ABSTRACT
Much of what we have covered in preceding chapters has been concerned with concepts and techniques. In this chapter we explore the issues and challenges of strategic leadership, starting with the introduction of strategic planning as a specific type of innovation. The chapter also looks at some evidence about the benefits of strategic planning innovations in government, alignment of intentions and plans between the political and civil service worlds, tensions between different parts or branches of central government, whole of government ideas, issues of civil servants working with politicians, community strategies and partnership working, and competitive situations in the public services. This chapter looks at both the national level and the local level of government. It serves to highlight the complexity and difficulty facing strategic leadership in the public services.
