Pubic policies are very essential in resolving public issues and controversies. The process of creating public policy is very sensitive and requires proper leadership for viable and practical decisions that are beneficial to the public to be made. The quality of public policies made depends entirely on the leadership traits possessed by those in charge of the public policy making process (Gerston, 2010).
Lack of leadership traits essential for making sound public policies can be very detrimental to the general development and running of a country. Since pubic policy making process is a team effort by a group of leaders, it is necessary for these leaders to have the basic qualities that a policy maker needs to possess.
This paper will highlight some of the leadership qualities required in public policy making process and finally look at examples of leaders with excellent records in creating viable and practical pubic policies.
To begin with, a public policy leader must embrace teamwork since public policy making is a team effort (Koch, 2007). The people being selected to create public policies must have relevant information and expertise concerning a respective policy. This will enable the policy makers to gather relevant information and apply their expertise in developing quality policies that would be beneficial to the public (Koch, 2007).
Although public making policy should include the public and other stakeholders, those leading the process should be experts who have experience in matters concerning the policy at hand. An example of this is when leaders with experience in the armed forces are selected to be in charge of formulating military policies.
A public policy leader should have a high sense of integrity with a selfless attitude. Integrity and selflessness ensures that the policies formulated are for the benefit of the public and not selfish personal interests of leaders or other specific stakeholders (Anderson, 2010).
Those in charge of the public policy making process should be widely travelled which enables them to formulate quality policies based on their experiences in foreign countries. Comparing a variety of examples enables public policy makers to come up with more informed decisions. All leaders make decisions at some point in their duties and this is no exemption public policy making leaders.
Policy making leaders should be decisive because the final decision lies with them after extensive consultation. There are many renowned leaders across the world that are credited with leading the process of formulating public policies that turned out to be beneficial for their countries (Anderson, 2010).
Al Gore is an example of those leaders who are regarded as being instrumental in bringing quality, modern and practical industrial policies in the United States of America when he was the vice president under the Clinton regime. Al Gore is known to see public policy formulation is a way of responding to changing societal need s and a demonstration of one’s leadership.
In conclusion, the right leadership qualities and traits are needed for effective formulation of public policies that are beneficial to the public. A sound education background and experience is essential for those in charge of leading the process of making public policies. Policy makers must be men and women of integrity who have the interest of the public at heart.
References
Anderson, J. (2010). Public policymaking: An introduction. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
Gerston, L. (2010). Public policy making: Process and principles. New York, NY: M.E. Sharpe.
Koch, R. (2007). Public governance and leadership: Political and managerial in. New York, NY: DUV.