This course provides leaders within the public service the essential elements of success for not only surviving, but thriving as a public service leader. Across the course modules you will explore the pragmatic tools of high performing public service leaders, as well as the skills, philosophies, and frameworks which will enable you to build your reputation and grow in your career. As you put your learning into practice, you will find transformational insights into your leadership identity and feel more prepared to achieve results in this unique environment.

Course outline

Module 1: The essentials

While leadership skills are multi-contextual, there are certain leadership skills that are specific to the Australian Public Service context. This Module will provide you with an introduction to these skills, and help to build the participant’s understanding of the influences from our system of government and how this impacts on their APS leadership. The three remaining modules of this course will be designed to expand on this as a means to build upon your understanding of the role of public service leader that you are embarking upon.

Module 2: Foundational skills

APS leaders operate in a unique context, which is underpinned by legislation and conventions. These enable public sector leaders to influence in the administration of national policy and how this is carried out. In this module you will look specially at the “ABC’s” of APS Leadership. This module is designed to provide you with the understanding of the foundational skills of APS Leadership which you can rely upon for your success.

Module 3: Transactional skills

As leaders in the APS, your success depends upon your ability to get things done through others. In this module you will learn how to use the small ‘p’ of political savvy, to effectively manage process, people, and programs of work. The work of the module will teach you how to connect authentically with the leadership styles that are required for success across these managerial activities.

Module 4: Transformational skills

All leadership development is ‘identity work’. In this module you will explore the fundamentals of an APS leader’s identity, and the tools they use to build their success as a leader who serves the public good.

Learning outcomes:

APS Leadership Essentials will give you the confidence, understanding and skills to build a career and thrive within a public sector leadership role. Specifically, you will become familiar with the foundational underpinnings of an effective public sector leader, as well as the skills required for working with politics, process, people and programs of work. You will, however, most importantly gain the transformational self-awareness and skills to build your leadership identity as an essential element of your success.

Who should attend?

This course is open for all leaders who want to build a career of making a difference within the public service. While much of the content is taken from the Australian Public Service context, the principles discussed are universal to public / civil service. The topics include universal concepts, such as how to build your political nous, and the role of briefing as a critical decision making tool of public service craft. The course is ideal for those public service leaders who will manage people, budgets, and hold delegated authority.

Within the Australian Public Service this would most often mean EL2 – SES Band 1 (new to Senior Executive leadership levels) as the participants who would benefit the most from the course and its content.

Anticipated behavioural and business impacts

As a leader attending this course you will gain confidence in your knowledge and use of the essential public sector leadership craft. You will build your skills in creating collaborative relationships required for senior roles as a public service leader. You will also learn the skills to create a practice of reflective self-awareness to benefit your career and the common good.