What does a day in your shoes feel like? And what are the key skills that can make or break a career in your field?

We’ve asked a diverse group of Apolitical members to share their career story with us and the tips they have for junior public servants. In this article, Liz McKeown explains why it’s important to manage your time well in her role as Director General of the Digital Academy

What is your current role and how do you spend your time on a standard day?

I am currently the Interim Director General of the Digital Academy, a learning branch within the Canada School of the Public Service.

Jokingly, I spend too much of my time trying to reduce the number of meetings I attend and the number of emails I receive. But in reality, I have a lovely balance of time to be creative, engage with partners, stakeholders, and colleagues, learn, and share.

What did you do before taking up this role?

Prior to this role, I was with the Digital Academy but in a faculty role meaning that my focus was on designing and delivering amazing learning products for Canadian Federal public servants to help them in their digital transformation… aka helping them learn how to design and deliver products and services that exceed our clients' expectations.

Prior to that, I was the Chief Information Officer in a medium-sized but chaotic government department with a laser focus on transformation and service delivery.

In your opinion, what are the most important skills someone needs to excel in your field?**

The most important skills for someone to excel in my field, are pretty much the same needed to excel in many fields. In all that you do:

  • Work with the recipients of what you do, in an iterative manner in order to ensure that what you are doing meets their expectations and follows a process of continuous improvement.
  • Be aware - this is that 'emotional intelligence and situational awareness stuff'!
  • Be open and transparent in all that you do, paired with a healthy dose of kindness.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Mentoring and coaching and seeing the evolution of our workforce and the pride and engagement that goes along with doing good stuff!

What advice would you give to young public servants who are interested in a career in your field?

The public service is very large. Reach out to those in a field of interest, ask them to mentor you, and if that doesn't work, reach out to someone else. Note those that inspire you and stay close to their careers. Note those that demotivate you, and learn from their methodologies. And enjoy the ride… take time to enjoy what you do, to explore lateral opportunities, and learn on a daily basis.

Want to share your own career story with the Apolitical community? Use this form to let us know about your job.

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