Public Service Leadership Model
Leading Change
Leading change in a rapidly evolving federal environment means initiating, sponsoring and implementing innovative solutions. As a leader, help others succeed at managing change at an individual and organizational level. The five subcompetencies to leading change include:
Vision setting Influence Innovation and creativity Embracing risk and uncertainty Adaptability
Vision Setting
Formulate, communicate and forge the path forward to carry out your vision.
“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.”
– Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Professor and Chair of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
- What is possible for my career? If all barriers were removed, what would I like to see for myself in 5 years?
- What is possible for my team/organization? If all barriers were removed, what would I like to see for my team/organization in 5 years?
- How might I communicate my vision to others?
READ: Four Steps to High-Impact Strategic Planning in Government – Matt Boland, Troy Thomas and Danny Werfel, Current BCG consultants and former government civil servants
READ: How Agency Leaders Can Turn Vision Into Action – Richard Aragon, Andrew Miklos and Claire Schulkey, Contributors at GovExec.com
WATCH: How Great Leaders Inspire Action – Simon Sinek, Author of Start with Why
Influence
Persuade others by establishing credibility and using evidence for your ideas.
“Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.”
– George Washington, first President of the United States
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
- What impression do I want to make on others to establish credibility? What information might I need to give to others?
- What is my default style of influencing others? What other styles might I try?
- When I have a new idea, how might I build buy-in?
READ: In Leadership, Influence is not a Given – Michelle Braden, Forbes Councils Member and CEO of MSBCoach
READ: Situational Leadership: Relevant Then, Relevant Now – The Center for Leadership Studies
WATCH: How to Start a Movement – Derek Sivers, Author, speaker and entrepreneur
Innovation and Creativity
Encourage improvement, adaptation and freedom to experiment.
“If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.”
– Peter F. Drucker, management expert and author
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
- What systems or processes are in place to encourage new ideas and creative thinking on my team?
- When changes or setbacks occur, how do we adapt? Is this approach working?
- What could I address in our office culture that would encourage new, creative ideas and approaches?
READ: Creativity is Not Innovation (But You Need Both) – Business News Daily Editor, Sites: G. Shawn Hunter, Science Times and more
WATCH: What is Design Thinking? – Daylight Design
WATCH: The First Secret of Design is…Noticing – Tony Fadell, Product Designer and Ted Talk Speaker
Embracing Risk and Uncertainty
Make it safe to take risks; support the team regardless of the outcome.
“Be bold, push yourself and get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
– Angie Gels, Chief People Officer at Everything But The House
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
From curing diseases to helping launch the internet, the federal government has a history of innovation that has improved the lives of Americans and advanced societal interests. Despite this legacy, outdated systems, rules and processes hinder innovation at a time when government must grapple with a wide array of critical and complex 21st-century challenges.
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
- How comfortable am I with change? How comfortable are my team members with change?
- When someone on the team makes a mistake, how is that handled?
- How do we learn from failure together?
READ: How to Grow Your Career by Embracing Risk – Arlene S. Hirsch, Career counselor and author
READ: Strategies for Learning from Failure – Amy C. Edmondson, Author and Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School
WATCH: Government – investor, risk-taker, innovator – Mariana Mazzucato, Economist and Ted Talk Speaker
Adaptability
Learn new ways to accomplish goals in ever-changing situations.
“The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.”
– Kakuzo Okakaura, Author and scholar
PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
More so than any crisis in a generation, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a resilient government. The Partnership for Public Service– working with the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council and MeriTalk, and with support from corporate partners– surveyed 300 federal leaders about their lessons learned over the course of the pandemic. This report encapsulates our findings and provides detailed recommendations for future operations, service delivery and policymaking.
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
- What makes adaptability difficult in my work environment? What enables or supports adaptability?
- How might I quickly recognize when an approach is not working?
- What aspects of my leadership style feel least flexible? How might I practice flexing?
READ: Train Your Brain for Change – Daniel Goleman, Author and behavioral scientist
READ: Learn to Adapt – CCL, Center for Creative Leadership
WATCH: 3 Ways to Measure Your Adaptability – Natalie Fratto, Investor and Ted Talk Speaker
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