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Leadership Learning Path

This Leadership Learning Path offers four perspectives (self, team, stewardship and imperatives) and serves to empower and equip learners at all levels with the essential skills, knowledge and mindsets needed to develop as a leader at any stage of their career.

The Leadership Learning Path offers self-directed learning, as well as the option to earn a certificate upon completion of core learning (sign-in and registration required).

About

Description

Making leadership development a priority requires strong personal and organizational commitment, as well as adaptability and resiliency. This learning path offers four perspectives (self, team, stewardship and imperatives) and serves to empower and equip learners at all levels with the essential skills, knowledge and mindsets needed to develop as a leader at any stage of their career. Learners will deepen their understanding of leadership by pursuing these self-directed learning activities, which include a subset of core courses that can lead to a certificate of completion.

Every leadership journey is personal. As you begin this learning path, take some time to consider your own thoughts on leadership. Begin by watching these short videos to inspire your thinking:

About the Leadership Learning Path

This learning path is designed to empower and equip you with essential skills, knowledge, and mindsets that will help you to develop as a leader at any stage of your public service career. You can explore the Leadership Learning Path at your own pace and decide at any time to pursue the certificate option. Any courses you complete prior to deciding to pursue this option will be credited towards earning the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Incorporating diverse perspectives and essential leadership learning, the Leadership Learning Path offers opportunities to:

  • develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the capacity to navigate change with empathy and resilience, contributing to leadership authenticity
  • effectively lead project or work teams, through communication, engagement, and commitment to a positive and inclusive culture
  • broaden your awareness of leading at the organizational level and beyond, to ensure a foundational understanding of the strategic environment, dynamics, values and challenges of the public service, and effectively champion shared priorities

The Leadership Learning Path allows you to personalize your leadership development, with a variety of topic choices organized around four perspectives (self, team, stewardship and imperatives) and several types of learning products, including courses, videos, podcasts, job aids and articles.

Learning products included in the Leadership Learning Path complement the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Key Leadership Competencies, which define behaviours and skills expected of leaders in the public service of Canada and serve as a tool to identify learning and development needs for career planning, and are aligned with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

Getting started

You can explore the Leadership Learning Path at your own pace and decide at any time to pursue the certificate option. Public servants at all levels can register for core courses in the certificate option, you will not be screened out from registering. Any courses you complete prior to deciding to pursue this option will be credited towards earning the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Self-directed learning

You can complete any of the learning offered in the Leadership Learning Path according to your individual interests and leadership development needs, including learning identified as either core or supplemental.

Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path

To receive the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path from the Canada School of Public Service, you must complete the online self-paced courses and instructor-led virtual classroom courses identified as core learning (around 34 courses for a total of approximately 50 hours). Progression through the core learning can be based on your personal preference and the availability of course sessions. You can take courses in any order. You may also choose to explore supplemental learning products at any time to further enhance your skills in any topic.

Get started on the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

It is recommended that you establish a schedule for completing the courses, and take time to put what you have learned into practice before continuing. This will help you to consolidate and apply your learning over the longer term.

If you have already completed courses that are included in the curriculum eligible to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you will automatically receive credit for them and will not be required to retake those courses.

Who can benefit

Public servants at all levels, including new or aspiring supervisors, team leaders and managers, can all benefit from the learning products offered in the Leadership Learning Path. It is most suitable for learners who have a few years of experience in the public service and have completed most of their mandatory training.

All public servants should discuss their interest in leadership development with their managers to determine readiness and suitability, and communicate their interest in their personal learning plans as part of the performance management cycle.

Interactive
Accessible

Leadership Learning Path

Leadership Learning Path

The Leadership Learning Path offers a self-directed learning journey through a variety of courses and other learning products at the Canada School of Public Service and other sources with the option to earn a certificate upon completion of a carefully curated core curriculum.

The goal is to empower and equip you with essential skills, knowledge, and mindsets that will help you to develop as a leader at any stage of your public service career.

The Leadership Learning Path curriculum is organized according to four perspectives:

In each perspective, carefully selected learning products are provided to support the professional development goals of learners.

Self: Developing as a leader

Enhanced self-awareness and wellness are essential to developing as a leader. They empower you to cultivate more effective decision-making skills and a mindset that encourages continuous personal and professional advancement. This section features two topics:

Self-awareness

Self-awareness is fundamental to developing as a leader. It serves as a cornerstone for goal setting, helps you highlight areas for improvement, and fosters continuous learning and personal enhancement.

