National Managers' Community (NMC)/ Resources and Initiatives

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The NMC makes available a diverse range of initiatives and resources designed to support managers and aspiring managers.

Here’s an overview:

Interdepartmental co-development group

Interdepartmental co-development group Looking for a practice-based development activity? Feeling isolated and want to connect with your peers? Do you want to develop your leadership skills? Feeling like you’re at an impasse with a professional situation? Are you wondering how to have a difficult conversation? Would you like to improve your communication skills (active listening and giving feedback)? Join an interdepartmental co-development group, in English or French, led by a manager-coach.

Registration for Interdepartmental Co-development Groups 2025–26

Expression of Interest Form to be a Facilitator-Coach: Co-development Group

What is a codevelopment group?

• A group of people who help each other in their respective development.
• A training approach that allows people to learn from each other in order to improve and consolidate their management practices.
• A structured consultation exercise that focuses on real situations.
• Members take turns acting as clients, presenting a real situation, and as consultants, helping the client to enrich their understanding and capacity for action. Consultants are encouraged to ask questions rather than suggest explanations and solutions.
• Participants are encouraged to complete a personal diary to identify and document what they have learned in each session, and thus achieve long-term change.
• Facilitated by a facilitator (trained to manage the consultation process).
• With a commitment to continuity, attendance, confidentiality and adherence to agreed rules.

Time investment: In general, members meet once a month for 3 hours and sessions are from October to June.

What it takes to be a participant

• Minimum of one year’s experience in management/supervision.
• Commitment to attend meetings.
• Obtain approval from your immediate supervisor.

What it takes to be a facilitator (coach)

• Have a recognized training in co-development group facilitation.
• Or have already participated in a co-development group.
• Significant management experience at middle or senior level.

For further information, consult Co-development in summary, what is it (in French only) and have a look at this video: "Developing yourself with a co-development group" and Capsules vidéo | Codev-Action

Peer Coaching Circles (PCC) for Federal Managers, Team Leads and Supervisors

Thank you for your interest in the NMC's Peer Coaching Circles! While registration for the 2025–2026 cycle is now closed, you can still join the waitlist by completing this form! As spots open up, waitlisted individuals will be contacted in order.

What is a Peer Coaching Circle (PCC)?

Feeling isolated? Facing a tough conversation? Leading a new project? PCCs offer a confidential, peer-supported space to explore challenges, share insights, and build leadership skills—guided by a trained facilitator.

What You’ll Gain:

• A safe, non-judgmental space to discuss real workplace challenges
• Hands-on experience with coaching tools and open-ended questions
• Peer networking and collaborative learning
• Practical strategies for leadership and resilience

Time Commitment: Circles meet every 4–6 weeks for 1 hour. The 2025–2026 cycle runs from September 2025 to June 2026.

Questions? Reach out to nmc-cng@csps-efpc.gc.ca with the subject line: Peer Coaching Circles.

Note: In the Quebec region, “Co-development” groups is another initiative offered for managers and supervisors.

Resources for New Members:

• NMC Presentation: Orientation to Peer Coaching Circles

• Joining a Peer Coaching Circle? What to Expect (video)

• Selecting a Coaching Topic (video)
• Selecting and Sharing a Coaching Topic (TRN4-J37) (job aid)
• Using the GROW Model in a Coaching Approach (TRN4-J31)(job aid)
• Peer Coaching Process: Using the GROW Model Approach (TRN4-J32)(job aid)

More Resources

Canada School of Public Service coaching courses:

• Coaching for Effective Leadership (TRN402)  (3-hour virtual course)(prerequisite for TRN401)

• Developing Successful Coaching Relationships (TRN439) (1-hour online self-paced course)
• Introduction to Peer Coaching (TRN401) (3-hour virtual course)
• Introduction to Coaching (TRN4-V21) (micro-video)

Practical Guide for Aspiring Executives

This practical guide is the result of a partnership between the National Managers’ Community (NMC) and the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada (APEX).

While the content is largely based on the APEX Practical Guide for New Executives, it has been adapted to suit the broader needs of the middle management community, with a special focus on leadership assessment and readiness for an executive role, as well as tangible tips and advice on how to prepare for competitions at the EX level.

Link to Practical Guide for Aspiring Executives (pdf fie

Tools for Leadership and Learning Toolkit

Created in 2002, this publication showcases a range of tools and practices utilized by managers and practitioners across the public service. These resources helped us enhance our ability to navigate and adapt to the evolving roles within a knowledge-based economy and society. They offered practical, easy-to-apply methods for fostering dialogue and cultivating a culture of learning within organizations.

Link to Toolkit: Tools for Leadership and Learning: Building a Learning Organization (pdf file)