How managers drive change in resistant government teams
Struggling to lead change in a resistant team? Learn proven strategies for managers to boost engagement and performance in government organisations.
How can managers lead change in a government team that resists it?
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What this episode covers
Many leaders in bureaucratic organisations struggle to drive meaningful change amid entrenched processes and resistance. In this episode, Alex Smith, Chief HR Officer for the City of Memphis and recognised HR leader, shares practical insights on applying servant leadership within a government context. Alex explains how adopting a mindset focused on serving others, including employees and citizens, can improve talent management and organisational outcomes. She discusses the challenges faced when introducing new leadership approaches and how showing genuine care and support can build trust and engagement. This episode offers guidance for managers seeking to overcome inertia and create positive change in complex corporate or public sector environments.
Who this is for: General managers and senior operators working in bureaucratic or government settings who want to drive change and improve team performance.
Key takeaways
- Servant leadership focuses on serving others first, which can improve employee engagement and public service outcomes.
- Introducing servant leadership in government organisations faces resistance, but clear examples and recognition programmes help adoption.
- Parental leadership styles, like showing genuine care and support, can be effective in guiding teams and developing talent.
- Regularly asking what has changed after leadership initiatives helps identify where decision-making stalls and who is the bottleneck.
- Leaders who demonstrate they care contribute to organisational growth and can overcome challenges through continuous learning and adaptation.
How managers drive change in resistant government teams is a pressing challenge, especially in public sector environments. This episode explores the power of servant leadership for managers who want to improve talent management and lead more effectively, even when facing strong resistance. Discover actionable insights to help you break through barriers and create a positive organisational impact.
What you will learn
- Understand how servant leadership transforms resistant teams
- Apply proven talent management strategies in government settings
- Overcome common barriers to organisational change
- Leverage parental leadership techniques for team growth
This episode features Alex Smith, Chief HR Officer for the City of Memphis and recognised HR leader, sharing real world leadership experience and strategies.
Episode highlights
- (3:37) What servant leadership means for Alex
- (7:00) An example of a programme promoting servant leadership and barriers encountered
- (12:52) What is the Ovation Award
- (15:11) Parenting versus great leadership
- (18:20) What her children taught her about leadership
- (20:47) How leaders can bring servant parental leadership into the workplace
- (23:24) How to show that you actually care and help your organisation to grow
- (29:04) Challenges that allowed Alex to grow
- (32:45) What’s in the future for Alex
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Get the Quick-Win PackQuestions managers ask about this episode
What is servant leadership and how can it be applied in government organisations?
Servant leadership is a leadership style focused on serving others first rather than commanding. In government, it means prioritising the needs of employees and citizens, fostering trust and engagement. Alex Smith explains that this approach can improve talent management and public service by creating a culture of support and collaboration despite bureaucratic constraints.
How can I introduce new leadership techniques in a bureaucratic organisation?
Introducing new leadership styles in bureaucratic settings requires clear examples and recognition programmes to overcome resistance. Alex shares how the City of Memphis used programmes like the Ovation Award to promote servant leadership, demonstrating its benefits and encouraging adoption through visible support and acknowledgement.
What leadership lessons can be learned from parenting?
Leadership can draw from parenting by showing genuine care, support, and guidance. Alex Smith discusses how her experience as a parent taught her the importance of empathy and nurturing growth, which translates into effective team leadership and talent development in the workplace.
How do I identify where change is stalling in my organisation?
Regularly asking what has changed after leadership initiatives helps reveal where decisions are stalling and who is the bottleneck. Jimmy Burroughes emphasises diagnosing decision friction to understand if managers or their bosses are blocking progress, enabling targeted actions to improve flow and performance.