The challenges of leading in the public interest: a new paradigm for public leadership in a post-pandemic world?

Abstract

This volume could not be timelier given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing global challenges throughout its authorship. The chapter outlines why we need a post-pandemic public leadership paradigm. Asking 'why?' is the first of six intelligent leadership questions followed by 'what?', 'when', 'how?', 'where?' and 'who?' New Public Leadership' was first defined twelve years ago. A common feature of discussion considers the importance of NPL as goal-directed and relationship-oriented supported by intelligence-led approaches across networks. Creating the capability and capacity of leaders to respond to the public leadership challenges through integrated problem-solving techniques is essential. The aim of NPL remains the creation and demonstration of public value as assessed by satisfying the public interest. Often attributed to Einstein is the equally poignant advice that we should "count what counts and not what can be counted". This is the challenge that the opening chapter lays down.