Page 10 By Rosemund R. Warrington, HR/ODE Specialist CARICAD M any of us are familiar with the animated tale of The Grinch, and like many others, I watched it again last Christmas. This time, a particular moment stood out to me. As the Grinch plotted to steal all the Christmas presents in Whoville, he declared to his dog, Max, “We have to be fast and focused.” His words sparked a thought: while his intentions were malevolent, the tactics he embraced— speed and focus — hold valuable lessons for senior public managers. Being fast for the Grinch meant carrying out his plan with speed and efficiency, minimising mistakes and delays; while being focused meant sticking to his goal, avoiding distractions, and directing his energy into achieving his mission. Think about applying these principles, not to steal Christmas, but to tackle the challenges and opportunities senior public managers face in the new year. Taking prompt action and maintaining clarity of purpose are essential for senior public managers to deliver results. Now, let’s leave the Grinch’s stealing aside and focus on the wisdom in that statement. Let’s delve into what it means to be fast and focused in the context of the public sector and how these principles can drive sustainable public sector transformation in 2025. What Does It Mean to Be Fast in the Public Sector? Being fast in the public sector is not about rushing into decisions without intentional thought. It’s about acting with urgency and efficiency especially with regard to time. The world is changing at a pace we have never seen before; from technological advancements to changing cultural landscapes. Public service organisations must adapt quickly to meet the evolving needs of citizens in our region. Speed is essential for delivering results in real time. Think about how quickly governments responded during the Continues on next page
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