Integrity and Political Savvy (Expert / leading)

70% on-the-job learning

• Be sensitive to who you need to engage with in your organisation and externally to influence decisions and deliver outcomes. This includes political and communications advisors in your minister’s office.
• Lead discussions with the minister on your projects and areas of expertise.
• Lead advice to your agency’s executive leadership team.
• Lead expert advice to Cabinet committees or select committees on policy projects that require clear and persuasive advice.
• Be the lead advisor to a select committee on draft legislation or an inquiry and present the departmental report.
• Lead commissioning discussions for policy work.
• Coach policy staff on matters such as:
  • the delivery of free and frank advice and boundaries for engaging with ministers
  • the positions and commitments of the Government and political parties, and how these relate to your agency’s work.
• Share insights with colleagues on the minister’s style and preferences.
• Coach policy staff on how to present to the minister (e.g. role plays).
• Seek opportunities to attend meetings of Cabinet committees or ministerial groups to understand how your minister interacts with other ministers.

20% learning from others

• Seek feedback from peers and senior colleagues on your interaction with ministers and stakeholders, including how you manage tricky conversations or sensitive issues.
• Role play with senior colleagues how to deliver difficult messages, or take part in ‘uncomfortable’ conversations.

10% formal learning

• Consider courses aimed at the skills needed by a principal to navigate issues, relationships and situations with sensitivity to the political context.