Program Page

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 overview

Topics include: 

  • Skills that are specific to the Australian Public Service context
  • Foundational skills of APS Leadership
  • Transaction skills that help to manage process, people, and programs of work effectively
  • Transformational skills and the fundamentals of an APS leader's identity

 

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.

Presenter

A picture of James Samana
James Samana

James Samana

James Samana is a recognised leadership expert across the APS, an engaging speaker, skilled facilitator, experienced professional coach, and insightful learning designer. Past Senior Executive participants of his have said that James’ passion and skill in unlocking the strengths of others has helped them to ‘…step into the fire… and not catch alight!’

Using real world examples from his over 20 years of leadership development, and cutting edge research in psychology, sociology, and leadership development, James delivers workshops that create a path toward insight for each of his participants that is both challenging and supportive.

James has worked in local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as for-profit, and not-forprofit sectors. He has worked in 4 different Australian Public Service departments in policy development, regulation, compliance, HR, community consultation, and many other areas, as well as delivering training to many different agencies! He’s been a conflict resolution officer for Royal North Shore hospital in Sydney, a disability worker for not-for-profits, a palliative care volunteer, has delivered training in correctional institutions and worked as a crisis telephone counsellor. Throughout these (and many other varied) experiences, his passion and ongoing research has led him to help others through founding his passion, the firm called Insightful Path.

James concentrates on helping organisations and individuals across the sectors create workplaces where people can thrive, by providing the proven leadership tools and practices to build self-awareness and mastery. This in turn provides his participants with the confidence and insights to thrive in their work and life.