Learning from the best

Managers then had to produce ten-point action plans on how to implement innovations that they had picked up on their secondments. This example is one amongst many of how organisations share knowledge to improve performance. Inspiration can come from unlikely sources and I find that by looking beyond your department you can often find great ideas that can improve the way you work. I am in the fortunate position of being both Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the Department for Communities and Local Government. These two roles might not give me much free time but they do allow me to draw on experiences in one area – say, making local councils more transparent – to make improvements in another area – say, Civil Service-wide transparency. As we continue to implement Civil Service Reform it is crucial that we look beyond our immediate boundaries for inspiration. The Institute for Government have recognised the role that exhibiting good practice can play in improving performance by creating a monthly award: Inspiration for Government. Since March of this year, Peter Riddell and his team have selected public sector teams who have been exemplars in innovative thinking. The winners worked on areas ranging from the analysis of the response to the financial crisis to planning for medal success at the Olympics. But they all had one thing in common, a willingness to try new ways of working with a focus on results. The innovation of the Civil Service is seldom recognised and these awards are a great example of how we can learn from the best departments and teams. All the people involved in these successful initiatives should be proud of their achievements, and I’m already looking forward to seeing which inspirational teams are highlighted in 2013.