Achieving Results Public Service Leadership Model Achieving Results Achieving results means managing skillfully, thinking strategically and making good decisions that deliver measurable outcomes and improve the quality of life for the nation and the world. The five subcompetencies to achieving results include: Accountability Evidence-based decision-making Systems thinking Tech savviness Customer experience Accountability Hold others accountable and accept responsibility for the consequences of your decisions. “Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.” – Bob Proctor, international best-selling author, coach, and speaker PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Responsibility vs. Accountability Responsibility is great, and has its place, but accountability is the “secret sauce” for leaders to set a culture for teams to build trust and rebound from mistakes and learning moments. Thumbnail for Holding Volkswagen Accountable Holding Volkswagen Accountable Learn how Phillip A. Brooks, Byron Bunker, and Josh H. Van Eaton conducted a steadfast investigation to hold Volkswagen accountable for rigging more than a half million vehicles to evade pollution regulations. Thumbnail for Results and Metrics Results and Metrics Charlie Bolden discusses how results need to be accompanied by metrics so that you can prescribe greater meaning to the changes being made. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS Why is accountability important in my work environment? What are the benefits? When something goes wrong in my purview of work, how likely am I to take responsibility? What gets in the way of taking ownership over my work? What do people fear about accountability? How could these fears be mitigated? Additional resources READ: 5 Ways to Promote Accountability – Andrew Robertson and Nate Dvorak, Consultants and researchers at Gallup READ: 4 Ways to Improve Accountability in your Office – Jackson Nickerson, Associate Dean at Brookings Executive Education and GovExec contributer READ: The Best Teams Hold Themselves Accountable – Joseph Grenny, Harvard Business Review Related competencies Innovation and creativity Continuous learning Evidence-based decision making Evidence-based Decision-making Make choices grounded in the best available information and data. “Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion” – W. Edwards Deming, renowned data scientist PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Thumbnail for Search and Rescue Technology Search and Rescue Technology Read how Arthur A. Allen used years of research to create the life-saving Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS). Improving Outcomes in Government through Data and Intelligent Automation Organizations are redefining, improving and maturing operational processes and creating intelligent workflows that combine intelligent automation technology with new ways to get work done. In… Thumbnail for From Data to Decisions II: Building an Analytics Culture From Data to Decisions II: Building an Analytics Culture The Partnership for Public Service and the IBM Center for The Business of Government released, “From Data to Decisions II: Building an Analytics Culture.” This… REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS What are my trusted sources for facts, and how do I use these sources in my work? How do I know when I have “enough” information to make a decision? How can I best weigh facts and data with emotions and other considerations? Additional resources READ: A Leader’s Framework for Decision Making – David J. Snowden and Mary E. Boone, Harvard Business Review contributors READ: Evidence, Facts and Intuition in Decision Making – IdeasforLeaders.com READ: The Need for Analytics in Government Decision-making – Steve Bennett, SAS Global Government Practice and Federal Times contributor Related competencies Continuous learning Adaptability Accountability Systems Thinking Learn how to navigate the unique government system. “Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It’s a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing ‘patterns for change’ rather than static ‘snapshots’.” – Peter Senge, systems scientists and lecturer at MIT PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Thumbnail for A Roadmap to the Future: Toward a More Connected Federal Government A Roadmap to the Future: Toward a More Connected Federal Government The federal landscape is expected to change dramatically in the next decade as the power and capacity of technology advance, more data becomes available and… Thumbnail for Leading in Complex Times Leading in Complex Times Hear Admiral Thad Allen talk about how leading in complex times requires co-production across boundaries, supported by continuous learning and emotional intelligence. Thumbnail for Protecting the Environment and Health of Millions of People Protecting the Environment and Health of Millions of People Learn about Jacob Moss’ efforts to build an alliance of federal and international agencies, countries and corporations to bring more efficient cook stoves and cleaner burning fuels to homes in developing nations, protecting the environment and the health of millions of people worldwide. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS If explaining my work environment to others, how would I describe it? What factors make it unique? Who are the key decision-makers, stakeholders and influencers within my organization? What are some ways that my colleagues and I can first learn, and then better navigate our work environment? Additional resources READ: Tackling Management Challenges at the Department of Homeland Security – Tom Fox, Former VP, Leadership Development at the Partnership for Public Service and contributor to Washington Post READ: Implementing Cross-Agency Collaboration: A Guide for Federal Managers – Jane Fountain, Professor at University of Massachusetts and BusinessofGovernment.org contributor READ: A User’s Guide to Getting Things Done in Government – Alexis Wichowski, Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and GovExec.com contributor Related competencies Collaboration Relationship-building Continuous learning Technology Acumen Understand the importance of technology and how it can improve organizational outcomes. “Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don’t think anyone can talk meaningfully about one without talking about the other.” – Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Thumbnail for Immersive technologies: A future way to train and prepare employees for achieving agency missions Immersive technologies: A future way to train and prepare employees for achieving agency missions Immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, are a collection of technologies that change or enhance our physical environment. Learn more about how federal agencies are… Thumbnail for More Than Meets AI More Than Meets AI The Partnership and the IBM Center for The Business of Government explore how artificial intelligence will affect federal work and the federal workforce. Thumbnail for Cracking the Code: Harnessing the Exponential Power of Technology Cracking the Code: Harnessing the Exponential Power of Technology The Partnership and Booz Allen Hamilton identify how the government uses artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and edge computing to drive operations. Topics include how agencies can… REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS In what areas of technology am I strong? How might I offer assistance to others? In what areas of technology am I weak? How might I bridge that gap or learn what I need to know? How might I stay up-to-date on the latest trends and tools? Additional resources READ: A Tech-Savvy Government – Roxy Torrer, Former ATD Staff and author READ: Government Needs Tech-Savvy Leaders to Succeed, Says Outgoing OMB Chief – Kellie Lunney, Senior Correspondent at GovExec.com READ: 5 Ways You Can Instantly Become More Tech Savvy – Drew Hendricks, Marketing Manager at Nextiva and BusinessCollective.com contributor Related competencies Innovation and creativity Continuous learning Embracing risk and uncertainty Customer Experience Act with internal and external customers in mind. “How you think about your customer influences how you respond to them.” – Marilyn Suttle, Customer Service author and speaker PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Thumbnail for Leading with Experience Leading with Experience A Framework for Customer-Focused Leadership in Government Good leadership enables our government to more effectively respond to public needs. The Partnership for Public Service and Maximus Federal address how individual leaders can… Thumbnail for Reducing Medical Errors Reducing Medical Errors Learn how Paul McGann, Jean D. Moody-Williams, and Dennis Wagner created an innovative public-private sector initiative at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to increase patient safety and reduce readmissions to U.S. hospitals – in part by incorporating the views of the patients and families into the initiative. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS What do my customers care most about? How well is my organization currently meeting customer needs and wants? What else might we be doing? How will excellent customer service lead to greater ability to meet our mission? Additional resources READ: Improving the Customer Experience to Achieve Government-Agency Goals – Tony D’Emidio, David Malfara, and Kevin Neher, McKinsey & Company READ: Defining Your Role in Government Customer Service – GovLoop WATCH: How Airbnb Designs for Trust – Joe Gebbia, Co-founder of Airbnb and Ted Talk Speaker Related competencies Innovation and creativity Self-reflection Relationship-building © 2025 Partnership for Public Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