Wellness

Wellness strategies and practices foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being, enabling leaders to adeptly navigate stressors, cultivate resilience, and sustain peak performance. Leaders who prioritize self-care and employ stress mitigation techniques not only enhance their overall health and leadership efficacy but also serve as role models of these behaviours for their teams.

Team: Leading teams

Successful team leaders exhibit competencies in effective communication, cultivating an inclusive and collaborative team culture, and demonstrating adaptability, strategic thinking, and the capacity to navigate and lead through change toward shared objectives. This section encompasses six topics:

Strategy and visioning

Strategy and visioning enable leaders to guide and inspire their teams by offering direction, motivation, and a decision-making framework, thereby ensuring team alignment, adaptability, and empowerment to attain success.

Common challenges

Common challenges for new leaders include delegating, goal setting and problem solving. Proactively addressing and navigating them will foster a smoother transition towards effectively leading their teams.

Effective communications and impactful conversations

Effective communication and impactful conversations are indispensable to leadership as they foster understanding, nurture collaboration, cultivate trust, empower positive change within teams and enable tangible results.

Human-centred workplaces

In human-centred workplaces, leaders must focus on understanding, valuing, and prioritizing the needs, well-being, and growth of team members, resulting in improved satisfaction, engagement, and organizational outcomes.

Inclusive leadership

Inclusive leadership is about establishing a sense of belonging and trust for all public servants, which is both a moral imperative and a strategic advantage. Inclusive leadership helps achieve organizational success by fostering innovation, enhancing decision-making, attracting top talent, and cultivating a positive workplace culture.

Leading change

Leading change involves guiding teams through rapidly evolving environments, aligning them with new goals, and ensuring transparent communication to maintain engagement and morale. Effective change leadership empowers teams to be resilient and successful in dynamic circumstances and situations.

Stewardship: Public service operations

Possessing a wide variety of functional skills is imperative for leaders in the public service of Canada to ensure effective governance, policy implementation, financial and resource management, and compliance. This contributes to the overall success of public service operations and the delivery of services to the people of Canada. This section features four topics:

Collective responsibility

Collective responsibility in the public sector is about stewardship. This is integral to leadership and involves responsibly and effectively managing public resources, maintaining public trust, and ensuring that decisions and actions align with broader departmental priorities.

Project and product management and agile practices

Project and product management and agile practices play a pivotal role in the successful planning, execution, and completion of government projects. Furthermore, they help leaders oversee the delivery of digital and digitally enabled products and services, ultimately providing consistent value to the people of Canada.

Risk management

Risk management is about using a systematic approach to determine the optimal course of action for addressing risks while pursuing opportunities. It is a cornerstone for public sector leaders, and it requires strategic decision-making, adaptability, resource optimization, and accountability.

Values and ethics

Values and ethics play a critical role in guiding leaders to uphold a strong ethical culture within their teams and across the public sector, and to maintain public confidence in the integrity of governmental institutions.

Imperatives: Public service in evolution

Several areas for action have been identified to help achieve our shared goal of a world-class public service equipped to serve the people of Canada. Each sets common expectations for leaders, and empowers them to take practical steps, both small and large, to achieve success. This section features six topics:

Digital, data and artificial intelligence

An increased focus on digital, data and artificial intelligence transformation is part of a leadership commitment to deliver modern programs, policies and services that are high quality, accessible, secure, efficient and tailored to meet current and emerging needs of Canadians.

Democratic institutions

Democratic institutions are the organizational structures, processes, and practices in Canadian society that uphold the principles and support the functioning of our democratic system of governance. Leaders in the public service of Canada are committed to improving, strengthening and protecting Canada's democratic institutions.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion in the public service of Canada is a collective obligation and opportunity, for which all leaders are expected to take practical actions that drive systemic change. This will ensure that the full capacity of our entire pool of talent is available to serve Canadians.

Indigenous reconciliation

Indigenous reconciliation based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships is a shared responsibility of leaders in the public service of Canada. Reconciliation means renewing relationships with Indigenous Peoples and overcoming the systemic inequalities they continue to experience.

Innovation and service excellence

Innovation and service excellence are focal points for leaders in the public service of Canada to better serve citizens, respond to changing circumstances, and operate efficiently and effectively.

Climate change

Climate change is a whole-of-society challenge that leaders in the public service of Canada are committed to addressing, including through mitigating its impacts.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the Leadership Learning Path?

