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Public Service Leadership: Lead Better to Achieve Success and Happiness
What is the role of a leader? Why do you want to be a leader? Can anyone be a leader? Public Service Leadership will help you answer these questions and more.
Drawing on the rich public service leadership experience of the author, this book introduces the five practices of good leadership (Clarity, Courage, Communications, Caring-ness and Culture); demonstrates how you can be a leader by managing yourself, your boss and luck; and explores the fulfilment of life goals such as success, happiness and friendship.
While the book is about public service leadership, the lessons and stories can also be applied to leaders in the private and non-profit sectors. Even those holding middle or junior positions of organisations can discover how to be better leaders.
Public policy students as well as leaders and managers working in the public and private sectors.
Drawing on the rich public service leadership experience of the author, this book introduces the five practices of good leadership (Clarity, Courage, Communications, Caring-ness and Culture); demonstrates how you can be a leader by managing yourself, your boss and luck; and explores the fulfilment of life goals such as success, happiness and friendship.
While the book is about public service leadership, the lessons and stories can also be applied to leaders in the private and non-profit sectors. Even those holding middle or junior positions of organisations can discover how to be better leaders.
Public policy students as well as leaders and managers working in the public and private sectors.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published December 28, 2024
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12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 24, 2025
Yong Soon’s book is an insightful and enjoyable read, particularly for those, like myself, who are continually seeking ways to improve their leadership abilities. As someone who experiences bouts of self-doubt in my leadership journey, I found this book both relatable and thought-provoking.
At its core, the book presents a logical and structured framework for leadership—covering its definition, motivation, key elements, and the journey to becoming an effective leader. Each chapter is supplemented with footnotes for reflection and enriched with compelling anecdotes from the author, his students, and other established leaders, offering diverse perspectives on leadership.
Key Takeaways
(Spoiler Alert!) The book presents several foundational leadership concepts:
1) Defining Leadership as VIP – Visioning, Implementing, and People Engagement.
2) The 6Cs of Leadership – Clarity, Communication, Courage, Caring, Culture, with Character underpinning them all.
3) Managing Leadership in Three Dimensions – Managing oneself, managing upwards (superiors), and managing sideways (peers), while also recognising the role of luck.
One of the most unexpected yet impactful aspects of the book was its conclusion, where the author frames leadership success through the lenses of Success and Happiness. Drawing from both Eastern and Western philosophies, he references Aristotle’s four stages of happiness and Confucian perspectives on success, offering a well-balanced philosophical reflection on leadership’s ultimate purpose. This ties back beautifully to the book’s opening question: "Why do you want to be a leader?"
My Personal Reflections
Beyond the frameworks and examples, what made this book truly meaningful for me was the reflective journey it prompted. My three biggest takeaways were:
- Leadership is a privilege. Whether leading a team, an organisation, or even a small initiative, it is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
- The balance of hunger, humility, and heart. Always striving for improvement, recognising that we are not always right, having the courage to make decisions with the information available, and possessing the humility to course-correct when necessary. Most importantly, serving others for the greater good.
- Embracing self-doubt. Rather than seeing it as a weakness, I now view it as a grounding force—one that keeps me honest, reflective, and mindful of my responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
While the book provides useful leadership models, what makes it truly impactful is its ability to inspire deep introspection. By the end, it left me with three critical questions that will continue to guide my leadership journey:
- Why do you want to be a leader?
- What is the purpose behind your decisions and actions?
- How will this positively impact others?
Would highly recommend this book to anyone on their own leadership journey, whether they are new to leadership or seasoned leaders looking to refine their approach. It is not just a book about leadership frameworks—it is a book that challenges you to think deeply about your role, your purpose, and the kind of leader you aspire to be.
At its core, the book presents a logical and structured framework for leadership—covering its definition, motivation, key elements, and the journey to becoming an effective leader. Each chapter is supplemented with footnotes for reflection and enriched with compelling anecdotes from the author, his students, and other established leaders, offering diverse perspectives on leadership.
Key Takeaways
(Spoiler Alert!) The book presents several foundational leadership concepts:
1) Defining Leadership as VIP – Visioning, Implementing, and People Engagement.
2) The 6Cs of Leadership – Clarity, Communication, Courage, Caring, Culture, with Character underpinning them all.
3) Managing Leadership in Three Dimensions – Managing oneself, managing upwards (superiors), and managing sideways (peers), while also recognising the role of luck.
One of the most unexpected yet impactful aspects of the book was its conclusion, where the author frames leadership success through the lenses of Success and Happiness. Drawing from both Eastern and Western philosophies, he references Aristotle’s four stages of happiness and Confucian perspectives on success, offering a well-balanced philosophical reflection on leadership’s ultimate purpose. This ties back beautifully to the book’s opening question: "Why do you want to be a leader?"
My Personal Reflections
Beyond the frameworks and examples, what made this book truly meaningful for me was the reflective journey it prompted. My three biggest takeaways were:
- Leadership is a privilege. Whether leading a team, an organisation, or even a small initiative, it is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
- The balance of hunger, humility, and heart. Always striving for improvement, recognising that we are not always right, having the courage to make decisions with the information available, and possessing the humility to course-correct when necessary. Most importantly, serving others for the greater good.
- Embracing self-doubt. Rather than seeing it as a weakness, I now view it as a grounding force—one that keeps me honest, reflective, and mindful of my responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
While the book provides useful leadership models, what makes it truly impactful is its ability to inspire deep introspection. By the end, it left me with three critical questions that will continue to guide my leadership journey:
- Why do you want to be a leader?
- What is the purpose behind your decisions and actions?
- How will this positively impact others?
Would highly recommend this book to anyone on their own leadership journey, whether they are new to leadership or seasoned leaders looking to refine their approach. It is not just a book about leadership frameworks—it is a book that challenges you to think deeply about your role, your purpose, and the kind of leader you aspire to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review