ukraine. Through his work at Lead Action, he also contributed to leadership development projects in Indonesia, Belize and Mexico.
In addition to his professional activities, Mr. Gagnon holds a Private Pilot license and is a classically trained pianist who performs regularly in the region.
A seasoned, bilingual leader in public administration for over 30 years, Omer Boudreau has significant experience in public policy, corporate management and government operations.
He is a strategic leader who has successfully implemented transformational change in various settings. His reputation of excellence in building relationships, in the engagement of stakeholders and in achieving results has consistently earned him recognition among his peers.
Prior to launching his career as a leadership/management consultant, Omer served as VP, Corporate Management at the Public Service Commission of Canada, VP, Human Resources at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and DG, Therapeutic Products at Health Canada. He also served in several other executive positions in the federal public service. Having led corporate functions and operational programs, in both regional settings and in the National Capital,
Omer has a broad understanding of public administration and a wealth of experience that he now shares passionately with his clients. In addition to public administration, Omer’s passions include cooking for family and friends and playing music.