This article is written by Ahmed Nadhir Omar, County Executive for Health, County Government of Garissa, Kenya

  • The problem: Senior public servants play a vital role in maximising societal benefits from government services. Despite their dedication to excellence, they confront challenges such as toxic work environments and political pressures. Unfortunately, their commendable efforts often receive little acknowledgement, instances of credit-taking by superiors and, potentially, reputational damage.
  • Why it matters: The consequences of challenges, such as a lack of recognition, can impact morale and stifle effective public service. Despite these challenges, you must stay committed to the greater good, it is crucial to excel in public service.
  • The solution: Staying focused on what is important and being consistent in their devotion to their duties. Using all their experiences as lessons for continuous improvement. Showcasing accomplishments through their diligent work, utilising performance reviews, leveraging networks, engaging in mentoring and investing in both technical and social skills.

As a senior public servant, your leaders, bosses and close associates may not always acknowledge your efforts, even when you deliver superbly in the face of challenges. They may take credit for your successes and may even tarnish your reputation.

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Despite these challenges, if you remain persistent in your commitment to the greater good, recognition may come from unexpected quarters when you least anticipate it. Don’t aim for recognition; just maintain a steadfast commitment to your convictions, values and responsibilities as a public servant. Let the assurance of being on the right side of history be your inspiration.

Showcase your accomplishments

Your resilience and devotion to duty should allow you to pursue your visibility. Reinforce your role and contributions by showcasing your accomplishments. This can be achieved through diligent work, utilising performance reviews, leveraging internal networks and being resourceful in internal and external engagements with the public and other stakeholders.

Invest in both your technical and social skills to become a go-to reference. Keep up with the latest trends and technologies, and demonstrate your capability and efficiency in your field. Continuously improve your interpersonal skills.

Time will reveal the truth of your worth in an overwhelming way that is hard to ignore or conceal.

Excelling in both domains positions you as a skilled individual contributor but also as a collaborative team player and approachable colleague. This combination of expertise makes you an invaluable asset as a point of reference and a public servant who is trusted both internally and by the public. The synergy of these skills grows respect for your technical acumen and your ability to connect, understand and provide effective solutions. As you achieve and build on this, maintain the common good and excellent public service as your driving force.

A long-term journey

Stay focused and be consistent in your conscientiousness. Time will reveal the truth of your worth in an overwhelming way that is hard to ignore or conceal. Even colleagues who previously undermined you will openly acknowledge your contributions. Be conscious of their praise, it might be driven by self-serving agendas for maintaining credit and relevance. Don’t let your awareness of these motivations distract you, it opens a door for the dangerous influence of cynicism.

Over time, your efforts, focus, resilience and dedication will pay off. Handle recognition with humility. Be proud of yourself, not prideful, and express gratitude without feeling entitled. Most importantly, learn from the experiences to be a better public servant and use the lessons as fuel for the journey towards your vision.

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