The Reasonable Public Servant
I just finished reading the following article in The Mandarin on The Reasonable Public Servant. In a week where elections are big global news, it got me thinking about how important a part of democracy the public service is.
The idea of the reasonable public servant embodies a professional who balances responsiveness with ethical integrity and long-term vision. This concept emphasises the importance of public servants who can:
Provide frank and fearless advice to elected officials
Maintain political neutrality while implementing government policies
Exercise sound judgment in complex situations
Prioritise public interest over personal or partisan agendas
These qualities are essential for ensuring that government functions effectively, regardless of who party holds power.
Elections and Government Effectiveness
While elections are a cornerstone of democracy, their impact is limited if the elected government cannot implement its policies effectively. This is where the role of public servants becomes paramount. A competent and professional public service can:
Ensure continuity of government operations during transitions
Provide institutional knowledge and expertise to new administrations
Implement policies efficiently and effectively
Maintain public trust in government institutions
The Urgency of Delivery
The period following an election is often characterised by a sense of urgency. Newly elected officials are eager to demonstrate progress on their campaign promises, while the public expects tangible results. This pressure can lead to a frantic atmosphere where everyone is "scurrying because they have nothing to show for it." To mitigate this scenario, public servants can:
Maintain Focus: Continue working on long-term projects and initiatives, regardless of electoral cycles
Adapt Quickly: Be prepared to adjust priorities and strategies in line with new policy directions
Communicate Effectively: Inform elected official about ongoing projects, potential challenges and spark curiosity
Innovate Responsibly: Seek ways to improve service delivery and policy implementation within existing frameworks
Balancing Political Neutrality and Effectiveness
One of the key challenges for public servants is remaining apolitical while effectively serving the government of the day. This requires:
Upholding the principle of merit-based appointments
Providing impartial and evidence-based advice
Implementing government policies faithfully, regardless of personal views
Maintaining professional integrity and ethical standards
The Path Forward
Again, governments come and go, it's crucial to recognise the vital role that public servants play in translating political mandates into tangible outcomes. By embracing the concept of the reasonable public servant, we can foster a workforce that is:
Politically astute yet non-partisan
Providing evidence based free and frank (without fear or favour) advice in order to provide a no surprises approach
Be responsive to elected officials while maintaining a long-term perspective
Committed to public service excellence and continuous improvement
Elections are important milestones in democratic governance – but the true measure of a government's success lies in its ability to deliver results. This ability depends heavily on a professional, ethical, and effective public service. By nurturing and supporting reasonable public servants, we can ensure that government functions smoothly and effectively, in the best interests of the public, regardless of electoral outcomes or political transitions.