The Leadership Learning Path offers a self-directed learning journey through a variety of learning products developed to enhance your leadership skills. The Leadership Learning Path supports public servants who wish to follow a self-directed and personalized learning path. The option is also available to pursue a carefully curated core leadership curriculum that leads to the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path from the Canada School of Public Service.

The goal of the Leadership Learning Path is to empower and equip you with essential skills, knowledge, and mindsets that will help you to develop as a leader at any stage of your career.

What are the recent updates to the core curriculum to earn a Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path?

In 2025–2026, the Canada School of Public Service updated several learning products in the Leadership Learning Path to keep the curriculum relevant for learners at all levels. The table below lists the newly added courses in the core curriculum required to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, organized by perspective and topic area.

Perspective Topic New Learning Product
Self: Developing as a leader Not applicable Not applicable
Team: Leading teams Inclusive leadership
Stewardship: Public service operations Collective responsibility
Imperatives: Public service in evolution Digital, data and artificial intelligence
Democratic institutions

If you are pursuing the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you will retain credit for courses already taken and will not be required to complete direct replacements.

What different types of learning products are offered in the Leadership Learning Path?

In keeping with survey data gathered from public servants on learning needs and preferences, the Leadership Learning Path allows you to personalize your leadership development. It offers essential leadership learning choices organized around four different perspectives (self, team, stewardship, and imperatives) and several types of learning products, including virtual instructor-led courses, online self-paced courses, videos, podcasts, job aids, and articles.

The Leadership Learning Path allows you to:

  • develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to navigate change with empathy and resilience, contributing to leadership authenticity
  • effectively lead project or work teams and deliver results, through communication, engagement, and commitment to a positive and inclusive culture
  • broaden your awareness of leading at the organizational level and beyond, to ensure a foundational understanding of the dynamics, values, and challenges of the public service, and effectively champion shared priorities

The Leadership Learning Path helps you develop and demonstrate the Key Leadership Competencies applicable to your role. The Path is also aligned with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

Who is eligible to pursue learning offered through the Leadership Learning Path?

The Leadership Learning Path is open to all public servants at all levels who are interested in developing as leaders according to their self-identified needs and at their own pace.

New or aspiring supervisors, team leaders, and managers can all benefit from the learning products offered in the Leadership Learning Path. The curriculum eligible to earn a certificate provides an attractive option.

You will get the most benefit from this training if you have a few years of experience in the federal public service and have completed most of your mandatory training.

Discuss your interest in leadership development with your manager to determine your readiness and suitability and include this in your personal learning plan as part of the performance management process.

Can anyone register for core curriculum courses needed to earn a Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, regardless of position title or level?

The Leadership Learning Path (Path) is open to all public servants (at all levels and classifications) interested in developing as leaders according to their self-identified needs and at their own pace. The Path was designed primarily for public servants below the executive level. The content of the Path is open to all public servants who wish to pursue this training, provided they have appropriate discussions with their managers regarding interest in leadership development. Regardless of their position title and responsibilities, learners will not be screened out from registration.

Do I need to be nominated or assigned to benefit from the Leadership Learning Path?

Unlike leadership development programs offered by the Canada School of Public Service, nominations are not required for the Leadership Learning Path. You may begin your leadership learning journey at any time. Discuss your interest in leadership development with your manager to determine your readiness and suitability, particularly if you wish to pursue the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

I am in a formal leadership development program offered by the Canada School of Public Service and some of this learning is familiar. Should I pursue courses in the Leadership Learning Path where there are content overlaps?

Many of the essential leadership topics are also covered in your development program; if you wish to also pursue the certificate option of the Leadership Learning Path, it should be considered a further investment in reinforcing or consolidating your leadership learning, as there will be some topics that overlap with your development program.

I am interested in the Leadership Learning Path. How do I get started?

You have two options when following the Leadership Learning Path:

  1. Option to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path: To earn the Certificate of Completion, you must complete the online self-paced courses and instructor-led virtual classroom courses identified as core learning (around 34 courses for a total of approximately 50 hours). As for the self-directed option, you can also explore supplemental learning to build your personal understanding of topics that are of priority for you.
  2. Self-directed option: You can pursue any of the learning offered in the Leadership Learning Path according to your individual interests and leadership development needs, just as you would for any other learning path developed by the Canada School of Public Service. This encompasses both core and supplemental learning.

