For the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), leadership development intervention is regarded as a critical component at this juncture when the civil service is undergoing a major transformation. In line with this, more than 120 principals and vice principals from the education sector, and executives working in various government agencies have been trained under the “Nurturing Leadership Programme.” The programme marked its closure this morning.
At the closing ceremony held at the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies, the participants put up a project exhibition and a Gallary Walk.
Unlike the quintessential training format, this one focused on participatory leadership skills where the participants acquired newfound skills in building teams, performance accountability, problem-solving and decision-making. The training began last October.
Prime Minister said such leadership training will enhance efficiency in rendering services to the public.
“Today’s presentations are mostly IT based, mostly digital-driven, it is about a lot to do with data, which is good. We must make a beginning at one point but make sure that this is being followed, make sure it is implemented well, and make sure that every stakeholder understands it well. This is because at least about 60 to 65 per cent of our population is still in rural and have no IT literacy,” remarked the Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tshering.
For the participants, Nurturing Leadership Programme (NLP) was timely.
“The world is going through a very difficult time and we live in volatile and uncertain times. So in this kind of situation, we would really need very important and effective leaders and this NLP course has actually made me learn all the tools that are needed towards becoming an effective leader,” shared Phuntsho Namgyal, who is the Director of the Department of Geology and Mines under the Economic Affairs Ministry.
Other participants also underlined how the training has empowered them with leadership skills.
“I had an enriching learning experience in the past one year. Nurturing Leadership program has really empowered all of us here with leadership tools that are usable, manageable, and applicable in our day-to-day official atmosphere. I feel it is not much of a challenge when it comes to implementing, because while we are undergoing the training, we were always given the opportunity to exercise and try implementing those tools,” commented Wangmo, the Principal of Gelephu Middle Secondary School in Sarpang.
The RCSC has collaborated with Ulrich Allen Leadership Capital, which is the US-based consulting firm to implement the Nurturing Leadership Programme.
‘‘We know leadership is key to organisational performance, and sustainability, so we wanted to provide modern skills and competencies to our civil service leaders,” told the Commissioner of the RCSC, Danapati Mishra.
The commission expects to organise similar leadership training in the near future.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Pema Lhaden