There are varying perspectives about whether and to what extent public sector leadership differs to that of other sectors. A new ANZSOG Research Insights paper looks at what the literature has to say on the matter and provides a way to make sense of competing arguments for and against.
The paper details three main schools of thought regarding the extent to which public sector leadership is different (or not). On balance, according to the literature, public sector leadership is generally considered to be unique due to the context in which leadership emerges and takes place and the authority that the public sector has.
To assist with sensemaking, this ANZSOG Research Insights paper provides a synthesis for understanding why and how the context of public leadership matters in two main ways- by looking at context variables and using three different lenses – character, function and jurisdiction – to analyse the distinctiveness of public sector leadership.
The paper provides a helpful framing to make sense of different ideologies and viewpoints about the uniqueness of the public sector and the context within which leadership takes place. Analysing why and how public sector leadership differs to that of other sectors has implications for how leadership is developed. Without recognition of its unique context, the utility of generic literature and approaches to cultivate leadership and develop leaders can be limited when applied to the public sector.
- Published Date: 11 April 2025