Employee Perceptions of Leadership and Performance Management in the Botswana Public Service

Abstract

Public servants in Botswana play an important role as partners in the management of the public sector and national affairs; and, during the past three decades, the country has acquired a reputation for sound development management and good governance. That reputation has been derived primarily from the behavior and performance of the country's public servants who have been motivated to fulfill their duties honestly and effectively. However, in recent years, a culture of indifference and outright laziness has crept into the public service leading to serious bottlenecks in service delivery. This article discusses and analyzes employee perceptions of leadership and performance management in the Botswana public service in light of the country's reputation with respect to the nature and functioning of its public servants.