More than two dozen leaders of (National Center for State Courts) NCSC met last week to huddle, discuss recent successes, and strategize about the future of the organization. The NCSC “Leadership Cabinet” is composed of the executive leadership team joined by nearly 20 senior managers.
It was formed shortly after the pandemic as NCSC transitioned to a mostly remote workforce to make sure its senior leaders always have open lines of communication. Leaders from across all parts of NCSC, from Accounting and Human Resources to Advancement and IT, have seats at the table to exchange ideas and discuss ways to improve the functioning of the organization.
The most recent two-day convening was held in Arlington, Virginia. NCSC leaders reflected on how they have worked together to more closely collaborate on projects that may include different teams from within the organization.
In one session, staff reflected on the success of a GIS mapping project that documents legal deserts across the states. The project has been successful in part because of internal coordination as the project unfolded. As Pam Casey, NCSC’s vice president for research and design, told her colleagues: “By having this (internal) collaborative approach, we’re getting out in front. We’re developing something new.”
Meeting together also allows senior leaders to get to know one another better personally and professionally. Shay Cleary, NCSC’s managing director for technology and architectural services, joked that as a Minnesotan, everyone should understand that when he is excited about an idea he will say, “You betcha!” whereas if he is unenthused, he will say, “That’s different….”
Staff traveled from far and wide to participate in the event, with colleagues coming in from California, Florida, New York, and everywhere in between. One staff member, Violaine Autheman, traveled from an international project in Tunisia in part to participate in the meeting.
The Leadership Cabinet meets several times a year, with some meetings taking place in person and some taking place virtually. The events are facilitated by the Center for Applied Research (CFAR), a consulting firm based in Philadelphia and Boston that helps leaders activate organizations to achieve their highest aspirations—productively, meaningfully, profitably, and with impact.
It was formed shortly after the pandemic as NCSC transitioned to a mostly remote workforce to make sure its senior leaders always have open lines of communication. Leaders from across all parts of NCSC, from Accounting and Human Resources to Advancement and IT, have seats at the table to exchange ideas and discuss ways to improve the functioning of the organization.
The most recent two-day convening was held in Arlington, Virginia. NCSC leaders reflected on how they have worked together to more closely collaborate on projects that may include different teams from within the organization.
In one session, staff reflected on the success of a GIS mapping project that documents legal deserts across the states. The project has been successful in part because of internal coordination as the project unfolded. As Pam Casey, NCSC’s vice president for research and design, told her colleagues: “By having this (internal) collaborative approach, we’re getting out in front. We’re developing something new.”
Meeting together also allows senior leaders to get to know one another better personally and professionally. Shay Cleary, NCSC’s managing director for technology and architectural services, joked that as a Minnesotan, everyone should understand that when he is excited about an idea he will say, “You betcha!” whereas if he is unenthused, he will say, “That’s different….”
Staff traveled from far and wide to participate in the event, with colleagues coming in from California, Florida, New York, and everywhere in between. One staff member, Violaine Autheman, traveled from an international project in Tunisia in part to participate in the meeting.
The Leadership Cabinet meets several times a year, with some meetings taking place in person and some taking place virtually. The events are facilitated by the Center for Applied Research (CFAR), a consulting firm based in Philadelphia and Boston that helps leaders activate organizations to achieve their highest aspirations—productively, meaningfully, profitably, and with impact.