Do you lead work where trust, integrity, outcomes and public expectations are in tension?

This executive course is designed for senior public sector leaders who want to better recognise and respond to the trust dilemmas emerging across contemporary public service. Drawing on insights drawn from working with hundreds of senior public service leaders, the course invites participants to examine the foundations of trust and trustworthiness, as well as what this requires in practice — not only from institutions, but from leaders, teams and decision-makers.

It is ideal if you:

• lead policy, regulatory, program, service delivery or reform work
• navigate decisions where trust, ethics, delivery and accountability intersect
• want to better understand the difference between being trusted and being trustworthy
• need to create the conditions for more open conversations about judgement, integrity and public value
• want practical habits for identifying and working through trust dilemmas in your own context

This course is designed for senior public sector leaders, and senior policy, regulatory and program leaders.

This focused half-day masterclass explores the evolving landscape of trust in the public sector. Participants will unpack the emergent trust dilemmas public sector employees face — between trust and trustworthiness, integrity and outcomes, and the delegation of trust.

Grounded in the public sector mandate, the course supports leaders to recognise how trust dilemmas show up in their own work and to develop practical ways of responding with greater clarity, judgement and ethical awareness.

Through guided discussion, reflection and practical application, participants will explore the relationship between trust, the social contract, public expectations and leadership responsibility.

Key topics include:

• trust and its relationship to public service and the social contract
• the difference between being trusted and being trustworthy
• the foundations of trust for systems, institutions and individual leaders
• the tension between integrity, delivery, outcomes and accountability
• delegated trust and what it means for leaders and organisations
• how trust dilemmas show up in policy, regulation, programs and service delivery
• habits and practices for normalising conversations about trust
• translating trust, ethics and judgement into practical leadership behaviours

• Engage with the concept of trust and its relationship to public service and the social contract.
• Distinguish between being trusted and being trustworthy.
• Recognise emerging trust dilemmas facing public service leaders and organisations.
• Identify how trust dilemmas may present in your own leadership, team or organisational context.
• Understand the roots of ethical disagreement and why trust-related issues can be difficult to resolve.
• Recognise your own tendencies and blind spots when engaging in ethically complex conversations.
• Apply practical strategies to navigate disagreement and trust dilemmas more constructively.
• Establish habits and practices for normalising and navigating trust dilemmas in your workplace

Planning to book for a team? A bulk booking discount is available when you register three or more participants or bundle three or more courses.

Many of our courses can also be delivered exclusively for your organisation, either virtually or in person, and tailored to suit your team’s needs. Contact us to discuss your booking and available options.

If you would like to learn more about this course or our other offerings, please contact the IPAA ACT team on 02 6154 9800 or capability@act.ipaa.org.au.