I love new co-op students. They come in with fresh ideas, inquisitive minds and interesting perspectives on the public service. 
After only two weeks on the job, our most recent student remarked that he is starting to understand the “pace you folks need to work at” in order to get things done.
Clearly diplomacy is already something he has learned. After some prodding it became clear he has already met one of the government’s more familiar entities, the roadblock!
That’s life in the government, get used to it. Sadly that is ‘advice’ given to freely and without thought of the possible effects that will have, especially on those just starting out or considering a career in the public service.
Don’t sell them folks. I have a little more faith in what we can do for it is not the ‘government’ that puts these roadblocks in place, it is us, the public servants.
And so, over coffee, my simple comments to him – if there’s a road being blocked, find a way:
- Can you move it on your own? Take a bit of time and energy and do it.
- Will it take more than you have? Find someone to help you – maybe work is already underway that will make it easier.
- A little more substantial? Get a group willing and make it happen.
- And the kicker – no matter how many people have try, is it going to require more? Find the person(s) responsible for putting, or keeping it there and work it out. Perhaps it is no longer needed or does not need to be as obstructive? Can the size be downgraded from a roadblock to a speedbump?
A simple breakdown but does it really need to be more complex? I was happy our discussion then led to the importance and value of collaboration, community and tools that can always help.
But, at the heart of it is the recognition that each of us can and should do what we can to make the road ahead smooth and better for those yet to come.
Of course a smart question followed, wouldn’t it be easier to build a new road? Perhaps, but it that always better?
Onward.
M.
October 28, 2010 at 11:01 am
great post. I don’t work in public service but I find this topic fascinating.
For one, I think that public service has a bad reputation for slowness and barriers to progress. For every 5 people in the PS that agree with that, there is always one that says “it’s not all like that”.
I suppose my question is: what do you think, if anything, it will take for this change?
I think one problem is the hiring process. I understand that is has to have certain procedural elements to be fair and egalitarian but I read recently the average time it takes to fill a position is 53 weeks.. that’s over a year for each job. The fact that life, let alone business, moves way faster than this means that it is a barrier for qualified candidates as they are likely to get hired somewhere else quicker.
I also think how budgets work (spend it or its gone) is also puzzling because it does nothing to force innovation in terms of costs savings so I guess you could file this under lack of incentive to move things forward quicker or with less costs.
November 9, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Danny,
I love hearing from folks from outside of the public service – you’re our clients!
You’re right, we do have a bad reputation for being slow and laden in red tape. I’ll be that one to say it’s not all like that but in reality, the exceptions are too few.
There is much progress (I hesitate to use the word change as it’s not always forward moving) being made. Specific to the HR front, you’re bang on. As someone who works in the online world, 53 weeks is a lifetime.
Fortunately the dye has been cast and marching orders have been given – we can thank the Clerk for that. http://www.clerk.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?mode=preview&pageId=233
Give it a read – interested in knowing if you think you find it hopeful!
Thanks for popping in.
M.