You can explore the Leadership Learning Path at your own pace. If you choose the self-directed option, you may still decide at any time to pursue the certificate of completion. Any courses you complete prior to deciding to pursue this option will be credited towards earning the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

What are the advantages of earning the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path?

The Leadership Learning Path helps learners at all levels successfully navigate and benefit from the carefully curated leadership curriculum at the Canada School of Public Service and from other sources.

By completing the core curriculum to obtain the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you formally demonstrate your commitment to leadership development, dedication to enhancing your skill set, and aspiration to pursue and excel in leadership positions.

The Leadership Learning Path helps you develop and demonstrate the Key Leadership Competencies applicable to your role. The Path is also aligned with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.

How do I register for the certificate option under the Leadership Learning Path?

To pursue the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path from the Canada School of Public Service, register to the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path in the School's learning catalogue.

Once registered, you can access the core learning choices by signing into the learning platform, selecting "My learning" and then selecting "Learning paths."

What should I do if I am registered to complete the certificate option of the Leadership Learning Path and no longer want to pursue this learning at this time?

If circumstances change and you are unable to complete all learning to earn a Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, it is recommended that you unregister. To unregister, go to the registration page via the registration link provided on the Leadership Learning Path web page. Sign into the learning platform, then select the 'unregister' button on the registration page (this button only appears if you are signed into your CSPS account).

If in future you decide you would like to register again to earn a Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, note that you will retain credit for courses already taken and will not need to complete these courses to earn the certificate of completion.

Why does the core curriculum in the Leadership Learning Path, which is required to earn a certificate of completion, only include virtual classroom and online self-paced courses?

The core curriculum in the Leadership Learning Path to be completed to earn a certificate of completion comprises virtual instructor-led courses and online self-paced courses only. Our learning platform can track completion of these learning products, which is not currently practical for other learning products, such as articles or most job aids.

While other learning formats serve valuable roles in knowledge transfer and skill development, virtual instructor-led and online self-paced courses offer a more interactive and structured approach, providing learners with a deeper understanding and application of the learning material.

If you are pursuing the option to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you can also explore supplemental learning in a variety of learning formats to build your personal understanding of key topics.

Once I register for the certificate of completion option, will I have priority to register for the core curriculum courses listed in the Leadership Learning Path?

If you are working towards earning a certificate of completion, you are responsible for registering for each of the individual courses in the core curriculum in the Leadership Learning Path, according to your preferred timing. While online self-paced courses are always available, registration for instructor-led virtual classroom courses depends on the number of course offerings and the number of spots per course. If you are pursuing the certification option, you are not given priority to register for instructor-led virtual classroom courses. As these courses are listed in the learning catalogue, they are open to public servants across the country and filled on a first-come first-served basis.

What should I do if I am having difficulty registering for a virtual classroom course required to complete the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path?

While online self-paced courses are always available, registration for instructor-led virtual classroom courses depends on the number of course offerings and the number of spots per course.

Learners pursuing the option to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path are not given priority to register for instructor-led virtual classroom courses. As these courses are listed in the learning catalogue, they are open to public servants across the country and filled on a first-come first-served basis.

If a particular instructor-led virtual classroom course offering is full, you may want to register for a later offering. In the interim, you can register for another available virtual classroom course and take online self-paced courses that are part of the core curriculum. While all core learning options in the Leadership Learning Path are required to earn the certificate, they can be completed in any order.

If the difficulty persists, contact the Client Contact Centre for help with registration, technical issues, or other questions.

What is the expected time commitment to complete the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path?

The total required learning in the option to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path is approximately 50 hours. Many successful learners complete the required learning to earn a certificate in 4 months. The amount of supplemental, non-required learning can be tailored to suit your self-identified needs and interests.

There is no set timeline to complete the Leadership Learning Path. You can access these learning products and personalize your learning at your preferred pace.

The courses can be completed in any order. While online self-paced courses are always available, registration for instructor-led virtual classroom courses depends on the number of offerings and the number of spots per course.

Discuss your learning goals with your manager. It is also recommended that you establish a schedule and allow yourself time between topics so you can implement what you are learning. This will help you to consolidate your learning over the longer term.

How can I maintain progress towards earning the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path?

There are several practical ways for learners to stay on track toward completing the requirements to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path:

Start with a plan: Review the core courses in each perspective, choose your preferred order, and balance topics you want to improve on with those reinforcing existing skills. Discuss your plan with your manager.

