The Same but Different: Public Leadership for the Digital Age

Learn about approaches to develop public leadership literacy in, and for, the digital age.

Join Martin Stewart-Weeks, author and ANZSOG Practice Fellow, for a fireside chat to learn about approaches to public leadership in a digital age. 

In 2024, the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) launched a new program, ‘Public Leadership for the Digital Age’ or PLDA for short.  The 2025 version of the program is being designed even as we speak.

Martin was the program’s principal designer and facilitated the program’s inaugural delivery.  He’s also the author of several books including, ‘Changing Shape: Institutions for the Digital Age’ with Lindsay Tanner, and ‘Are We There Yet? Digital Transformation of Government and the Public Sector in Australia’ with Simon Cooper.

In this informal conversation Martin will delve into some of the ideas and frameworks from the ANZSOG program and also broader discussions to explore whether public leadership for the digital age is both the same - and very different - to public leadership. 

And why “public leadership” and not “public sector leadership”.

As Martin says:

“PLDA is not a digital leadership program; it’s a program to develop public leadership literacy in and for the digital age. 

It’s a leadership program for people who want to become more confident and capable public leaders in and for the digital age. It offers a framework to help leaders think their way into what it means to adopt “digital era” ways of working and leading. 

The program rests on an assumption that, now, every aspect of public leadership, much the same as every aspect of society and the economy, has to adapt to, and take advantage of, the speed, intensity and connectedness that characterises the rhythm and structure of the digital age. 

There is no aspect of effective public leadership that isn’t now thoroughly impacted by, and needs to respond to, the opportunities and risks of the digital age and the “affordances” (the things it lets you do) of current and emerging digital tools, platforms and mindsets. 

You can’t be an effective public leader unless you are comfortable and confident with these new tools, platforms and mindsets.”

We want this to be an inclusive and accessible event, so if cost (or anything else) is a barrier to attend, please let us know so we can find a way for you to join us.