New skillsets for public leaders

Abstract

This research article contributes to leadership in the public sector by investigating the effect of a new policy for public leaders, introduced by Icelandic authorities in the summer of 2019. In the policy, the skillsets that are considered fundamental for public leaders in Iceland were defined. In this article, this policy of public leadership is analyzed, as well as its criteria and context, in order to answer the question if it reflects public leadership in organizations. Also, new leadership training and development is lacking which is not in accordance to the new public policy on leadership. Qualitative data was used and in-depth interviews were conducted with ten new public leaders. The main conclusions indicate that the new public leaders thought that the new public policy was relevant to their work. However, the participants felt they needed more training and mentoring when they were hired. Thus, there is a difference between the policy and its execution. The Covid-19 epidemic has, of course, dramatically impacted their working environment. The practical value of this research is in shedding a light on real assignments that public leaders face.