Rise to the unique challenges of the modern public sector
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Resilience, integrity and effectiveness: these leadership qualities have been put under a microscope in today’s COVID-19 affected public sector, one which is characterised by volatile and uncertain conditions. Performance expectations are high, and not always easy to define or discern, and accountability and public scrutiny is increasing.
But the role of public sector Deputy leaders has always been complex and challenging. Deputies are responsible for significant budget, policy, service and people leadership, but also share accountability for their organisation’s success and have stewardship obligations that extend to the broader sector and service system.
Deputies operate at the political-administrative interface, which is changing dramatically as shifts in the style and conduct of politics and government collide with a growing menu of complex, tough and urgent public problems.
Deputies also need to be able to confidently lead in a digital environment which demands effective use of digital, data and design tools as well as mindsets for policy, regulation and service delivery outcomes patterned increasingly by empathy, competence and trust.
This program will challenge Deputies in the early stages of their role to explore all aspects of responsibilities specific to this role, stretch their thinking about effective performance and as individuals and a cohort, achieve and share insights for impact and influence.
The new program, which has already been run very successfully with an initial cohort of Deputies from across Australia and New Zealand, has been designed by co-directors Kathryn Anderson and Martin Stewart-Weeks, who bring strong practical experience as well as leading contemporary theory about public sector leadership.
Frequently asked questions
This program is for Deputies of public sector organisations across Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand (and possibly beyond) and is tailored to early stage Deputies of departments and statutory entities, rather than those who are more experienced at that level.
It is designed to support the successful transition of senior executives to Deputy level and equip participants with tools to make them more flexible and effective in their roles.
The Deputies Leadership Program grounds contemporary academic thinking on public administration with lived experience leading at Deputy level. The program presenters bring a mix of theory and senior leadership and practice, reflecting a complementary set of skills, backgrounds and approaches. The course takes the best of research and practice and blends them in lively and practical collaborative learning.
The opportunity to be part of a network of high performing Deputies across Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand is a key feature of this program. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of what is required to excel as Deputies, and a clear sense of what CEOs, Secretaries and equivalents need and want from them.
Participants will grow their understanding of themselves - their leadership styles, their drivers and their aspirations – and build resilience to lead with integrity.
Throughout the Deputies leadership program you will:
The program will be jointly led by Kathryn Anderson and Martin Stewart-Weeks.
Kathryn Anderson served as a Deputy Secretary in two departments in the Victorian Public Service, and has worked across jurisdictions in policy, program and corporate roles. She is now a Partner at Cube Group, a consultancy working exclusively with the public purpose sector. Kathryn is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration (IPAA) Victoria.
Martin Stewart-Weeks has been a Ministerial Chief of Staff, public servant in Canberra and Sydney and an advisor, facilitator and writer at the intersection of policy, public sector management and leadership and technology for the past 30 years. He held executive roles in the innovation and strategy group at Cisco Systems and is the founder and principal of Public Purpose Pty Ltd. With Simon Cooper, Martin is the co-author of Are We There Yet? The Digital Transformation of Government and the Public Sector in Australia (Longueville Media, 2019)
The program will be delivered virtually over three months and is designed to enable participants to learn from each other's experiences and challenges. It will be highly interactive, with small group discussions forming a central part of the program delivery.
Dates:
Module 1: 12 & 13 July
Module 2: 15 & 16 August
Module 3: 12 & 13 September
Cost: $16,000 AUD, excl GST
Please note, places are limited to 30.
While course material will be provided to participants who wish to dive more deeply into topics canvassed, the program design recognises the time constraints facing Deputies and will not rely on extensive pre-session work.
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If you have a question, please contact ANZSOG's Program Delivery team with the program name as the subject line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on +61 3 8344 1984.
