STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND ENHANCING PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This academic paper presents a paradigm shift in public administration amidst the volatile and complex environment of the 21st century, focusing on analyzing the link between strategic leadership competence and the effectiveness of public organizations. Improving public administration requires two key driving factors: a shift in organizational culture from vertical to horizontal agility, where leaders move from authoritarian command to decentralized decision-making to operational levels, and the dismantling of silos and the creation of flexible cross-functional teams; and the management of public innovation and shared value creation, shifting the government's role from a service monopoly to a central platform connecting the private sector and civil society to create innovations that truly meet the needs of the people. Furthermore, the paper introduces five new areas of knowledge regarding emerging public administration: building an ecology of trust, dynamic management through semi-formal structures, open innovation for the masses, total value assessment, and proactive predictive leadership. The conclusion of the study indicates that strategic leadership is a crucial mechanism for transforming the bureaucratic system from a reactive to a proactive approach focused on results and sustainability, leading to tangible long-term trust, confidence, and improved quality of life for citizens.