The Senior Manager Course in National Security Leadership offers lectures from internationally-renowned national security and foreign policy experts regarding multidimensional global challenges. The program gives participants the opportunity to analyze a broad array of subjects, ranging from nuclear proliferation to the national security budget to Latin American security challenges. Below are some examples of topics explored in previous courses:
Framing the Strategic Narrative
Presenter: Dr. Matthew Levinger, NSSP Program Director
How do leaders use “mythic histories” and other narratives to forward a national security objective? How do leader’s connect their “glorious past” with tomorrow’s goals? Dr. Levinger discusses how to craft stories to help reach organizational goals.
The Resilience Imperative
Presenter: Professor Stephen Flynn, Northeastern University
Professor Flynn discusses the common attributes found in social and ecological systems, as well as the role of “translational leadership” in enhancing resilience of social systems under stress.
Nuclear Proliferation: North Korea
Presenter: John Park, Harvard University
What instruments can the U.S. government use to exercise influence over North Korea? Should U.S. policymakers focus their efforts primarily on containing North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, or should they also place a high priority on addressing its human rights violations? Dr. Park explores key issues surrounding U.S. policy toward North Korea.
Clarifying Civil-Military Relations
Presenter: Kori Schake, American Enterprise Institute
Dr. Schake identifies key lessons for senior leaders on how to maintain constructive civil-military relations in an era of increasing political polarization, and assesses challenges posed by recent trends such as the over-representation of retired senior military officials in presidential administrations of both parties.
Negotiation Skills for Senior Leaders
Presenter: Anthony Wanis-St. John, American University
Professor Wanis-St. John leads discussions and exercises focusing on negotiations strategies and tactics. Participants explore key issues for negotiating in an increasingly complex global environment.
Excellent course […] the best I’ve had in my more than 20 years in the Army. All of the lectures were absolutely first-rate and of use to me as I progress into positions of greater strategic responsibility and importance.
