When asked what characterized the most outstanding leaders they had worked with, the respondents suggested that character is destiny: One of the most-cited traits was being respected for character, values, and integrity. As one interviewee put it, “Your integrity and ethics are the core of being in the public service.” This set the foundation for two other essential traits—clarity of purpose and the ability to deliver results despite ambiguity and change. In our survey and interviews, we asked leaders what differentiated the public sector from other sectors and what this meant for leadership (Exhibit 1). By far, the most significant difference was navigating the ever-changing political dynamics and complexities of cabinet government. As several leaders noted, when senior leaders join government from the private sector, they are often shocked at how little linear accountability there is.
