Local Public Leadership Development through Social Learning to Face the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

This research aims to give an alternative solution for leadership development in the public sector to face the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). The development of global information technology has demanded public services to adjust to today’s technologies. The problem of this study isthe public sector leaders, who are in the majority consisting of baby boomers generation up to generation X. These generations are not too familiar with technology. Traditional training models cannot improve the competencies of leaders who are predominantly old; adult learning must be developed. They do not need competency development classes, but they need mentoring to learn directly. This is a challenge to the development of local leadership in the public sector against Industry 4.0, which is implicated in the increase of public services based on technology and network. This research uses a qualitative research approach with a case study perspective. The focus of this research is local leadership competencies in the public sector. The data aretaken from primary data by interview and secondary data from literatureanddocuments that are related to the research aims.The results of this study recommend the concept of leader-member exchange, where possible in the process of social learning, to develop public leadership in the era of Industry 4.0. Here, the challenge is the desire and ego of leaders to study with their subordinates.