28 October 2024 - The 21st Century Public Servant

The report acknowledges the critical role of Organisational Development (OD) within organisations, enabling public servants to think about how to build systems and cultures that foster these characteristics within the workforce.

The research identified ten characteristics which are themed into three areas:

Working with complexity

1. Operating at the thick end of the complexity wedge (the easy work has already been done)
2. Thinking whole system (taking a long-term and strategic view, despite daily pressures)
3. A sense-exchanger (going beyond sense-making to help others to understand and influence) 

Developing and valuing new ways of working

1. A relationship curator (connecting with residents, senior leaders, councillors and partners with empathy and compassion)
2. Ambidextrous (combining expertise in a professional domain with the ability to lead across services)
3. Multi-lingual (able to communicate in different ways, depending on the audience)
4. A frugal innovator (weaving together resources from threadbare public services)

Thriving in the new environment

1. Data curious and digitally comfortable (making the most of big data and embracing AI)
2. A hybrid operator (connecting in person, on-line, from their kitchen table, in the community)

10. A hardy perennial (keeping going in harsh conditions)

The content can be applied in all organisations but if you are responsible for building the capability of people in your organisation it is essential reading.

https://21stcenturypublicservant.wordpress.com/updating-the-21st-century-public-servant/

Let me know what you think. I am in contact with one of the authors, Catherine, to share ideas and thoughts.