Regional Training Workshop on Enhancing Statistical Leadership for Heads of National Statistical Office (NSOs) in the Asia Pacific SIAP
14 – 16 June 2023
UNSIAP, Chiba, Japan
PARIS21 and UNSIAP 
DOSM Representative: Ms. Nazaria Baharudin
Lessons Learnt Day 1
Importance of Social Identity – a leadership essential; builds self-awareness (step 1 to emotional intelligence); is at play in the organisation whether being talked about or not; impacts our influence, power and access; has multiple dynamics and contexts; and is categorised by ourselves and others.
Identity is basically what others think and it impacts how you interact; answering, who am I; building understanding when we know each other; breaking the ice/ more information/ clarity/ knowledge; better decisions; focusing on the purpose of communication; learning who we speak to; how others perceive you; how you portray yourself; aligning intent and impact. Leadership begins with oneself.
Effective leadership comprises key elements: commitment, confidence, communication; alignment, team building, accountability, teamwork, passion, respect for diversity; humility, a clear vision; common goal, direction, purpose; involvement, engagement, adaptability, patience, and risk taker.
Effective leadership is a social process that enables individuals to work together as a cohesive group to produce collective results.
Leadership outcomes comprise Direction, Alignment, and Commitment. Direction is an agreement in the group on overall goals. Alignment means coordination within the group, and Commitment means mutual responsibility for the group.
A leader is a person who engages in and supports the social processes of direction, alignment, and commitment.
Compilation of quotes:
Assume positive intent;Everyone is a leader;Make space: take space;Just you are a manager doesn’t make you a leader;Management is about doing things right; andLeadership is about doing the right thing. Lessons Learnt Day 2 Leading teamsHow do we know we have met business needs and outcomes based on 4 elements: core agreements on how we work together – Direction; cohesion; collective mindset (purpose) -get feedback; and connection (external) i.e. stakeholders.Characteristics of a dysfunctional team – attention to results; no accountability; lack of commitment; fear of conflict and absence of trust We need to understand why we are in the position How do we get from business needs to an outcome?a) short-term: deliverables – data;
b) mid-term-staff satisfaction, value contribution, learning environment, and retention, and
c) long-term institutional impact and need to be sustainable.
Leadership soft skills- awareness of individual preferences and needs; effective communication; influence; strength and weaknesses – strictness and different leadership styles. Leaders need to have a growth mindset. (Interested – Read Growth Mindset by Carol Dwerk) Change management needs to focus on process, structure, and policies, while change leadership needs to focus on mindsets, beliefs, and culture (people). Stages of change: denial; resistance; exploration and commitment. Lessons Learnt Day 3 Influence is the ability to affect the behaviour of others in a particular direction. Influence outcomes depend on influence tactics which in turn have an impact on commitment, compliance and resistance. Influence framework starts with base which includes creating self-awareness, building ability & agility as well as building relationships. The ‘how -tactics’ include using the head, Heart (emotion) and Hands (i.e. I help you and You help Me). Examples of tactics include explaining possible outcomes; I trust you, I believe you; force – Just do it; do what you can; encouragement; gratitude; and threat. Leaders are encouraged to build strategic networks that is having a group of individuals that can assist or provide feedback to you. It should be open, diverse and deep. Around 15 people to be manageable.Stay tuned for the next programmes!
