A 'quick scan' of the literature on management and leadership reveals
a wealth of writings.(1) This article offers a broad overview and some
thoughts, based on personal observation and experience, on future man
agement and leadership needs in the Australian public sector. The pres
ent article first outlines, by way of illustration, some key pressures
for continuing change within Australia's public sector and their poss
ible implications for future management needs Second; it addresses the
distinction between 'management' and 'leadership'; and suggests that
while the requirements placed on public sector management will continu
e to change, the skills required of public sector leaders are essentia
lly timeless (and differ in some respects, from private sector stereot
ypes of 'leadership'). Finally the article suggests why and how we sho
uld be seeking to develop 'leadership in depth' within public sector o
rganisations, drawing on some illustrations from the Australian Depart
ment of Administrative Services.