Where will the public sector find its innovative leaders?

It’s often been said that the public sector culture is more about compliance and adherence to procedure and that ownership, accountability and personal prominence are to be avoided at all costs!

Following the Coalition Government’s enforced spending review there is a need for real challenge and innovation throughout the public and third sectors, but innovation requires challenge and leadership at all levels. Managerial competence alone won’t deliver the results now required.

Will these new leaders suddenly appear overnight with the right attitudes, skills and knowledge required?

On my CMI accredited Level 7 programmes designed to cost effectively develop innovative leaders and managers, only 12% are from the public sector (although 24% are from the third sector).  What does this tell us about the emphasis on developing these critical people at this time. British manufacturing has improved enormously since the 80′s on the back of improved management capability at all levels, but it doesn’t happen instantly. Culture and leadership style change takes many years – but a good trauma is a sure kickstart!

My point is simple – effective and efficient services won’t be delivered without improved managerial and leadership at all levels. The existing ways of working will have to change but it will need inspired leadership, education, facilitation, experimentation and much learning to make it succeed. The people experiencing change will need help and support too if they are not to be left traumatised and ineffective as a result.

Is it possible to highlight where, how and which organisations are offering support and developing their staff and managers/leaders?

Can we then share best practice for the benefit of all in these challenging, frightening yet exciting times?

I’ve posted this on the CMI website for further discussion:

http://www.managers.org.uk/forum/management-news/where-will-public-sector-find-its-innovative-leaders-and-achieve-required-cuts#comment-6826

Attitudes to leadership and development in the public sector

Eighteen months ago I launched an innovative, highly cost effective new management development programme based on the CMI Level 7 Diploma, designed to develop the managerial skills required to lead sustainable innovation in our so called age of austerity.

A quick analysis by sector of the participants enrolled shows that;

• 41% are from the finance sector
• 29% are from the third sector
• 18% are from SME’s
• 12% are from the public sector

What does this tell us about attitudes to leadership and development in the public sector and its view on innovation?

Downsizing and delivering more will require new managerial skills and mindsets in the public sctor. Manufacturing went through a radical transformation in the 80′s and 90′s primarily through improving it’s management capability. Will this now happen in the public sector?