Prioritize registration for instructor-led courses: Register early, as spaces are limited, and fill scheduling gaps with self-paced online courses. If a course is full, sign up for a later offering.

Integrate learning into your routine: Block regular time for courses, aim for steady progress, and treat scheduled sessions as firm commitments.

Build in accountability: Add the Path to your learning plan, partner with a colleague, and update your manager regularly on your progress.

Apply new learning right away: Use new leadership skills in your role, share insights with colleagues, and space courses to allow some time to apply what you have learned.

Use tracking tools and celebrate milestones: Track progress on the platform and celebrate completed courses and earned badges to keep motivated.

Adjust as needed: Revisit your plan when workloads shift, choosing longer or shorter courses to either accelerate or simply maintain momentum.

How will the Leadership Learning Path remain current and relevant?

The curriculum choices available in the Leadership Learning Path are carefully curated to provide the richest possible learning experience for public servants pursuing individualized and self-directed leadership development. An appropriate mix of learning products provides you with comprehensive exposure to priority leadership topics.

As new learning products are developed by the Canada School of Public Service or licensed from approved third-party learning product vendors, they will be considered for inclusion in the Leadership Learning Path. Some learning products will be added, and some may be replaced. If you are pursuing the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you will retain credit for courses already taken and will not be required to complete direct replacements. If you are registered for a course that will be removed, the School will give you sufficient advance notice to complete the course, if you choose.

Your feedback on the Leadership Learning Path also contributes to improving its content and user-friendliness. Send us your feedback to transferable@csps-efpc.gc.ca or complete a short MS Forms questionnaire.

If I have already completed a core course that is being replaced in the Leadership Learning Path, do I need to complete the replacement course to earn the certificate of completion?

Over time, new learning products will be considered for inclusion in the Leadership Learning Path. Some learning products will be added, and others may be replaced.

  • Replacement courses: If you are pursuing the option of the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you will retain credit for courses already taken and will not need to complete the replacement courses to earn the certificate of completion.
  • New courses: If you are pursuing the option of the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you can track your progress in the learning platform. When you complete all required courses under one of the four perspectives, you will earn a badge for that perspective, and you will not be obligated to complete any new courses added under that perspective. Our goal is to ensure a consistent number of core courses and hours of learning to earn the certificate of completion.

In all cases, you may choose to complete replacement or new courses to deepen your knowledge or increase your skills, just as you may do with all the supplemental learning choices available in the Leadership Learning Path.

Perspectives

Perspectives

Overview

The Leadership Learning Path is organized according to four perspectives. Each perspective includes curated learning products to support your professional development goals.

Self:
Developing as a leader

Team:
Leading teams

Stewardship:
Public service operations

Imperatives:
Public service in evolution
Self

Self: Developing as a leader

Enhanced self-awareness and wellness are essential to developing as a leader. They empower you to cultivate more effective decision-making skills and a mindset that encourages continuous personal and professional advancement. This section features two topics:

Self-perception is all about how to have the ability to know yourself, know your emotions, accept yourself the way you are, have self-confidence.

David Cory
President and Founder of the Emotional Intelligence Training Company and
Certified Master Trainer in Emotional Intelligence
Self-Awareness

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is fundamental to developing as a leader. It serves as a cornerstone for goal setting, helps you highlight areas for improvement, and fosters continuous learning and personal enhancement.

No matter the field it's exercised in, leadership is something that comes from the whole person, with their qualities but also their flaws, their gifts as well as their shortcomings, their strengths and their weaknesses, their skills and their weak points.

Laurent Lapierre
HEC Montréal, Université de Montréal

In addition to the products noted here, voluntary self-assessments are valuable tools. You are encouraged to complete the emotional intelligence self-assessment at Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.

Self-awareness: Core learning

A total of 5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Self-awareness: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

Videos:

Job aids:

Back to top

Wellness

Wellness

Wellness strategies and practices foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being, enabling leaders to adeptly navigate stressors, cultivate resilience, and sustain peak performance. Leaders who prioritize self-care and employ stress mitigation techniques not only enhance their overall health and leadership efficacy but also serve as role models of these behaviours for their teams.

Build a community, get to know people, have friends who can help you, support you, even if you can't talk to them about everything. You should have people who can give you advice or just listen to you.

