19 Nov 2024 Induction – APEX Ceremony of Entry into the Executive Ranks
This past week, I had the immense honour of being formally inducted as an executive in the Government of Canada’s federal public service. Surrounded by my peers, senior leaders, and with the incredible support of APEX (Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada) , this milestone marked a moment of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the road ahead.
But what does it mean to be a leader in the Government of Canada?
At its core, leadership in the public service is defined around its key leadership competencies:
- Upholding integrity and respect, building trust with colleagues, partners, and citizens alike.
- Thinking things through, approaching challenges with a thoughtful, analytical, and innovative lens.
- Working effectively with others, fostering collaboration, empathy, and teamwork.
- Demonstrating action-oriented leadership, driving forward initiatives that make meaningful change.
- Achieving results, ensuring we deliver on our commitments for the benefit of all Canadians.
For me, however, leadership is this but also so much more.
Leadership in today’s public service is no longer about authority, titles, or maintaining the status quo—it’s about courage, vision, and connection. The public service needs leaders who listen more than they speak, who empower diverse voices, and who champion innovation while staying rooted in integrity and service. Leadership today is about collaboration over command, adaptability over rigidity, and building bridges across ideas, people, and systems. It requires humility to learn, resilience to face complex challenges, and boldness to challenge outdated practices for the betterment of all. The public service needs leaders who not only achieve results but do so in a way that reflects our shared values of inclusion, fairness, and accountability.
Leadership has shifted from being about power to being about purpose—leading with the belief that we can transform how we work, how we serve, and how we build a brighter future together.
This is the leadership Canadians need today, and I am inspired to rise to the challenge.
As I reflect on this event, and milestone in my career, I am deeply motivated. The words of seasoned leaders, the shared experiences, and the collective commitment to public service shown by all inductees have reinforced my determination to take on the challenges ahead.
I look forward to contributing to the opportunities in front of us that will allow us to work smarter, listen better, and deliver stronger results for everyone.
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