Strategic Leadership in the Public Sector

In good times and bad, in the different situations of renewal, crisis, and chronic resource constraints, the strategic leadership of public services is crucial. Good leaders are essential in helping the public sector to adapt and solve ‘wicked’ problems, and they are also integral to the reform and modernization of public governance. This new edition of Strategic Leadership in the Public Sector continues to provide insights into useful approaches and techniques for strategic leaders, looking at: what is expected of leaders competency frameworks leadership theories techniques and processes of strategic leadership leading strategic change the strategic state emerging leadership challenges. Replete with real-world case studies and examples, and including new material from the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and India, plus an appendix with practical worksheets, the book gives students a truly international outlook on the subject and offers a clear understanding of the significance of leadership, strategic management and public services reform. This textbook represents essential reading for postgraduate students on public management degrees and aspiring or current public managers.

Part I: Leading 1. What is Expected of Leaders 2. The Competent Leader 3. Leaders and Followers 4. Pragmatic Strategic Leaders Part II: Techniques 5. Strategic planning in the public sector 6. Linear strategic thinking 7. Strategic issue management 8. Strategic planning and management 9. Implementation 10. Monitoring 11. Evaluating Part III: Leading and the New Public Governance 12. The Strategic State 13. Economic growth, better regulation, and services Appendix 1. Strategy Workbook Appendix 2. ‘Silent Planning’ Exercise for SMG: Generating Ideas for Action

Paul Joyce is Visiting Professor at Leeds Beckett University, UK, an Affiliated Researcher in the Department of Public Management at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Belgium and an Associate at the Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham, UK.