Yaprak Baltacioğlu
Retired Secretary of the Treasury Board

Wellness: Core learning

A total of 3 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Wellness: Supplemental learning

Job aids:

Videos:

Podcasts:

Learning paths:

Other (external)

Back to top

Team

Team: Leading teams

Successful team leaders exhibit competencies in effective communication, cultivating an inclusive and collaborative team culture, and demonstrating adaptability, strategic thinking, and the capacity to navigate and lead through change towards shared objectives. This section features six topics:

So, leadership, for me, means being able to actually have the art of being able to get things done through other people. And that's why you need the connection. So, that was a big emphasis of mine, as a leader, is just how I'm connecting.

Cassie Doyle
Retired Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada
Strategy and visioning

Strategy and visioning

Strategy and visioning enable leaders to guide and inspire their teams by offering direction, motivation, and a decision-making framework, thereby ensuring team alignment, adaptability, and empowerment to attain success.

And so, to me, leadership is all about the ability to take people towards a vision with a purpose, and in the process, they grow beyond their wildest expectations.

Anil Arora
Retired Chief Statistician of Canada

Strategy and visioning: Core learning

A total of 1 hour of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Strategy and visioning: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

Videos:

Learning paths:

Back to top

Common challenges

Common challenges

Common challenges for new leaders include delegating, goal setting and problem solving. Proactively addressing and navigating them will foster a smoother transition towards effectively leading their teams.

I realized very quickly that it was not up to my team to adapt to my management and leadership style. It was up to me to invent the management and leadership style adapted to this team in a context and under circumstances. And so, adaptability is part of the ability to embrace the great diversity of the organizations we lead.

Jocelyne Bourgon
President of Public Governance International and
former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Common challenges: Core learning

A total of 5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Common challenges: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

Videos:

Back to top

Effective communication and impactful conversations

Effective communication and impactful conversations

Effective communication and impactful conversations are indispensable to leadership as they foster understanding, nurture collaboration, cultivate trust, empower positive change within teams and enable tangible results.

In my experience, leadership is a lot about listening. Listening to the open and honest debates we need. In these uncertain times, when the standard operating procedures just don't work anymore, rigorous debate is the best path to the best decisions.

Michael Sabia
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Effective communication and impactful conversations: Core learning

A total of 8 hours of core learning is required in this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Effective communication and impactful conversations: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

Job aids:

Videos:

Podcasts:

Articles:

Learning paths:

Other (external):

Back to top

Human-centred workplaces

Human-centred workplaces

In human-centred workplaces, leaders must focus on understanding, valuing, and prioritizing the needs, well-being, and growth of team members, resulting in improved satisfaction, engagement, and organizational outcomes.

Today's leadership is how do you lead with amazing listening, with empathy, the sense of being a servant to your leadership team and really understanding the system within which they work, and to actually lead, and inspire them and trust them.

Anil Arora
Retired Chief Statistician of Canada

Human-centred workplaces: Core learning

A total of 7 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Human-centred workplaces: Supplemental learning

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Job aids:

Videos:

Back to top

Inclusive leadership

Inclusive leadership

Inclusive leadership is about establishing a sense of belonging and trust for all public servants, which is both a moral imperative and a strategic advantage. Inclusive leadership helps achieve organizational success by fostering innovation, enhancing decision-making, attracting top talent, and cultivating a positive workplace culture.

Inclusion doesn't happen on its own. It takes reflection, action and allyship. As public servants, we all share the responsibility to foster workplaces where people feel safe, empowered and valued for who they are.

Michael Sabia
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

— Nathalie G. Drouin, Ad. E.
Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and
National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister

— Christiane Fox
Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet
and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Inclusive leadership: Core learning

A total of 2.5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Inclusive leadership: Supplemental learning

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Micro-courses

Videos:

Job aids:

Learning paths:

Back to top

Leading change

Leading change

Leading change involves guiding teams through rapidly evolving environments, aligning them with new goals, and ensuring transparent communication to maintain engagement and morale. Effective change leadership empowers teams to be resilient and successful in dynamic circumstances and situations.

Change management is the core mission of public institutions. So that means the ability to anticipate, the ability to see things coming, the ability to discern what works and what works less well and to say so, the ability to make corrections.

Jocelyne Bourgon
President of Public Governance International and
former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Leading change: Core learning

A total of 4.5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Leading change: Supplemental learning

Job aids:

Articles:

Videos:

Other (external):

Back to top

Stewardship

Stewardship: Public service operations

Possessing a wide variety of functional skills is imperative for leaders in the public service of Canada to ensure effective governance, policy implementation, financial and resource management, and compliance. This contributes to the overall success of public service operations and the delivery of services to the people of Canada. This section features four topics.

