Developing Public Service Leaders

Abstract

How can we develop leaders for public service? Are there experiences that would prepare them? And what lessons would they need to learn to become effective public servants? To address this issue, we present relevant research findings and implications for leadership development from the Lessons of Experience – Singapore Public Service research project. This research was initiated in July 2007, and jointly undertaken by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®) with support from the Civil Service College and Public Service Division. We interviewed a total of 36 public service leaders from the levels of Director to Permanent Secretary. The interviewees represented a total of 12 ministries and 18 statutory boards across the various functions of government. The research methodology adapts the critical incident technique and has been replicated over the years in the U.S, the Netherlands, and Japan. With the launch of the Lessons of Experience – Asia project in 2006, this core knowledge is being extended to include how business leaders learn, grow, and develop in India, Singapore, and China. The Singapore project breaks new ground by including public service leaders.