Leading Change 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 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 Thumbnail for Combatting Veteran Homelessness Combatting Veteran Homelessness By aiming to find shelter for all veterans by 2015, Susan Angell and Mark Johnston used a collaborative approach to help combat veteran homelessness in the United States. Thumbnail for Leading Response Efforts for Disease Crises Leading Response Efforts for Disease Crises Sammies winner Daniel Jernigan combats diseases like Ebola, West Nile virus and SARS. One of his colleagues described him as “able to see very far ahead and where we need to go and find innovative ways to get there.” 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? Additional resources 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 Related competencies Authenticity Evidence-based decision making Influence 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 Thumbnail for The Five Levels of Organizational Influence: Where Are You? The Five Levels of Organizational Influence: Where Are You? Determining where you fit in the organizational power continuum can be a critical component of actively managing your career trajectory. Thumbnail for Restoring a broken health care center Restoring a broken health care center Discover how 2019 Federal Employee of the Year, Victoria Braham, used her unwavering determination to influence change and bolster morale at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Thumbnail for Transforming the Kennedy Space Center Transforming the Kennedy Space Center Sammies winner Robert Cabana transformed the Kennedy Space Center into a multiuser, cross-sector launch site, using influence to change the mindset of many and accomplish this impressive result. 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? Related competencies Relationship building Vision-setting Evidence-based decision making Additional resources 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 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 Thumbnail for Unimagined Vision Unimagined Vision Think about innovation and creativity as short-term goals. How might teams make, create, implement the next best product or service and iterate from there versus having a full long-term plan in place. Thumbnail for Designing a traffic management system Designing a traffic management system Find out how Parimal Kopardekar and his team designed an innovative traffic management system for unmanned aerial vehicles to make way for the large-scale use of commercial drones. Thumbnail for Leading Innovation in Government Leading Innovation in Government In this report, the Partnership for Public Service and Hay Group set out to understand what these leaders have in common that allow them to… 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? Related competencies Adaptability Continuous learning Embracing risk and uncertainty Additional resources 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 Thumbnail for Advice For Dealing With Uncertainty — From People Who’ve Been There Advice For Dealing With Uncertainty — From People Who’ve Been There Read this article, or listen to the podcast, to understand the 7 keys for dealing with uncertainty in the workplace. Thumbnail for Risk and Reward: A Framework for Federal Innovation Risk and Reward: A Framework for Federal Innovation 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… Thumbnail for Trusting Yourself and Taking Chances Trusting Yourself and Taking Chances Sally Jewell, former CEO of REI and former Secretary of the Department of Interior, describe how she and her team took a risk in negotiating with numerous parties to keep a species from being classified as endangered. 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? Related competencies Continuous learning Empowering others Adaptability Additional resources 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 Thumbnail for Resilient: Keeping Your Wits—Workforce, Innovation, Technology, Security—About You Resilient: Keeping Your Wits—Workforce, Innovation, Technology, Security—About You 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… Thumbnail for Bright Spots: Federal Success Stories from the COVID-19 Pandemic Bright Spots: Federal Success Stories from the COVID-19 Pandemic Amid a global pandemic, federal agencies have continued to deliver critical services to the American public. For a deeper look at how our government has… Thumbnail for Sally Jewell on Adaptability Sally Jewell on Adaptability Sally Jewell, former CEO of REI and former Secretary of the Department of Interior, speaks about adaptability. 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? Related competencies Innovation and creativity Continuous learning Evidence-based decision making Additional resources 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 © 2025 Partnership for Public Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
