Virtual Event
What Exceptional Public Sector Leaders Do Differently
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025
Time is displayed in your local time zone
Speakers
What to do next
- Catch up on the 9-minute highlights above, or dive into the full recording
- Join the Life in Government Community
- Check out our upcoming event Turning Your Writing from Bland to Brilliant
Resources
Join the Life in Government Community
The Life in Government Community is a collaborative space designed for Apolitical members to connect with peers in the global public service and ask and answer questions on life in government.
Event Description
What makes a truly excellent public sector leader? Some skills and behaviours may come to mind: the ability to adapt, lead through crises, exercise judgment, master communication and think strategically. It may be all these and more, but what can you do as a leader to stay sharp and future-proof your capabilities?
This masterclass will explore what sets outstanding public sector leaders apart. From navigating political complexity to fostering culture and resilience in fast-moving environments, participants will learn about the practices, skills and mindsets that enable sustained high performance.
You’ll hear from an experienced leader about what’s helped them, get access to top research insights, and learn what to stop, start or rethink to stay effective now and into the future.
Interested in how Apolitical can support you and your organisation? Learn about collaborating with us.
Image Credit: Chat GPT
Speakers
Roland Dillon
Partner, McKinsey & Company
Australia
Amanda Mays
Former Strategic Advisor, Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority | Former Director & Advisory roles, East Midlands Combined County Authority, Kent County Council, Birmingham City Council
UK
Roland Dillon, is a partner in McKinsey & Co. He is one of the global leaders of the People & Organization Practice and is on the board of the McKinsey Center for Government. He has worked extensively with governments all over the world on leadership, workforce planning and operating model design. He is also the lead partner of the pro bono Mission Delivery program, which has supported more than 10,000 social-sector leaders. Prior to joining Mckinsey, he worked as a lawyer and policy maker in the Australian Government
Amanda Mays, is a leading expert in organisation design, operational transformation, and cultural change. Combines strategic HR and programme leadership with creativity and logic. Proven track record of navigating complexity, and delivering measurable outcomes. Recognised for driving service excellence and embedding resilience in evolving organisations, most recently in UK strategic authorities.
![[Replay] How to Improve Your Strategic Thinking image](https://images.eu.ctfassets.net/gs9txytepevj/0XjUL1sNJvBBQ3XtSZhDh/3d9c34e0dc1fa1e038a48c92e9d187d7/curated-lifestyle-QodesUStvjA-unsplash.jpg?q=80&fm=avif&w=2430)
