Welcome back to part three of my key leadership competencies series. Today we’re talking about promoting innovation and guiding change! 💡

The Government of Canada’s key leadership competencies ask leaders to have the courage and resilience to challenge convention. Leaders are asked to create environments that support bold thinking, experimentation and intelligent risk taking; while using setbacks as a valuable source of insight and learning.

But what does this look like in action?

Leaders who are able to understand that innovation is the byproduct of calculated risks often are better positioned to promote innovation and guide change. By promoting a culture of responsible risk-taking, they empower their teams to explore innovative breakthroughs while safeguarding against potential pitfalls.

Imagine, for example, a city government facing an urban mobility challenge. A forward-thinking leader would encourage their team to explore unconventional solutions like smart transportation systems, bike-sharing initiatives, and pedestrian-friendly zones.

But to make way for such innovative thinking and risk taking, leaders must also identify opportunities for and barriers to their teams, and ultimately work to provide access or remove roadblocks.

Let’s consider a scenario where a government agency aims to enhance citizen engagement and service delivery. Here, the leader may identify barriers such as bureaucratic red tape and outdated technology that can fuel the need for change. One key opportunity identified by their team may then be to use digital platforms to streamline interactions with citizens. The leader would champion the idea, providing resources for the development of user-friendly interfaces and self-service portals. Simultaneously, they would address concerns about data privacy and security, ensuring that innovative solutions align with regulatory requirements. The leader’s ability to pinpoint opportunities and dismantle barriers is ultimately able to fuel a culture of innovation, and their dedication to facilitating change sets a precedent for others within the federal public service to do the same.

With innovation, however, there’s also a clear opportunity for learning and growth. The art of learning from setbacks is mastered by transformative leaders. They instill a growth-oriented ethos that fosters an environment where missteps are viewed as valuable lessons.

But setbacks shouldn’t just lead to lessons learned, they should trigger in leaders an ability to adapt, recalibrate, and flourish in the face of change. To guide change, bringing back my ship analogy, leaders must steer the ship with unwavering resolve, adjusting their sails to match the evolving winds of transformation. And while change may swirl all around the ship, amidst uncertainty and ambiguity, leaders must remain resilient. Their unwavering composure and positive outlook act as beacons of hope, inspiring teams to weather storms with a united spirit.