Growing in Your Profession: The Quality of Civil Service Craftsmanship!

Introduction

I currently work on a long-term assignment for a municipality in The Netherlands. In the hectic world of public administration, we face new challenges daily. Being a civil servant in the current era is demanding. The best support to have direction and stability is to ensure that you are and feel competent in your field. It’s about more than just knowledge of rules and procedures. In my view, it revolves around continuously developing skills, broadening perspectives, and the ability to effectively navigate an increasingly complex environment because residents, entrepreneurs, or organisations in Amsterdam expect a lot from us as civil servants.

Expectations of the Citizen

Citizens expect not only efficiency and reliability from civil servants, but also insight, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Your abilities translate for them into, among other things:

1. Your responsiveness: your ability to quickly and adequately respond to citizens’ questions and needs.
2. Your transparency: clearly explaining complex processes and decisions made.
3. Your integrity: consistently acting according to ethical principles, laws, and regulations.
4. Choices for customization: potentially delivering personalized service within legal frameworks. These are not easy tasks and thus require constant attention through self-reflection on your qualities.

Self-reflection: The Basis of Growth begins with awareness. It’s essential to critically examine your work, not to criticize yourself, but to identify growth opportunities. Ask yourself questions like:

1. When did I last feel truly proud of my work?
2. What problem would I like to solve, but don’t know how yet?
3. Who would I like to brainstorm with about a professional field? These questions are just a starting point. The real challenge lies in taking action based on your answers. Let’s elaborate on each point:

Proud of your work 

When you last felt proud of your work, what made that situation special? Was it the skills you used, the impact you made, or the collaboration with others? Identify these elements and consciously seek opportunities to integrate them more often into your work. Perhaps you can initiate a project that combines these aspects, or share your expertise in a working group.

Unsolved problems 

Every problem you can’t solve yet is an opportunity to grow. But how do you approach that? Start by mapping out the problem. What knowledge or skills are you missing to tackle it? Then search specifically for resources that can help you. Consider courses, relevant literature, or colleagues with complementary expertise.

Brainstorming with others Identifying people you want to brainstorm with is one thing, but how do you make it concrete? Start by setting up informal conversations. Invite a colleague for coffee and share your interest in their work. Ask questions, listen actively, and share your dilemmas and insights. These conversations can grow into regular exchanges or even formal mentorships.

Strengthening the Connection: The Key to Collective Growth.

Individual growth is important, but the real power lies in collective development. By making connections, you create a network of knowledge and experience that reaches far beyond your capabilities. Here are some ways to put this into practice:

1. Cross-departmental projects: Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other departments. This not only offers new perspectives but also helps break down silos.
2. Knowledge exchange sessions: Organize regular meetings where colleagues can share their expertise. These can be formal presentations, but also interactive workshops or brainstorming sessions.
3. Shadow days: Spend a day with a colleague from another department. This provides insight into other work processes and can lead to surprising innovations in your work.
4. External networks: Look beyond your organization. Participate in professional conferences, join professional networks, or collaborate with other government institutions or the private sector.

Concrete Steps Towards Growth.

 Now that we’ve laid a foundation, it’s time for action. Here are some concrete steps you can take to strengthen your professional competence:

1. Start small and make a plan setting one goal for the next 3-6 months. Be specific about which skill you want to develop and how you’re going to approach it.
2. Actively seek a mentor within the organization, or make yourself available as a mentor for colleagues. This exchange of experiences and perspectives is invaluable for professional growth.
3. Reflection journal: Keep a weekly reflection journal where you note what you’ve learned or still want to learn, what challenges you’ve encountered, and how you’ve addressed them.

Concluding 

Civil service craftsmanship is not a final destination, but an ongoing journey. It requires an open mindset, the willingness to learn from others, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. By consciously investing in your growth and that of your colleagues, you contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. Our team’s mission is to facilitate, inspire, and motivate colleagues to discover together how to apply craftsmanship in their work. We do this through conversations, training, and actively seeking connections.