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.

“'Paul Joyce demonstrates evidence that leaders need to be intelligent, social, and ethical. He re-frames strategic leadership substantially: not organizations, but governance; not followers, but citizens; not from the top, but as a mediator. This book will certainly affect the behaviour of many leaders.' - Geert Bouckaert, President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium 'The question of leadership in the public sector has never been addressed in a publication with such clear methodological, bibliographic references. This book is a resource for academics and professionals, helping them to go beyond the generalities failing to seriously address this fundamental issue in our public organizations.' -Professor Robert Fouchet, Director of Publications at the International Institute of Administrative Sciences & Director of Research at the Institute of Public Management and Territorial Governance, Aix Marseille University, France 'A compelling read that is both academically rigorous and accessible. Paul Joyce's reflections on leadership and strategy in the public sector provide new insights for policy makers and students alike.' -Dr Richard Boyle, Head of Research, Institute of Public Administration, Ireland 'Strategy is important but often filled with buzzwords and hype. This thoughtful book gives an excellent overview of relevant theories and practical tools for public sector managers as well as for postgraduate and executive Master's students in public administration and management.' - ”

'Paul Joyce demonstrates evidence that leaders need to be intelligent, social, and ethical. He re-frames strategic leadership substantially: not organizations, but governance; not followers, but citizens; not from the top, but as a mediator. This book will certainly affect the behaviour of many leaders.' - Geert Bouckaert, President of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium

'The question of leadership in the public sector has never been addressed in a publication with such clear methodological, bibliographic references. This book is a resource for academics and professionals, helping them to go beyond the generalities failing to seriously address this fundamental issue in our public organizations.' - Professor Robert Fouchet, Director of Publications at the International Institute of Administrative Sciences & Director of Research at the Institute of Public Management and Territorial Governance, Aix Marseille University, France

'A compelling read that is both academically rigorous and accessible. Paul Joyce’s reflections on leadership and strategy in the public sector provide new insights for policy makers and students alike.' - Dr Richard Boyle, Head of Research, Institute of Public Administration, Ireland

'Strategy is important but often filled with buzzwords and hype. This thoughtful book gives an excellent overview of relevant theories and practical tools for public sector managers as well as for postgraduate and executive Master's students in public administration and management.' - Åge Johnsen, Professor of Public Policy, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway

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.

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