This post is written by Arnold Onrubia and Kevin Martin dela Cruz

  • The problem: All power corrupts.
  • Why it matters: Leaders without integrity have a larger impact on their constituents.
  • The solution: Keeping integrity front of mind helps ward against temptation.

Since the pandemic hit the world, public sector professionals have been responding to the gargantuan task of ensuring that the citizens they serve would follow protocols, receive support, and recover from the shocks.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, given the extended nature of this hazard, they would have to navigate bureaucracies, reshape existing policies, and rethink strategies. In having to do so, leaders who are rising to the situation would be tested, not just in terms of capability, but also in terms of character especially of what will make them expend and manage effectively public resources.

Integrity should have been a part and parcel of being a leader but given the volume and extent of funds involved even in a crisis, some may fall short in this category for the sake of self-enrichment. How do we ensure that we lead with this virtue in mind?

1. Be transparent and bring the information to the public

According to the Corruptions Perceptions Index, the persistent corruption in some countries is undermining health systems and contributing to democratic backsliding amidst the pandemic. Given the risk posed by the lack of integrity to essential services, the leader should first be transparent in their utilisation of resources to their constituents. There should not just be public documentation of government transactions, but also intentional spaces for engagement to communicate such information effectively. The leader should make it easy for the citizens to understand the monthly programme and budget reports. This would lead to more people trusting the government with the effort its leaders are placing in aligning and reaching out to them - both in thought and deed.

2. Be reliable and lead by example

In this VUCA world, the leader should constantly coordinate and seek relevant information and intelligence from reliable sources, including health professionals, researchers, managers, industries, related sectors, networks, and collaborative partners. While intuition plays a role, in the end, the leader needs to act following credible expertise and advice. Further, when the leader lives life and sets an example of high ethical standards, they can demonstrate public trust and hence get an unwavering buy-in from their constituents.

3. Promote inclusivity

Promoting inclusivity in the public sector engenders integrity, as it supports the public’s best interests. This is supported by various experiences in which efforts to provide more opportunities for participation and input into decision making represent an important strategy for improving trust and confidence.

Reflecting further on these insights, integrity is crucial in enabling a more innovative and collaborative governance approach. By taking these small intentional steps, we are not just able to execute our programs more effectively but also empower more citizens in developing a better normal for all with the government as a partner for change. — Arnold Onrubia and Kevin Martin dela Cruz

👋 You can create a post like this one! Share your thoughts with a community of public servants. Learn more.

(Picture credit: Unsplash)