In pursuit of integrity in public service
Salutations
My letter of invitation advised that I was being invited to engage with you as a motivational speaker. I take that to mean that my words should be intended to incite you, prompt you or propel you towards a certain positive course of action. I will do my best to achieve that end. To that end I have chosen to ground my remarks this evening in the following theme – “In pursuit of integrity in public service.”
I have had the privilege of serving in leadership positions in the Anguilla Public Service and therefore I am very aware that the Public Service is well equipped with documents designed and intended to guide officers to do the right thing, every day and all day. We all know that sadly this does not always happen. Why is this so? We all know that the simple answer is that many of you, persons who are charged with doing the right thing or with ensuring that the right thing is done fail to commit yourselves to that task. As a result the perception of many persons is that the Anguilla Public Service is a substandard institute, comprising of inferior individuals offering mediocre service. Individually and collectively you can change that view.
In 2006, as part of my bid to serve as Deputy Governor, I was required to articulate and sell my vision for the Anguilla Public Service. I did that, and for my ten-year tenure as Deputy Governor that vision held pride of place on the DG Website. I note that my vision lives on, as despite my departure from the office of Deputy Governor in 2016 it still holds pride of place on the Deputy Governor’s Website. I, therefore, feel fairly safe in referencing it, as it appears to have been wholly adopted by my successor.
I envisioned a public service where officers are acutely aware of their role in the accomplishments of the goals of the nation, the government, a ministry, a department or a unit. I observed that such awareness would generate recognition of each officer’s potential to influence decisions and to effect change. The result I opined would be a public service that will be proactive, responsive and dynamic. I noted that attitudes that reflect these qualities are absolutely essential in Anguilla.
I trust that this evening’s awardees have exemplified the qualities, which I envisioned, hence their selection for the various awards. While recognition for exemplary service is to be welcomed, I am of the firm opinion that optimum performance in the public service reflects a personal desire, on the part of persons, to serve with distinction and that such persons do not consider the need for any reward, save their monthly salary and the satisfaction of knowing that their service is benefitting another human being and their country. This evening’s proceedings should be about deserved recognition but not about coveted recognition. In each category only one person can be selected, so these awards alone cannot be the successful driver to improved performance. That drive and desire must come from within each of you.
Optimum service is a reflection of the integrity of those offering such service. Sadly, exhibiting integrity in public service often means you must go against the current. The prevailing current in the public service often seems to be one of delay. Telephone calls go unreturned; correspondence goes unanswered; and requested meetings are regularly postponed. From my vantage point recently, these are attitudes which can be attributed to far too many public officers, and often very senior public officers. I would like to see a public service where more of you dare to be different and offer the service you’re being paid to offer. That simple act is one of integrity.
Very often persons are left with the impression that public officers function from the perspective that might is right. In other words, it appears that since the public officer has the authority he or she will have the last word even if the action he or she is proposing is absolutely wrong. Other officers fail to conduct themselves with integrity, when they choose to ignore their colleagues’ failings and don’t adhere to standards clearly set out in the documents governing the Anguilla Public Service.
It would serve us well to note that infractions that you consider too trivial to merit your attention today are the precursors to major issues, which you might then find difficult to address because a culture of acceptance has been nurtured and you were a part of nurturing that culture. I am reminded of the poetic confession of Martin Niemoller. a German Lutheran pastor who initially supported Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and like many others failed to speak out against his tyrannical actions. It goes like this:-
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Do not ignore the occasions where action appears to have been taken purely to facilitate an individual or individuals without regard for the merits or demerits of the situation. Do not ignore those occasions where the action being taken is designed purely to disadvantage an officer, while facilitating the agenda of another. I often commented, while I served as Permanent Secretary Public Administration and as Deputy Governor, that a public officer could only be deliberately disadvantaged with the collusion of a number of individuals and entities. There is ample opportunity in the public service system for public officers, particularly senior public officers, Department Heads, Permanent Secretaries, Public Administration officials, Public Service Commission members, the Deputy Governor and the Governor to raise their objections and in some instances to single-handedly prevent injustices to public officers. Failure to act, to prevent or to register objection to clear injustices to fellow officers is an indication of an absence of integrity of such persons. Honest communication, which includes speaking truth to power, is essential to ensuring integrity in public service.
Public officers who proudly proclaim that they are all about themselves, to the exclusion of concern for others, are clearly demonstrating a lack of integrity. I understand that this is the attitude of some public officers. I trust that many of you are still conscious of the need to raise your hand or your voice in support of your fellow man, whether he or she is an internal or external customer of the public service. You can’t see things as being all about you and yet expect to guard the integrity of the public service and its processes and procedures.
It is, of course, possible that raising your hand or your voice, in support of your fellow man, is likely to expose you to the wrath of persons who may have some influence over your future in the public service. If your desire to secure your future in the public service motivates you to support unbecoming conduct, your integrity is questionable and you are unlikely to be capable of assisting in delivering the vision that still holds pride of place on the Deputy Governor’s Website.
When systems fail, it is unusual for blame to be solely attributable to just one individual. A system is only as good as the persons who administer or work within that system. Failure to accost a colleague, whether senior, equal in office or subordinate to you, for their obvious shortcomings helps to create the system that currently operates and is viewed as substandard and mediocre by many persons. Reluctance to be responsive; to meet acceptable deadlines; or to offer clear and appropriate responses to customer queries, all help to create an environment of inefficiency and ineffectiveness. In short, the environment in which you work is one created by you and your colleagues. Without your collusion it cannot easily exist. My parting observation is, therefore, simply this – the next time you find yourself commenting negatively about the public service, look to yourself and make sure that you are trying to be a part of the solution, rather than being a part of any problems plaguing the public service.
In the now well-established vision for the Anguilla Public Service, it is observed that the expressed vision will not be easily achieved, but it is achievable. An improved public service requires work on the part of all stakeholders and often requires that you become unpopular with persons who could possibly affect your trajectory in the public service. I lived the life, so I feel quite comfortable raising the issues I have raised with you, as I am not asking you to do anything that I didn’t do while serving in the Anguilla Public Service. Challenge each other and be prepared to be challenged. It is the only way that real and sustained improvements can be achieved in the Anguilla Public Service.
I extend congratulations to this evening’s honorees and offer best wishes to public officers, individually and collectively, and look forward to regular references, by your internal and external customers, to an improved public service that is reflected in the responsiveness of public officers.
I thank the organisers of this Awards Ceremony for this opportunity to address you and I trust that I have left you with something to chew on, as you strive to offer public service with integrity. I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Do enjoy the rest of your evening.
(Published without ediitng by The Anguillian newspaper.)
