Over the last few months, I have been focusing on finding Innovation champions within New Zealand public sector organizations.
It's like finding a needle in a haystack. While there is a lot of talk about innovation, there are very few people who are prepared to walk-the-talk.
One of the reasons for this paradox as follows.
People in public sector spends an awful amount of time and money formulating strategies, goals, objectives an so on. There are no shortage of managers who are assigned to execute these strategies and goals.
But there is something missing.
Most managers are busy fulfilling "obligations" to their senior management or to the minister. It is very rare to find a leader with an "aspiration" close to their heart and committed to making it happen.
The vast majority of Managers fulfilling obligations will spend their budget, tick a box and maintain status quo. A small number of Leaders with an aspiration will create huge value and make a difference.
With a lot of persistence and a bit of good luck, I'm slowly uncovering few amazing leaders in government (both central & local) who have an aspiration and the capability, capacity, courage and urgency to realise that vision.
Over the next few weeks, I'm planning to write few blog posts about some great projects happening in NZ public sector.
If you know of any innovation champions in government, then I would love to connect with them to showcase their story.
