Good bureaucrat v Good public servant

Good 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭 vs Good 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭:

There is a difference. 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐡 are important.

As leaders in the public service, our role is to serve the common good through serving the the government of the day. We (or our departments) hold the corporate knowledge on how to govern in our policy space, and we use this to advise those who were chosen by the people - in order to serve 'the will of the people'.

Knowing that we live off of the tax payer dollar - we have processes in place to (when it works well) make sure that we are using our resources wisely. Bureaucracy is the system that we use to do this. It has the checks and balances which ensure we are able to be accountable. It can be a force of GOOD, in this regard.

However, it is not as simple as that. Knowing that the public sector serves the elected officials, and our role is to advise based upon the best evidence available and our deep knowledge of the policy/program/regulatory space we are in can create tensions.

We are, each of us, subject to many pressures. These pressures differ, depending on the context we are in. For those in politics, (regardless of what 'brand') there is a pressure to do good for their citizens, but also a pressure to appease their base and thus remain in power.

For those in the public service, there is a pressure to good for the citizens too, and a pressure to appease their politicians and thus retain their role.

Finding the middle path between these pressures is difficult, and is one of the main tensions that I've been seeing in those senior executives I work with.

To navigate that path, and to be both a good 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭 and a good 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭, one needs to employ their self-awareness, their values directed action, as well as their political nous and have the confidence to be supportive and assertive at the same time.

This is no easy task for anyone... but these are skills that can be taught, can be learned, and can even be employed in highly pressurised environments.

How do you handle the balance?

Take some time to think of examples from your own life where you've seen the 'nobility' of good bureaucracy and how this occurred.

Then think of examples from your own life where you've seen the 'nobility' of good public service, and how this occurred.

They most likely are different but equally valuable examples.

Now think of how you, as a public servant leader can move toward incorporating both into your skill set!