Recently promoted deputy permanent secretaries participated in an intensive orientation programme hosted by the Ministry of Public Administration at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.It was part of the ministry's Executive Leadership Development Programme (ELDP) which aims to strengthen the leadership skills of senior executives of the public service. The intention is for them to develop competencies in vital management areas including organizational transformation, institutional development, change management and focusing on results.
Speakers at the opening session included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration, Ms Gillian Macintyre, who congratulated the new deputy permanent secretaries on their promotions. She reminded them that there were many changes taking place within the public service, including transformation of the public service architecture from a pyramid to a diamond-shape. She also told them their responsibility as leaders is to create other leaders.
Reynold Cooper, Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister and Head of the Public Service, elaborated on the role of the minister and the permanent secretary as defined in the Constitution and emphasised the importance of building trust. He stressed that the leadership of the public service must work collaboratively, providing support and rendering assistance to each other.
Keynote speaker, Gervase Warner, President and Group CEO of the Neal & Massy Group of Companies, urged the deputy permanent secretaries to lead the change by becoming conscious leaders. He said the attributes of consciousleadership are analytical intelligence, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, systems intelligence, servant leadership, integrity and a great capacity to live and care.
The remaining sessions discussed the global outlook for T&T, the national development planning agenda, the financial management outlook and expenditure management issues. There were also sessions on procurement and human resource management to help to sharpen skills in these areas. The final days of the Orientation Programme are scheduled for this month.