Page 3 By Rosemund Warrington HR&ODE Strategic Lead Rising into Responsibility I still remember my first day reporting for duty at the Government Headquarters. The building itself carried a quiet sense of importance, history, standing tall as the seat of national administration. For decades, its five floors had witnessed the shaping of policy, the drafting of laws, and the execution of decisions that touched the lives of every citizen. As I entered, the gentle ripples of the fishpond on the ground floor caught my eye - a small but moving reminder that life flows calmly even in a place charged with weighty decisions. My office was on the fifth floor. Climbing those steps felt like more than a physical hike. It was an initiation into public service, a rise into responsibility. I was young, eager, and filled with the kind of nervous energy that comes with stepping into something bigger than myself. Reaching my floor, I paused for a moment, proud to be given the chance to serve. There and then, I made a silent promise to myself: to be diligent, to uphold integrity, and to give my best to the people of my country. This reflection stemmed from the fact that, at that stage of my youth, I was profoundly inspired by the dedication of the public officers I knew personally. Their commitment taught me that public servants work for the community, not for private interests. Their respect for the public’s trust ensured that government services were delivered with fairness and efficiency. Over the course of two decades in public service, I came to see diligence as the compass that directed my every decision. This ethos shaped my approach in every role I held, starting as an administrative clerk and culminating in my service as a senior public official. In the public sector, diligence is often invoked as a desirable trait - one tied to reliability, hard work, and professionalism. Yet, its true meaning and application are often clouded by misinterpretation and sometimes aligned with political loyalty. This article highlights the lessons I learned in the public service and the deeper virtues of disciplined service and civic responsibility. Each principle of the acronym D.I.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. is aligned with behaviours and practices that strengthen resilient public administration. Guiding Principles are included to encourage public officers to think critically about how they apply these values in their work. • Continues on the next page
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