About This Course

Facilitative Leadership in the Public Sector is a four-session, practice-oriented training series specifically designed for professionals who currently serve or aspire to serve in public institutions. Delivered by Prof. Lawrence Susskind of the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning, this program explores how leadership in the public sector can be redefined not merely as the exercise of authority, but as a practice rooted in collaboration, relationship management, and inclusive decision-making.

Each session not only presents theoretical approaches to facilitative leadership in a clear and accessible way but also provides participants with opportunities to apply these approaches through realistic scenarios. Throughout the training, leadership skills such as stakeholder analysis, intra-group consensus building, value creation in conflict resolution, and establishing trust-based relationships are examined through case-based learning.

Participants do more than acquire conceptual knowledge; they also explore their own understanding of leadership, identify their strengths, and recognize areas for growth. In this sense, the training aims to cultivate leaders in the public sector who not only manage but also guide, encourage participation, and inspire the communities they serve.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites. However, participants with foundational knowledge in public administration, policymaking, civil society, or related fields will benefit more from the program.

Instructor

Prof. Lawrence Susskind is a distinguished academic who has served for many years as a faculty member in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His areas of expertise include mediation, public negotiation, civic engagement, and the resolution of environmental disputes.

Widely recognized as a pioneer in participatory leadership, inclusive planning, and stakeholder-based decision-making in the public sector, Susskind delivers seminars and hands-on workshops on facilitative leadership across the world. His educational model combining theory, practice, and personal reflection is considered groundbreaking and serves as a reference point for many universities and public institutions.

Through this course, you will not only reflect on leadership but also gain the opportunity to rebuild and strengthen your own leadership capacity.