To deepen your understanding of what effective stewardship looks like at the highest levels of the public service, explore this video series featuring leadership reflections from former deputy ministers:

We recognize the importance of managing our resources in a manner that upholds and promotes our shared value of stewardship. Going forward, we will deliver the Government's commitment to improving government efficiency and accountability as part of a broader economic strategy for Canada.

Our shared values of integrity and stewardship will remain front of mind as we continue to hold ourselves accountable for measurable results.

32nd Annual Report to the Prime Minister of the Public Service of Canada
Collective responsibility

Collective responsibility

Collective responsibility in the public sector is about stewardship. This is integral to leadership and involves responsibly and effectively managing public resources, maintaining public trust, and ensuring that decisions and actions align with broader departmental priorities.

Accountability is about commitment. It is about initiative – it is about taking that extra step that no one may have asked you to take, but that is often needed to make something a success.

Michael Sabia
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

The Canada School of Public Service provides public servants with learning opportunities on the craft of government and their related obligations and accountabilities.

Learn more about these topics and learning products in the learning catalogue. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and individual departments consider many of these learning products as mandatory learning for employees. Additional support for public servants who progress into leadership roles is available in the resources listed in the supplemental learning section that follows or by exploring associated topics in the learning catalogue.

Collective responsibility: Core learning

A total of 1.5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Collective responsibility: Supplemental learning

Public service leaders exercise stewardship within the scope of the following topics. For each of these topics, one or more sample learning products are offered for learners at all levels. Additional products useful to specialists in these areas are offered in a variety of formats in the learning catalogue.

Authority delegation

Learning paths:

A series of online self-paced courses provides learners with the essential information they need to successfully obtain and execute their delegated authorities as managers or executives. The courses are available to all learners for career development purposes. Learn more at Authority Delegation Training Program.

Decision-making and accountability

Virtual classroom courses:

Emergency management

Online self-paced courses:

Finance

Online self-paced courses:

Human resources

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Note: The Canada School of Public Service courses HR-to-Pay for Managers (COR137) and HR-to-Pay for Employees (FON308) should be completed by all members of their target groups, except for those in the following organizations:

  • Canada Border Services Agency
  • Statistics Canada
  • Transport Canada
  • Canadian Space Agency

These organizations have their own human resources systems. Employees of these organizations will continue to complete the appropriate training listed at HR-to-Pay Stabilization Training.

Materiel management

Online self-paced courses:

Policy

Learning paths:

Real property management

Online self-paced courses:

Regulations

Job aids:

Security

Online self-paced courses:

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Project and product management and agile practices

Project and product management and agile practices

Project and product management and agile practices play a pivotal role in the successful planning, execution, and completion of government projects. Furthermore, they help leaders oversee the delivery of digital and digitally enabled products and services, ultimately providing consistent value to the people of Canada.

Agile's flexible values and principles can be adapted to various fields and can provide teams with guidance on how to be more user-focused, iterative, and incremental in their approaches. These values and principles are slowly becoming a new cultural norm in the public service and provide a safe space for teams to fail, adapt, improve, and iterate repeatedly to deliver value to the people served by the GC.

Adopting Agile Methods in the Public Service (DDN2-A11)

Project and product management and agile practice: Core learning

There is currently no core learning for this topic. Please explore supplemental learning.

Project and product management and agile practice: Supplemental learning

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Learning paths

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Risk management

Risk management

Risk management is about using a systematic approach to determine the optimal course of action for addressing risks while pursuing opportunities. It is a cornerstone for public sector leaders, and it requires strategic decision-making, adaptability, resource optimization, and accountability.

So, if we want to think about risks, we have to redefine our concepts entirely. There is no risk in taking an initiative when the current situation is deteriorating or not working. The risk is maintaining the status quo. There is no risk in thinking differently when the ideas that previously supported us are clearly out of step from reality.

Jocelyne Bourgon
President of Public Governance International and
former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Risk management: Core learning

A total of 2 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Risk management: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

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Values and ethics

Values and ethics

Values and ethics play a critical role in guiding leaders in upholding a strong ethical culture within their teams and across the public sector, as well as, in maintaining public confidence in the integrity of governmental institutions.

In 2025 and beyond, our commitment to upholding our shared values and ethics remains central to how the Public Service earns the trust of Canadians and how it defines excellence.

