Australian public service commissioner stephen sedgwick

ses leadership programs and services

The Commission continued to provide SES leadership development opportunities in 2012–13 through a range of programs and forums summarised in Table 9.

Table 9: Senior Executive Service programs and forums, 2012–13
Program	Content/focus	Number	Attendance
SES Band 2 leadership	Provides an opportunity to explore how personal leadership strengths and expertise can be leveraged to respond to the strategic environment, lead substantial change and manage responses (of self and others) to uncertainty; provides leaders with new ways to observe their own leadership and new practices to implement at work	0	0
SES Band 1 leadership	Enables leaders to build personal strengths, explore leadership perspectives for the APS and prepare for the complexity of future challenges	1	16
SES orientation	Provides senior executives with information and networking opportunities to help them operate effectively in the APS environment	5	88
APS Views	Speaker and panel series to stimulate thinking and discussion on issues of current and future interest for the APS	3	275
Leadership Conversations	Speaker series providing an opportunity to hear from, and engage with, prominent leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with candid discussions on their experiences in leading large and complex organisations	4	425

Note: The statistics are for completed programs only. One SES Band 2 leadership, three SES Band 1 leadership and five orientation programs commenced in 2012–13 but were still in progress as at 30 June 2013.

ses leadership

The Commission introduced refreshed SES Band 1 and 2 leadership programs during 2012–13. These programs are complemented by an events series that focuses on leadership and other key themes relevant to the future of the APS.

The refreshed SES Band 1 program now comprises four modules delivered over a six-month period, while the refreshed SES Band 2 program now comprises three modules delivered over a five-month period. Both leadership programs have been designed to include the general leadership themes of leading strategy, leading change, leading people, and leadership qualities associated with ‘being’ (from the knowing–doing–being framework in the 2011 APS Leadership Development Strategy).

During 2012–13, four SES Band 1 leadership programs commenced, with one cohort completing their program during this period. One cohort of the SES Band 2 leadership program also commenced, and will continue in 2013–14.

The refreshed programs contribute to the achievement of the objective of the 2011 APS Leadership Development Strategy to develop leaders with the capability to manage and lead in the changing business environment facing the APS. The new range of programs takes into account emerging strategic priorities for the APS, notably the place of Australia in the Asian century, and the need for leaders to:

• become more citizen-centric

• be able to solve complex problems

• be alert to the need to operate as one APS

• anticipate challenges

• implement policies and programs effectively.

ses orientation

Through wide consultation across the APS, a refreshed SES orientation program was developed for implementation in July 2012. The program is based on the 2011 APS Leadership Development Strategy, including the 70/20/10 principle.

The SES orientation program assists new SES leaders to develop the APS-wide knowledge and skills they need to survive and thrive. The program extends over six months, drawing on a range of learning activities including workshops, presentations, self-paced e-learning , networking events, coaching and mentoring , and opportunities to reflect. The program is open to all newly promoted or appointed SES as well as acting SES employees.

During 2012–13, the Commission commenced delivery of 10 SES orientation programs to 180 senior executives, five of which were completed. Course evaluation results for the five programs completed indicate that 82% of participants who responded to a multi-question evaluation survey found the ‘Starting the journey’ sessions to be beneficial, while 69% found the ‘Bringing it all together’ sessions to be beneficial.

ses events

In 2012–13, the Commission refreshed its offerings of SES events, providing two streams of events:

• APS Views—a speaker and panel series to stimulate thinking and discussion on issues of current and future interest for the APS

• Leadership Conversations—a speaker series providing an opportunity to hear from, and engage with, prominent leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with candid discussions on their experiences in leading large and complex organisations.

This new program of events featured high-calibre speakers and generated a rise in interest in the Commission’s SES events. Average registration numbers increased from 45 per event in 2011–12 to 100 in 2012–13. Highlights included:

• ‘Burgers and boardrooms: leading McDonald’s through change and transformation’ with Ms Catriona Noble, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, McDonald’s Australia

• ‘Tell me something I don’t know … towards an inclusive APS’ with Mr Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Ms Lynette May, Chief Executive Officer, Disability Employment Australia, and Dr Rhonda Galbally AO, social and health policy expert and disability activist.