PUBLIC sector leaders need to work collaboratively with every section of the community on ‘that mission’ to deliver great services and a bright future for Jersey, the new government chief executive said in her first public address.
Speaking at the first Leadership Jersey event since the organisation embarked on a new partnership with the Jersey Evening Post, Suzanne Wylie, who took up her role seven weeks ago, said that Jersey needed to ‘build and protect the assets’ which had ‘served it so well’.
Addressing an audience of nearly 200 people, she used the speech to emphasise the critical importance of collaboration, which she said was central to her leadership style and philosophy, and to outline her belief in ‘mission- and value-led’ leadership.
She stressed that government needed the help of people in all sectors and invited those attending to join the journey with her. During a question-and-answer session, Mrs Wylie explained that the role of the civil service was to put the best options before politicians, but stressed that it was they who should make policy decisions, not the civil service.
Having previously worked for eight years as the head of Belfast City Council, Mrs Wylie described the qualities that she believed were at the heart of good leadership.
She said: ‘I believe in value-led leadership. I fundamentally feel public servants should always be clear on the value they’re adding every day. When I go home to bed at night, I think about what value I have actually added to what we’re trying to deliver.
‘I also believe in mission-led leadership, where teams really have clarity of purpose and feel that they’re on a real mission to deliver.
That creates real energy, excitement and a real focus on getting things done. A can-do attitude.
‘I also believe in collaborative leadership, not just across government but also across all of the sectors and all of the Island. We all need to be on that mission together and, together, we can achieve much more than the sum of the parts.’
She added that she wanted the Government of Jersey to be seen as ‘an exciting, rewarding and very diverse’ place to work.
When quizzed on whether the States or the civil service should drive policy, Mrs Wylie said that the democratic role of the Island’s parliament should be respected.
‘It’s about providing the right options and advice – that’s what the public service should do, particularly in a government that doesn’t have one party in control.
‘That’s what I’ve been used to working with in Belfast, where it’s a coalition of five different parties. At the end of the day, we elect the politicians, they have democratic accountability, and the mandate. And that really is the system we have to respect and serve. They are the ones, ultimately, who make the decisions.’
Speaking of her previous experience in Northern Ireland, she described how her home city of Belfast had ‘completely transformed’ since the experience of the Troubles.
‘The city has completely transformed itself. It’s a tech setting, it’s a vibrant place, it’s full of tourists, film-makers, artists and young people with hope and a little bit with attitude as well.
‘It’s making most of its assets, its unique history, its past and its story.’
She added that she believed there were parallels with Jersey, as a small place which could ‘punch above its weight’.
‘Jersey, despite its size, also has its very own specific positive attributes, which have served the Island really well,’ she said.
‘A well regulated low tax regime, a self-controlled and self-financed island with stunning landscapes, spectacular heritage assets, an intriguing history and an intriguing way of life.
‘We need to both protect and build on all of those assets in this Island and we need to present them in a way that resonates locally and internationally.’
At the event, JEP managing director Matt Ross said the newspaper was delighted to be working with Leadership Jersey.
‘At the end of 2021, Kevin [Keen, founder of Leadership Jersey] approached the JEP with a view to future collaboration. Leadership Jersey was traditionally event-led, involving inspirational speakers, but the model was disrupted by the pandemic as it was not possible to hold events. Kevin was keen to relaunch in 2022 with renewed vigour and was seeking a helping hand.’
He added: ‘The JEP, like all of us here today, has a vested interest in the future of Jersey and that future will be brighter if we can continue to promote the importance of good leadership. Together, we have an opportunity to motivate and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.’
Thursday’s event featuring Mrs Wylie was recorded and will be available next week to watch online at leadershipjersey.je, where more information about the organisation can also be found.
