6 big lessons for working in government

This article is written by Roi Benitez, ex-Director of Capacity Building and Innovation at the Cabinet Office of the Government of Argentina. Currently, she is a professor of innovation and digital transformation at the University of San Andrés, an expert consultant on learning agility and an international speaker on systemic learning.

When the opportunity to work in the government of Argentina was presented to me, I promised myself one thing: the day I felt that I was not adding value, I would leave.

For me, working in government was a unique opportunity to make a great contribution to my country and I was willing to give it my all. I come from a very humble family; my mother is a seamstress and my father is a truck driver. I am the first generation of university students in my family and, honestly, I never imagined that I would become a director in government.

I was very fortunate to be part of some amazing teams delivering important projects. From designing a virtual learning platform for 1 million citizens, to developing Argentina’s first Academy of Public Policy Design, which impacted 60,000 public servants.

My entrepreneurial spirit and deep commitment motivated me to succeed in these difficult roles. Through that experience, these are the six big lessons I would share with any fellow public servant.

Six big lessons

1. Keep pushing forward

You never know when change is going to come in government. Politics and bureaucracy can transform your role in the blink of an eye.

With this knowledge I knew that I had to go fast, with all my strength and be agile. I never went slow. Every day, we set out with my team to take a step forward, even if it is a small one.

2. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate

As my partner Rudi Borrmann always says, “your capacity is your community”.

From day one, I opened the doors of my office to all those who wanted to collaborate, both internally and externally.

As public servants, we have to create an environment in which we and our teams can ask for help don’t and don’t feel under pressure to keep up.

When you open up to collaboration the potential is exponential. The projects I managed generated impact because there were many people in many corners of the Argentinean Public Administration thinking, designing and co-creating the ideas. Encourage yourself to listen to new voices and to collaborate with others.

3. Value young public servants

There are a lot of negative stereotypes about government. What many do not know, however, is that there is also a lot of hidden potential. Especially among young public servants.

Leading and being part of a team which included young civil servants created such a vibrant culture. Very often, they were my great teachers. Many times we think that valid opinions have to come only from experts with many credentials. I believe that we should be encouraged to put together teams with junior profiles that are committed to the purpose and can grow in the organisation.

4. Regulate your workload

Regulating your demands on yourself and others is key. So is learning to ask for help and observing if others need it.

The reality is that at one point in my career I was very tired and my workload was becoming unmanageable. I had stopped seeing my family, my friends and I had given up all my hobbies: my life was work, work was my life. I needed help and I felt overwhelmed.

Take the time to write and keep your networks active. Create an ecosystem where you are being nurtured and inspired by others, as well sharing your insights.

As public servants, we have to create an environment in which we and our teams can ask for help don’t and don’t feel under pressure to keep up. Many public servants are perfectionists but we’re not perfect. Learn to value  everyone’s contributions even when the result is not the expected one.

5. Show, don’t tell

During my four years of management I stopped writing, tweeting and publishing. I also stopped giving talks and participating in events. I became invisible.

In retrospect, I think that actions speak louder than words. Let people know you by what you do, not what you say you do.

Writing about your projects and experiences serves to have a record of your professional progress and it’s an excellent opportunity to inspire others. Apolitical is an excellent platform to do so. So take the time to write and keep your networks active. Create an ecosystem where you are being nurtured and inspired by others, as well as sharing your insights. But never lose sight of your main focus.

6. Put purpose first

When you start to lead change, the culture of an organisation can “crack”, it is part of the process of change and that has its consequences.

Always act with honesty and never get drawn into disputes; only respond if your integrity is under attack. I dream that as public servants we will learn to exercise more compassion and collaboration and really place our purpose above all else. Because it’s only through collaboration and sharing that we learn and grow. 

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(Image Credit: Death to Stock)