Future Strategic Leaders Program

Program Structure

The program is structured as follows.

1. Micro-learning units are completed on-line over a two-week period over six weeks at the start of the program, each followed by a Friday night networking and debrief in Canberra.
2. A Leadership Workshop is held in Canberra on a Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday in Canberra.
3. Four Policy workshops are delivered on a Friday night and Saturday in Canberra.
4. At the completion of the Program, an opportunity is provided to be appointed to the FSLP Committee, involved in the delivery of the program in the subsequent year.

Program Benefits

Participants in the FSLP benefit in a number of ways from their time in the Program:

1. They are familiarised with key concepts involved in and shaping professional conduct, security policy making and leadership
2. They are given access to a workshop and an assessment tool to enable critical self-reflection and development planning –
3. They participate in action-learning programs focused on contemporary policy issues
4. If appointed to the FSLP Committee, they are provided opportunities to lead small program project teams
5. They are provided opportunities to develop and present their own insights and ideas on security policy issues
6. They are given unequalled networking opportunities, and exposure to and engagement with key thinkers and leaders in the security community

The development outcomes from the program include increased domain expertise; increased self-awareness and capacity for self-direction; increased ability to analyse and persuasively present policy information and proposals; increased professional networks; experience in committee work and team-based project delivery.

Who can participate in the FSLP?

Individuals are eligible for selection into the FSLP if they are:

1. Early career professionals employed in the public service, military, AFP and private sector defence and security companies and organisations
2. Postgraduate students under Institute scholarships (four individuals at any one time)

Selection is competitive, and at The Institute’s discretion, considering:

1. Nomination by their Department, Agency, or Company
2. References which speak to leadership potential
3. Academic, organisational, business or community achievement
4. Willingness and availability to meet program expectations and support Institute activities

Expectations on Participants

Participants in the FSLP are expected:

1. To complete three core micro-learning units on ‘Leaders and Leadership’, ‘Security Policy Making’ and ‘Strategy and Strategic Thinking’,
2. To participate in the program’s Leadership Development Workshop,
3. To establish an individual development plan for themselves built around and extending from their participation in the FSLP
4. To attend at least 2 policy workshops conducted as part of the program,
5. To submit at least one proposal for a NEXT presentation during their time in the program or to draft content for at least one security policy podcast

Further Program Elements:

From 2023, the FSLP will include:

• Opportunities to present in NEXT Young Policy Maker Presentations
• Opportunities to contribute to and produce policy-focused podcasts
• Access to a professional library
• A foundational psychometric assessment and coaching platform