What Skills Do You Need for Effective Leadership in the Public Sector?
07 May, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- The key skills for effective leadership in the public sector.
- Why effective leadership is so important in the public sector.
- Where the latest interim jobs are and how to apply for them.
According to the Office for National Statistics in June 2024, there were estimated to be 5.94 million people employed across the public sector, an increase of 76,000 compared to the same month in 2023.
In a populated interim market, where professionals are expected to join an organisation and hit the ground running, updated leadership styles may be needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of local government.
There’s no doubt that ‘organisation’ and ‘time management’ are essential skills for leading a public sector team to success, but for real impact, leaders must be dynamic and adaptable in their management style.
In our latest blog, we’re exploring the key skills for effective leadership and why these skills are desired across the public sector.
What are the key skills for effective leadership in the public sector?
There are a number of skills and personality traits that will equip a public sector worker with the tools for effective leadership, including:
- Self-awareness.
- Adaptability.
- Strategic thinking.
- Negotiation.
- Transparency.
- Crisis management.
Self-awareness
To effectively lead a team to success in the public sector, self-awareness is a crucial skill. The ability to analyse how your skills, experience and leadership will impact others within the team, is critical for achieving short and long-term goals.
Interim recruitment specialist, John Shorrock, says “Self-reflection fosters professional development and to lead a team, you must be confident in your ability and continuously improve your area of expertise.”
Leaders who demonstrate self-awareness are better equipped to spot skill gaps, motivate others in the public sector and manage a team through high pressurised projects or tight deadlines.
Adaptability
The public sector and nature of interim work can be very fast-paced, with interim workers often moving from contract to contract. The ever-changing dynamics of local authority teams and projects within the public sector means that adaptability is highly sought after for leaders and you must be able to react to unexpected changes accordingly.
Strategies to achieve a short or long-term goal may need to be adapted at the drop of a hat and a leader must remain calm to guide their team through uncertainty. The ability to think on your feet is of utmost importance. For example, a public health crisis may throw unexpected challenges at a public health team. In this case, leaders must step up to ensure that all actions taken are done so with the best interests of the public, in accordance with regulation and in coordinated manner.
Strategic thinking
Strategic thinking within the public sector is essential for anticipating how a project will develop and if there are ways in which a team can work smarter. Tight deadlines are common and interim workers are often onboarded to enhance a team. Leaders must use strategic thinking to ensure all team members are working in collaboration.
Strategic thinking is also essential for prioritising needs and allocating team resources effectively to ensure that deadlines are met and goals are achieved. For example, strategic thinking may be used to ensure that green infrastructure is balanced alongside urban growth. A forward-thinking approach must be maintained at all times to ensure public needs are met and public services are up to scratch.
Strategic thinking can also help local authorities identify and resolve any issues before they have a negative impact on the public.
Negotiation
Throughout the public sector, across all public services, diverse needs are inevitable. Therefore, the ability to effectively negotiate and create resolutions that benefit all parties is an essential skill for leaders.
Within local authorities throughout the UK, the best interest of the public should be at the core of all decision-making and competing priorities must be balanced through the power of negotiation.
Effective negotiation can mitigate the possibility of conflict arising, ensures that project goals are achieved, maintains public trust and promotes job satisfaction for interim workers.
Transparency
Honesty and credibility are essential for a leader in any sector. If a team trusts their leader they are more likely to follow in their footsteps and treat them with the necessary respect. Within the public sector, leaders must maintain transparency at all times and be authentic in their leadership style.
Interim workers are skilled individuals, typically used thanks to their enhanced skill set and industry expertise. It’s essential that leaders do not patronise these professionals and instead make them feel valued, no matter how short their contract. Transparency builds trust between leaders and employees and encourages accountability within the public sector.
Not only does transparency enhance collaboration between internal teams, it also promotes public confidence, demonstrates how decisions have been made and increases support for decision-making within local authority and public sector organisations.
Crisis management
Crisis management is essential in the public sector where challenges and conflicts can damage the reputation of a local authority and destroy public trust. Should a crisis emerge, public sector leaders must stay calm and take the steps needed for effective damage control.
Interim workers are sometimes hired within a local authority to guide them through a crisis and maintain a good reputation. Whether it’s a cyber security threat or PR issue, the ability to hire an interim worker at short notice can be beneficial. Leaders must ensure that challenges are overcome swiftly with minimal disruption to a public service.
Why is effective leadership so important in the public sector?
Effective leadership can make a significant impact within the public sector and interim market. Services provided by local authorities and public sector organisations have the ability to enhance the lives of communities throughout the UK and therefore teams must be led by a competent professional.
Successful leadership is essential for ensuring accountability, compliance, innovation and a high standard of service delivery across the public sector. Failure to lead a team effectively could result in disruption to existing services, damage to public trust and conflict within public sector teams.
Interim jobs
If you’re searching for your next interim job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Interim recruitment services
As interim recruitment specialists, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary and interim recruitment needs.
We operate across a number of specialisms including Health & Social Care, Nursing, IT and Corporate Functions.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with Lead Consultant, John Shorrock on 01772 954200 to see how we can help?
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.
In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
