Flexibility and adaptability are key for successful leadership skills in the public sector, especially during times of great challenges, according to Sam Nutt, a Digital and Data Innovation Researcher at the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI).
He made the remarks during the What Skills Do Public Sector Leaders Need to Face the Challenges Ahead? panel at PSE365’s Learning & Development virtual event.
The panel discussed what skills public sector leaders need to deal with future challenges, such as the ever-changing world of digital and technology, health pandemics and climate change.
Training and upskilling were topics discussed and is seen as being a necessity in the development of public leadership, with Stephen Somerville, a Strategic Business Development Manager at Coursera saying that that “there is a need for much more”.
Continuing, he said that it is the responsibility of employers to keep their staff upskilled.
A key programme in public leadership is the Local Government Association’s (LGA) National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), a two-year fast-track graduate programme for talented individuals to become managers within councils.
The LGA’s Poonam Mistry, an Advisor on the NGDP discussed the programme and said a key component for graduates to be successful on the scheme is to have “the willingness to learn”.
Hosted by broadcast journalist Sameena Ali-Khan, the What Skills Do Public Sector Leaders Need to Face the Challenges Ahead? panel included:
- Daisy Hooper, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Chartered Management Institute
- Sam Nutt, Digital and Data Innovation Researchers, London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI)
- Poonam Mistry, Adviser – National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), Local Government Association (LGA)
- Stephen Somerville, Strategic Business Development Manager, Coursera
- Suzanne Semedo, Head of Culture, Diversity and Wellbeing, Ofcom
You can watch the full PSE365 public sector leadership panel, and more, on demand here.
