EL1 – EL2 Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Bootcamp
Learn how to lead at the top of your game, with tips from the top of the public sector
The more you climb the leadership ranks of the public sector, the more is demanded from your leadership. You will gain more responsibility, have more difficult and complex problems to solve, and you will need to understand the distinctions between your own ideas and the demands of the role.
No one understands these demands, and the skills that are needed to meet them, more than Rebecca Skinner PSM. Having led at the highest levels of the APS, including the extra large agency Services Australia during its most challenging times, she knows exactly what it takes from you, your mindset and your skillset to lead in the public sector environment.Â
With an emphasis on capability, accountability and integrity, and a valuable blend of ideas, advice and practical tips, this is a learning and development opportunity that cannot be missed. Join Rebecca for two full days of learning and interactive activities to gain the perspective you need to lead at the very top of your game.Â
Key benefits
Learn and fine-tune the core skills of an EL1-EL2 leader
Cultivate your leadership effectiveness and influence with public service values at the core
Understand what true authentic leadership means in the APS by balancing professionalism and candour
Confidently lead through crisis, uncertainty and change
Learn with, and from, other executive leaders by sharing challenges and solutions
Promote and embed integrity, accountability & high performance in your team
Rebecca Skinner
Director, KT & Associates
Rebecca is the former CEO of Services Australia and has a deep defence and national security background. She was the Associate Secretary of Defence and Deputy Secretary for Strategic Policy and Intelligence. A long-term member of the Defence Committee she has led Defence strategic policy, capability and technology investment, ministerial engagement and driven transformed governance, human resource management and integrated service delivery. Rebecca led Services Australia through the social security and health demands of the pandemic in the post Robodebt era, setting the organisation on its customer centric cultural renewal. She is a resilient people-focused leader experienced in operating under intense pressure through international and domestic crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters and defence operations. Rebecca was awarded a PSM in 2021 for outstanding public service in the areas of national security policy, intelligence, business transformation and service delivery.
EL1 - EL2 Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Bootcamp
Who will attend?
Public Sector leaders in EL1 – EL2 level roles
This Bootcamp is also relevant for other supervisors with broader leadership requirements
Agenda
All times are shown in AEDT
Acknowledgement of Country & Opening remarks
Welcome, introduction & getting to know each other
What is the reality of a good public sector leader?
Your leadership journey – where are you & where could you be?
- Why leadership matters
- What kind of leader are you, and what kind of leader could you be?
- What does a good public sector leader look like?
- Proactively building your leadership capability
- Why leadership is hard!
Being an authentic leader & developing your leadership practice
- Learn how to lead authentically
- What is authentic leadership in a public sector context?
- Being yourself while also maintaining professionalism and boundaries
- Understanding the difference and balance between self, role and system
- Exploring the concept of curiosity versus judgement for leaders
Morning break
Exploring the behaviours of high-performing teams
- Identifying and overcoming imposter syndrome
- Understanding that leadership is learned
- The changing image of a leader, and the changing nature of leadership
- Leveraging your diversity of thought, experience and background
- The power of inclusion, diversity & contestability
- Creating a culture of excellence
Leading effectively in a system
- Diagnosing the system so you can effectively lead within it
- Realising your authority
- Accountability and risk management
- Who’s accountable? Using ‘the accountability ball’
- Leading with integrity and maintaining public service valuesÂ
- Providing frank and fearless advice – but what does fearless really mean?
Lunch break
Having maximum impact in the workplace
- Enhancing resilience, productivity & high performance
- Maintaining energy, agility and focus
- Surviving the increasing complexity public sector workplace
- Looking after yourself and finding balance at work
Afternoon break
Breakout activity – Group Coaching
- Come prepared with a real workplace challenge and engage in a practical and valuable group coaching exercise
- Begin by learning and unpacking the difference between coaching and mentoring
- Enter a feedback activity with fellow participants on how you can address your workplace problem
- Take away experiments to trial in the workplace based on feedback from your group as well as Rebecca
Review, reflect & plan
- Q&A and key takeaways
- What do you want people to say about you?
- What do you need to do to make them say it about you?
- Develop an overall action plan
Close of Day One
Reflections & Observations from Day One
What are the actions of a good public sector leader?
Understanding yourself as a resource & growing as a leader
- Understanding your biases, blind spots and overused strengths!
- Determining the true value you bring to your role and the organisation
- Creating safe workplaces by behaving in a safe manner
- Understanding yourself, and using yourself in the best way possibleÂ
- Living a full life, that is in balance, and using your energy on things that are helpful to you
- How to maintain drive and purpose during challenging times in life & work
Morning break
Governance, risk & good management
- How to use management and governance to support good risk management
- The role of risk management in maintaining integrity in the public service
- The importance of engaging in the governance system that is on offer – it’s there for a reason!
- Governance saves time and headaches, and keeps you and your people safe from scandal & stress, including your boss!
- The public service value of stewardshipÂ
- Building capability in your people to elevate the performance and reputation of the service
Lunch break
Managing finance & resources
- What is your accountability to organise yourself around the available resources?
- Never say “there’s not enough resources” again
- Effective procurement in the public sector
Breakout activity – Group Coaching
- Come prepared with a real workplace challenge and engage in a practical and valuable group coaching exercise
- Enter a feedback activity with fellow participants on how you can address your workplace problem
- Take away experiments to trial in the workplace based on feedback from your group as well as Rebecca
Afternoon break
Review, reflect & plan
- Q&A and key takeaways
- What do you want people to say about you?
- What do you need to do to make them say it about you?
- Develop an overall action plan
Close of Masterclass
Location:
Canberra | Ngunnawal Country, ACT 2600
Benefits of attending in-person: This is the perfect networking opportunity for leaders, in an environment that will set you up to build new connections and a support network of like-minded peers!
Food & catering requirements: Catering is provided at all in-person The Hatchery events. Dietary requirements and special needs are to be communicated to event organisers one week prior to the event commencing. Please identify yourself to The Hatchery staff upon arrival to ensure all your needs are met.
Dress code: The event dress code is Business casual.
Pricing
Early bird savings until 22 November
+GST
Early bird savings until 13 December
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $400 of standard rate
Early bird savings until 24 January
+GST
Early bird pricing
Save $200 of standard rate
Standard Price
+GST
“The masterclass really made the audience question and reassess what you think you know and provides great practical ways about how you might achieve better results by trying something new and different. Highly recommended for everyone who thinks they know it all already.
Ludger Dinkler, Adviser
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
This course has highlighted that how I exercise leadership in any given situation is my choice and my responsibility.
Clair Victoria
A/g Asst Manager - Climate Risk, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Thank you for a very thought-provoking workshop, I’m excited to take the next steps towards improving my leadership style and impact!! I feel empowered to take the next career steps I’ve been hesitant to take. Thank you.
 Helen Salouros
Director, Australian Forensic Drug Laboratory, National Measurement Institute
This was a great experience, combining practical examples, useful theories and opportunities for discussion. An inspiring few days!
Ruby Ozolins
Assistant Director, Risk & Analysis, Comcare,
Fantastic course, definitely worth it! Highly recommended
Karina Harding
Payment and Reporting Manager, Department of Health and Aged Care
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