The Public Leadership Manifesto
Commit to becoming the most effective
leader you can be.
Recognizing that the work of government is important and that we must get it right, it is time that we, as public servants, take responsibility for our own development as leaders.
Most government employees were drawn to public service out of a desire to make a difference in the world. Effective leaders connect employees to the mission of their organization and unleash their talents and creativity to advance that mission. Employees who are well-trained, highly-motivated, and working as a team can do amazing things. Effective leadership at every level can, thus, drive agency performance.
Leadership in the government context is as challenging as it is important. We face intense scrutiny from the public, the media and congress; we have limited control of our budgets; we face complex rules and processes related to hiring, firing and procurement; and the size of our organizations tends to foster bureaucratic attitudes that can make it difficult to get things done.
The fact that it is hard does not diminish our responsibility to learn how to lead well.Leadership is a choice. We must choose optimism over cynicism, self-empowerment over passivity, and professional growth over stagnation.
To this end, I resolve to:
Leadership development is a lifelong process. By signing below I am affirming my commitment to the hard work required to become the most effective leader I can be.
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