TN Government Leadership

Black Belt Leadership Program

The Black Belt Leadership Program is a self-directed, yet structured development opportunity for the Tennessee Government Leadership (TGL) alumni community. Leaders begin their journey upon graduation from one or more of the statewide leadership programs: LEAD Tennessee, Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI) or Tennessee Government Management Institute (TGMI). Alumni may continue their journey of leadership development through participation in the Black Belt Leadership Program. There are six levels of the Black Belt Leadership Program: White Belt, Yellow Belt, Orange Belt, Blue Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt. To advance from one belt level to the next, participants must earn the specified number of points in Strategic Development and in Service. At the initial belt levels, Strategic Development is the most emphasized component because personal learning is fundamental to professional development. As participants advance through the belt levels, Service (both internal to state government and external to the community) becomes the more emphasized component, recognizing the importance of paying it forward and investing and focusing on others.

LEAD Tennessee

LEAD Tennessee is a pipeline of current and emerging leaders moving through 12 months of intense, high impact development in eight leadership core competencies, thus building bench strength within agencies and creating a pool of leadership talent for the state. LEAD Tennessee is designed for the executive and senior level leader/ manager. High potential emerging leaders within agencies are also invited to participate, thus providing the unique experience of multi levels within government learning together.

Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI)

TGEI is designed for senior-level leaders. Suggested state working titles include Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Wardens, Directors, Senior-level leaders, etc.

TGEI is a two-week residential executive institute that provides senior-level managers in Tennessee state government the opportunity for academic study and learning in executive responsibility and cross agency networking designed to enhance the individual skills of senior leaders.

Tennessee Government Management Institute (TGMI)

TGMI is designed for middle managers with supervisory and/or project management responsibilities. Suggested state working titles include Assistant Directors, Program Managers, Associate Wardens, Associate Superintendents, Administrative Service Managers, Human Resources Managers, etc.

TGMI is a two-week residential management institute that provides mid-level managers in Tennessee state government with the opportunity for academic study, learning in practical management skills, and cross agency networking to enhance the individual skills of middle managers.

Tennessee Government Leadership Council (TGL)

Imagine a professional sports team that was not very passionate about winning. A team that really didn’t care about putting together a sound strategy for success, that wasn’t concerned about how well the season went, and that only pursued mediocrity, would not be a winning team. Passion about the goal, the mission, and the very purpose for which the organization exists is critical to achieve those ends effectively and efficiently. Leadership development in Tennessee state government is the goal of the Tennessee Government Leadership Council (TGLC).

The TGLC was created to provide strategic guidance in development opportunities for leaders in Tennessee state government. The Committee is made up of alumni leaders from LEAD Tennessee, TGMI, and TGEI.  All members of the TGLC are considered to be champions for leadership excellence by providing support for the various components of leadership development in state government. In essence, every member of the TGLC is passionate about creating a cultural change that promotes leadership development at every level in state government. No one person can achieve the goal alone. Working together the Council strives to meet the challenge of achieving the goal of creating a true learning environment that fosters the cultural development of leaders.