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
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Background
The owner and founder of Partners in Management, a CMI Level 7 Accredited Centre, David is an experienced management professional and academic with specific interests in personal and organisational innovation.
Along with his colleague Chris Sheader, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and proud to be one of its Ambassadors, a role he combines with that of Education Officer for the Central and West Yorkshire Branch.
