CPS HR Leadership Development

Lisa Kjellstrom, CPS HR Instructor

Lisa Kjellstrom has been partnering with CPS HR for the past three years, working with leaders across the public sector at a time when the demands on them continue to grow in both complexity and visibility. Supporting these leaders matters. They are making decisions that affect entire communities, often under pressure, scrutiny, and constant change.

CPS HR plays an important role in this space by investing in the development of people who serve the public. Their approach emphasizes practical skills, self-awareness, and the ability to lead with both competence and care. In Lisa’s experience, what makes this work meaningful is the opportunity to engage with leaders who are deeply committed to their roles and to the communities they serve.

Here are some of the topics Lisa currently teaches:

AI-Era Leadership: Human Skills That Can’t Be Automated
As technology reshapes the workplace, the most valuable leadership skills are becoming deeply human ones - empathy, communication, and trust-building. This course explores how leaders can stay relevant and grounded in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Being the Steady Center as a Leader
In times of uncertainty, leaders set the emotional tone. This session focuses on how to remain calm, clear, and intentional - even when everything around you feels in motion.

Emotional Intelligence
Leadership isn’t just about decisions - it’s about awareness. We dive into how understanding your own emotions, and those of others, can improve relationships, decision-making, and team performance.

Giving and Receiving Feedback
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth - when it’s done well. This course helps leaders build the skills to deliver feedback clearly and receive it with openness.

Micro-Storytelling for Public Sector Impact
Stories move people in ways data alone cannot. Leaders learn how to use concise, meaningful storytelling to communicate ideas, influence stakeholders, and connect with their audiences.

Stress Management
Public sector leadership can be demanding. This session offers practical strategies to manage stress, maintain resilience, and avoid burnout.

Team Development for Leaders
Strong teams don’t happen by accident. We explore how to build trust, align goals, and create environments where people can do their best work together.

The Art of Civic Dialogue: How to Communicate with Influence and Impact
In a time of polarization, the ability to engage in thoughtful, productive dialogue is essential. This course focuses on communicating with clarity, respect, and effectiveness - even in difficult conversations.

This work continues to reinforce a simple idea: strong public sector leadership has a direct impact on the health and effectiveness of our communities. Contributing to that development is work she deeply appreciate having the opportunity to do.