The intangible nature of culture presents a significant challenge for leaders. When something is difficult to see or measure, it's equally difficult to justify its importance and allocate the necessary resources.

Even teams aligned on a clear mission can hit roadblocks. Despite personal connections and agreement on outcomes, they often clash when tackling complex issues, each approaching problems differently—some focus on data, others on ideas, while a few push ahead independently.

Have you heard the saying “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”? It’s true. If your culture pulls your strategy in a different direction, those social and structural cues will be stronger than any corporate document you can produce. So, what’s a leader to do to ensure they release the cultural handbrake when trying to shift to a new strategy? 

Have you ever been "Mogged" or restructured? It’s not something many people enjoy, but it doesn’t have to be a painful experience—or take forever to get through. With the right approach, it can be managed smoothly and efficiently.

Translating the pitfalls into actions agencies can take, or key points they may need to consider when determining what core work is for the APS.

AI converts are expressing their frustrations loudly across every platform, questioning why more people can't see the benefits they find so obvious. However, while the allure is strong, there are a few reasons to think carefully about how you will apply AI.

In a world overflowing with information, visual communication stands out as a powerful tool to bridge the gap between complex ideas and clear understanding.

Sometimes communication is that person at the barbecue with the drink in hand, talking a lot to anyone and everyone, not quite hearing their replies, lacking a bit of insight, and having a great afternoon.

Public servants are afraid to make mistakes, but a new value of "stewardship" could empower them to learn and improve.

Stranded in the UK after my mother's stroke, I found the civil service surprisingly helpful and efficient, with a single point of contact and focus on user needs.

Want to know the secret to making work-from-home actually work? It's all about integrity, according to a new Australian Public Service plan.

Too often we let ourselves off the hook as trustworthy, or trusted, for doing or saying what we said we’d say or do — whether in the saying or doing, we were good enough or not.

How’s work? How is your day going? Spend a moment to think about how you and your team members would respond to the headline questions, now, on the spot.

I enjoy a debate, if it’s an exploration, if you’re allowed to hold a view, gather information, change your mind, gather or share more information — maybe bring a global perspective to a table — but it’s a costly game.

Taking a real holiday is important. One where your brain shifts gears, whether that’s up a gear to cycle and eat gelato across Italy or shifting down several gears to spend quality time with people I care about.

Despite the myths and negativity around consulting at the moment, it’s a very rewarding profession, and a very useful service if you use it well.

Mandating ‘core hours’ of being in the office may give managers a sense of control but it lacks so many critical elements of good management.

A merger seems simple on paper and will make sense for multiple reasons. In practice, however, it can be unsettling, hostile, or difficult for those involved.

Curious about what young Australian men think of International Women's Day, I asked them. Their thoughtful responses suggest a focus on celebrating women's achievements alongside working towards true equity.

Most agencies have a culture program of some sort underway - but if I were a public sector exec, I’d be tripling down on this one to make sure that attitudes, systems and processes fully support a continuously learning, future-focused culture.