ExecNet Enhancing public sector leadership

ExecNet history

A network set up in 1998. Designed for and organised by senior staff in the Commonwealth public sector in Queensland. ExecNet was originally designed as a forum for all Executive Level 1-2 officers (previously Senior Officer Grades C-A, approximate salary range $55,000pa - $90,000pa) and aimed primarily at meeting their needs. Interested people from SES ranks and state and local government agencies are very welcome also and now form a significant portion of our membership.

It was established in recognition of the need for senior officers in Brisbane for professional development that is appropriate to their needs, interests and circumstances and for the opportunity to network with peers outside their own rganisation to exchange ideas, discuss issues and make contacts. The network has been very successful and is bly supported by an ever increasing membership. 

At the end of 1999 ExecNet achieved a half page account in the State of the Service Report, tabled in parliament in November 1999 and is mentioned in the PSMPC's Annual report for 2000/2001.  A confirmation that networking is seen as a vital skill for all senior staff in the new century.

In September 2000 ExecNet was awarded the inaugural Queensland Commonwealth Regional Heads Forum, 2000 Excellence Award for Cooperation and Collaboration across Agencies. The purpose of the Award is to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the public sector and to promote good practice and sharing of ideas.

ExecNet's charter

" to provide professional and personal benefit to individuals, our agencies, the public sector and the Australian community through:

• exchanging ideas;
• making contacts;
• discussing issues, and
• improving skills.

Background/reasons why a network was established

• Almost 560 Senior Officers/Senior Professional Officers in Queensland. 
• Senior officers are considered the group of officers who will have significant influence on public sector reform (the people who make things happen). Hence they need timely information about changes.
• Some SOs feel professionally isolated and are concerned about the narrowed career path in the regions/states as a result of staff numbers being reduced, flatter structures, broadbanding etc. There is little movement of senior officers between agencies and redeployment is hard at that level. Regular cross agency meetings could assist staff to develop skills and knowledge, provide information about opportunities in other agencies and improve career options.
• Conditions of employment are increasingly different between agencies. Cross agency meetings could allow SOs to become familiar with different employment arrangements and remuneration and assist them when it comes to negotiating their own packages.
• Senior development programmes such as Executive Development Scheme and Senior Women in Management are mostly Canberra focussed and provide little opportunity for state based people who are not able to move/travel for long periods.
• Development opportunities for senior officers could be enhanced by using a network to determine common training and development needs.
• Some form of network for this targeted group operates successfully in several other states eg Senior Officer Network Group in South Australia and the Line Managers Seminars in NSW.

How it started

Senior officers in over 34 Commonwealth agencies in Brisbane were canvassed for their ideas on whether such a network would be useful and, if so, how it should function, what features should it have and what might be the burning issues for officers at this level.  Almost 100 senior officers attended a cocktail launch in July 1998. Dr Peter Shergold, Secretary, Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business who spoke on the subject of public sector leadership in the new millennium.

What's happened  so far

Speakers

Carolyn Barker, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Qld and NT spoke about ‘Soft Skills, the other side of Leadership’.

 Dominic Downie from PSMPC Canberra addressed a capacity audience on ‘Overseas Public Sector Trends’.

Moira Scollay, CEO of Australian National Training Authority gave us her insights into leadership.

Tony Blunn, Departmental Secretary, Attorney-General's, on his future reflections

A challenging address by well known futurist Richard Neville

Building a values based culture with Judy Howard, a senior executive with Woolworths.

Mick Palmer, Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police spoke about Accountable Performance in a Seamless World

Stephen Alexander, Director CommerceNet on  - E-commerce…the meaning of life and everything

Audrey McGibbon, Managing Director SHL and  Phil Minns, Brisbane City Council on Learning from Others

Kerrie Tim, Department of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Policy Development

On Integrated Leadership

Jim Varghese , Director-General Queensland Education talked about the Three Frames of Leadership

Rayne de Gruchy, CEO of the Australian Government Solicitor on Leading an Organisation through Change

Lynne Tacy, Deputy Public Service Commissioner 

Dr Allan Hawke, Secretary of Defence

Sue Vardon, Chief Executive, Centrelink

Andrew Podger, Public Service Commissioner

Other Functions

IWD lunches have become a regular feature since 1999 with popular speakers Margaret Throsby, Maxine McKew,  Angela Pearman,  Nene King and Frances Whiting respectively.  These events are very popular and attract close to 200 people each time.

Our inaugural movie function in Feb 2002, featuring a screening of  Daniel Goleman talking about his Emotional Intelligence theories, with free popcorn, was a sell-out and following your feedback we made this a regular feature, with 2003's function screening an updated 'Leadershift' with Joel Barker..

The final  function of each year, a Christmas one, is usually on a lighter note.   1998 and 2000 were both in the form of a World Series Debate and to end 1999 we staged a Great Hypothetical that would have impressed even Geoffrey Robertson.  For the close of 2001 we held - The Great ExecNet Charity Trivia Night which proved to be rife with inter-agency competition and provided a chance for us all to put something back into the community.  The winning team selected the charity to which the proceeds were sent and a grand total of just over $1400 was raised in less than 3 hours. It was so popular that we held another one in 2002 and have been forced to plan another one for 4 December 2003.  For more information on this event contact Lee Henri at the APSC on 07-32364877.  execnet@apsc.gov.au  

ExecNet’s registered membership now stands at over 450 across 66 different agencies from federal, state and local government circles.

2003 ExecNet calendar snapshot

Events

Friday 7^th March International Womens Day 12.00pm, Lennons Country Comfort, Queen St,
Speaker - Frances Whiting epopular Sunday Mail columnist 

Wednesday 14^th May  at 12.00pm, All Saints Centre, 330 Ann Street
Speaker - Sue Vardon, CEO Centrelink

Thursday 22nd - Saturday 24t^h May at Gold Coast International.

15^th Annual Govt Business Conference
Theme - ‘Positioning our agencies for tomorrow's community’ Speakers - Julian Disney, Pat Barrett, Dr Valerie Braithwaite,  Stephen Alexander, Sue Vardon, Jennie Granger  and others 

Wednesday 27th August, 12.00pm, 300. Ann Street
Young Professionals Forum

Friday 7th November at 11.00am, All Saints Centre, 330 Ann Street
Speaker: Lynne Tacy, Deputy Public Service Commissioner
Topic – Senior Executive Update

4th  December  at 4.00pm, Lennons Country Comfort, Queen St, Great ExeCnet Charity Trivia Night

2004

More Information?

Contact a member of the ExecNet Working Group, contact details are available from the APS Commission on (07) 32364877 or email lee_henri@apsc.gov.au . If you are on email we can send you a personal invitation to the next function, a copy of the most recent ExecNet Letter, a brochure and registration form so you’ll be kept up to date on all upcoming events.  Or you can register direct from elsewhere on this site.