The Public Leadership Challenge

Organisations have become increasingly dynamic and turbulent in recent years against a background of constant and rapid change. Public sector services are no different and new approaches to leadership are equally required in the public sector. Organisational success will often be linked to the ability of the organisation to develop new ways to manage uncertainty. This is certainly the case in relation to the reform facing all elements of the public sector. It is in this respect that the public leadership challenge has a real potential - in helping public services to react to these changes in a positive way and in a way which will secure continuous improvement.

The Challenge suggests that the introduction of a Public Leadership Style has the potential to draw together the key elements of public service delivery. The initial challenge has been developed following the work outlined earlier (Brookes 2006) and a literature review (some of the key texts are referenced). The aim is to further develop this challenge during the ESRC funded seminar series. The suggested challenge follows a systems based approach which is illustrated in the diagram which follows.