As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the most viewed stories on Apolitical this year.

2023 has been a year full of important discussions and debates about the future of government. We saw this in how governments around the world responded to the emergence of generative AI and in the ongoing conversation about flexible working. Meanwhile, ongoing global crises, from climate change to geopolitical instability, are adding complexity to public servants’ work. Lots of you acquired new skills in digital and data and sought out climate training to stay impactful in a changing world.

The Apolitical community responded by helping one another. Our best-performing stories in 2023 all focus on becoming better public servants and policymakers, by acquiring new skills or by sharing personal experiences to help overcome shared challenges.

Make sure to read each of these articles as you prepare for 2024. Most importantly, don’t forget to share your thoughts with the authors by commenting on their stories. They want to hear from you too.

If you’d like to become an Apolitical contributor yourself, visit the create an article page. Articles on Apolitical are written by public servants just like you — we’re here to help you share your stories.

Your top 10 stories:

  1. Storytelling is a crucial new skill in government by Natasha Jette, Digital Trailblazer, Public Services and Procurement Canada

    In today's information-saturated world, capturing attention and influencing decisions is a challenge. This article highlights the importance of storytelling in government and public service. Storytelling, with its emotional resonance, can make messages more impactful, fostering connections, trust and action.

  2. Taking that new role? Ask yourself this first bt Pavitra Raya, Community Manager, World Economic Forum

    Are you looking to make that next career move in government? Before changing careers, ask yourself these questions: How am I growing and adding value in my current role? What's my next career step and how to get there? Does the role align with my values? Will the new role add to my identity capital?

  3. 3 core principles for writing smarter, not harder, in government by Rachael Lovett, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Welsh Government

    This article explores the author's journey as a civil servant who discovered the role of 'non-fiction writer' in their diverse career. They share three essential factors for effective writing: understanding the purpose, knowing the audience and embracing the review process. The article emphasises the importance of clarity and relevance in government community — "write to express, not to impress."

  4. How to have difficult conversations with colleagues by Maeve Nicholson, Senior Policy Advisor, formerly BEIS

    This article addresses the discomfort of difficult conversations. But by fostering open and confident dialogue, difficult conversations can become opportunities for mutual learning and relationship-building.

  5. If multitasking is a myth for some, how do you get it all done? by Rell DeShaw. Assistant Director, Government of Canada

    How do you prioritise tasks? What questions do you need to ask to guide your decision-making? Are there benefits to task switching? Learn how to plan, block out time, and complete tasks in chunks to improve your productivity.

  6. 4 ways to improve your negotiation skills in the public sector by Sandra Naranjo Bautista, former minister and acting Vice President of Ecuador

    Negotiation skills are important in a lot of different government contexts, especially public policy. It’s a skill public servants should have in their toolkit. This article provides insights into improving negotiation skills and highlights common negotiating mistakes to avoid.

  7. Burnout: A true story by Natalie Dinnick, Wellbeing Officer and Mental Health Network Lead, Companies House

    This article recounts a personal experience with burnout and highlights the importance of recognising and addressing its symptoms. Use their tips to become a more resilient civil servant, able to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

  8. Adapting to change as a public servant by FlexGC, a grassroots volunteer network of Canadian federal public servants

    It’s not actually all that easy to get hybrid working right, especially in a complex organisation like a government department. This article offers insights on managing inefficient systems and processes. It emphasises the importance of adopting human-centered design thinking methodologies and encourages public servants to seek support and connect with communities to maintain motivation and find meaning in their work.

  9. 5 time-tested lessons for public servants by Monica Pfeffer, former civil servant in the Australian Government

    The article reflects on the author's long career in and around government and offers five lessons for reform-minded public servants. The lessons include the importance of taking small, practical steps in reform efforts, recognising the role of elected officials in decision-making, avoiding fashionable solutions, leveraging past experiences, and emphasising the human aspect of policy reform through relationships and networks.

  10. What does a good leader really do? by Victoria Camp, Project Director at Local Partnerships

    The author expresses frustration with the abundance of leadership and management advice and proposes focusing on being a good human being rather than conforming to labels like leader or manager. Leaders should prioritise their humanity and consider the challenges of our times, including climate change and global instability.

The best policy advice from 2023

  1. From lightbulb to Lighthouse: Using innovation to tackle hate by Salima Ebrahim, Chief of Staff and Corporate Lead on Anti-Racism and Reconciliation; and Kris Andreychuk, Manager, Data Science and Research, both from the City of Edmonton.
  2. Why stakeholder engagement matters in the public service by Katherine Cole, Director, Citizen Engagement at the Correctional Service of Canada.
  3. How to improve climate anxiety through engaged climate communication by Faith Edem, Economic Advisor, Environment and Climate Change Canada

__And, finally, don’t miss the most popular Apolitical quizzes of 2023, designed to help you understand yourself better: __

  1. Quiz: What type of public servant are you?
    Take the quiz to discover where you fit on the public servant character list

  2. Quiz: How to become more resilient Discover your government superpower and your vulnerability

What was your favourite government story of 2023? Let us know in the comments.

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