Learn Together, Lead Better

For decades, new public servants learned the subtleties of political acumen the old-fashioned way: by apprenticing under experienced leaders. They had time to observe, absorb, and make sense of the grey zones where politics and bureaucracy meet.

But that model is fading. Many of the most experienced leaders are retiring, and their replacements don’t have the same luxury of time. Today’s new and mid-level leaders are often thrust into senior roles under pressure—sometimes trial by fire. They may believe they understand what they’re seeing, yet may miss the nuances that make or break trust with political counterparts.

That’s why structured, practical learning has never been more urgent. And why small groups are one of the best ways to make it stick.

Why the political–public service relationship matters

At the heart of good governance in Canada is one relationship: alignment on behalf of citizens between the political service and the public service.

When that relationship is strong—when elected leaders provide clear direction, realistic timelines, and respect for the expertise of the public service—governments deliver. When it frays, even the best ideas falter.

Across Canada, that relationship is under strain. Budgets are tightening. Electoral wins are razor-thin. Public trust is fragile. And at times, political leaders have sidelined or dismissed the very institutions they rely on to govern. The result is a more difficult environment for today’s public servants, who must still deliver outcomes that matter to citizens.

That’s why political acumen—the ability to navigate the grey zones where politics and bureaucracy meet—is not a “nice to have.” It is the core leadership skill that helps governments function and public servants thrive.

Why small groups work

Here’s what might surprise you: the best way to learn political acumen isn’t alone—it’s in small groups.

✔ Real conversations: In groups of five or six, leaders don’t just absorb content. They reflect, disagree, and test ideas against real challenges in their ministries, councils, or branches.
✔ Shared accountability: Learning alongside trusted peers makes it easier to apply insights in daily work.
✔ Team alignment: Leaders who take the course together leave with a shared language for political acumen and situational awareness, which strengthens collaboration back on the job.

What I’ve seen in practice

I’ve coached senior leaders who brought their teams into the Inside Public Sector Leadership Full Course as a cohort. The content was the same, but the learning was deeper—because the group created a space to reflect on what resonated, what didn’t, and how it applied in their unique context.

This isn’t a one-day workshop you forget by Monday. The Inside Public Sector Leadership program provides six months of access to the material. That means your group can learn at a sustainable pace, coming back to each module as real-world challenges unfold.

As new issues arise, your team can pause, reflect, and apply what they’ve learned—together. That sustained, iterative approach turns concepts into practice.

One participant said something like this: “We walked away speaking the same language. When political pressure spiked, we weren’t second-guessing each other—we were working together.” That’s the kind of alignment that transforms not just individuals but entire teams.

Why learning is critical now?

I know these are difficult, stressful times for the public service. I hear about it from my coaching clients all the time. Across jurisdictions, governments are freezing hiring and in some cases reducing the workforce. But that makes leadership development more important, not less.

When teams are smaller, expectations don’t shrink—they grow. Political acumen helps leaders anticipate risks, navigate the grey zones, and avoid costly missteps. In a leaner public service, the ability to get it right the first time has never been more critical.

We all know that the public service is not a barrier to progress. It is a source of institutional knowledge, operational continuity, and innovation. It can implement any mandate—if governments choose to engage it well. Strengthening the relationship between politics and the public service is key to good governance in Canada.

Learning political acumen together in a small group is one of the most effective ways to do just that, and the IPSL Full Course is perfectly designed to support you.

Warmly, Ingrid Bergmann

Co-Founder, Inside Public Sector Leadership (IPSL)

👉 View the IPSL Full Course guide