32nd Annual Report to the Prime Minister of the Public Service of Canada

Values and ethics: Core learning

A total of 2 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Values and ethics: Supplemental learning

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Imperatives

Imperatives: Public service in evolution

Several areas for action have been identified to help achieve our shared goal of a world-class public service equipped to serve the people of Canada. Each sets common expectations for leaders, and empowers them to take practical steps, both small and large, to achieve success. This section features six topics:

The federal public service, at the end, sees all of Canada's most difficult issues in some way, shape or form. And if you want to be a part of that public service, you're going to be a part of those biggest problems and challenges that Canada has at some point in time.

Daniel Quan-Watson
Retired Deputy Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Digital, data and artificial intelligence

Digital, data and artificial intelligence

An increased focus on digital, data and artificial intelligence is part of a leadership commitment to deliver modern programs, policies and services that are high quality, accessible, secure, efficient and tailored to meet current and emerging needs of Canadians.

We will look to improve public service productivity by deploying technology responsibly. We will do this while strengthening our digital skills and capacity so that we can keep pace as new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, continue to emerge.

32nd Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada

Digital, data and artificial intelligence: Core learning

A total of 4.5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Virtual classroom courses:

Online self-paced courses:

Digital, data and artificial intelligence: Supplemental learning

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Democratic institutions

Democratic institutions

Democratic institutions are the organizational structures, processes, and practices in Canadian society that uphold the principles and support the functioning of our democratic system of governance. Leaders in the public service of Canada are committed to improving, strengthening and protecting Canada's democratic institutions.

If we have learned anything from the turbulent world we live in, it should be to never take for granted our democratic system of government, and the institutions that support it and make it work.

Michael Sabia
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Democratic institutions: Core learning

A total of 1.5 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Democratic institutions: Supplemental learning

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Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion in the public service of Canada is a collective obligation and opportunity, for which all leaders are expected to take practical actions that drive systemic change. This will ensure that the full capacity of our entire pool of talent is available to serve Canadians.

Delivering excellence to Canadians requires a public service that reflects the country's diversity and upholds its foundational values—respect for people, integrity, and excellence. When public servants feel safe, valued, and empowered, they can fully contribute to meaningful, effective service.

32nd Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada

Equity, diversity and inclusion: Core learning

A total of 1 hour of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Equity, diversity and inclusion: Supplemental learning

Virtual classroom courses:

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Indigenous reconciliation

Indigenous reconciliation

Indigenous reconciliation based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships is a shared responsibility of leaders in the public service of Canada. Reconciliation means renewing relationships with Indigenous Peoples and overcoming the systemic inequalities they continue to experience.

Walking the path of reconciliation is a collective responsibility. We are confronting the injustices of the past, listening with empathy and humility, and taking meaningful action to address continued inequalities. This is hard work, but it is necessary for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike. In our diversity, together, we find the tools to build a stronger, more prosperous nation.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon
Governor General of Canada

Indigenous reconciliation: Core learning

A total of 2 hours of core learning is required on this topic to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path.

Online self-paced courses:

Indigenous reconciliation: Supplemental learning

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Innovation and service excellence

Innovation and service excellence

Innovation and service excellence are focal points for leaders in the public service of Canada to better serve citizens, respond to changing circumstances, and operate efficiently and effectively.

Excellence in the design and delivery of public sector policy, programs and services is beneficial to every aspect of Canadian public life.

Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector

Innovation and service excellence: Core learning

There is currently no core learning for this topic. Please explore supplemental learning.

Innovation and service excellence: Supplemental learning

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Climate change

Climate change

Climate change is a whole-of-society challenge that leaders in the public service of Canada are committed to addressing, including through mitigating its impacts.

Being a climate smart public servant means understanding how climate change affects your work, how your work affects climate change, and being empowered to contribute to solutions.

Lawrence Hanson
Associate Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Climate change: Core learning

There is currently no core learning for this topic. Please explore supplemental learning.

Climate change: Supplemental learning

Online self-paced courses:

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Other (external):

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General inquiries

Contact the School's Client Contact Centre for help with registration, technical issues or other questions.

Feedback

Tell us what you think! To submit your feedback on the Leadership Learning Path content and user experience, please send comments directly to transferable@csps-efpc.gc.ca or complete a short MS Forms questionnaire.

Note: If you complete the core curriculum to earn the Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Learning Path, you will also be invited to complete a feedback questionnaire.

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