𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

…𝑹𝑰𝑮𝑺𝑺 𝒎𝒐𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔’ 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒎, 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝑰, 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

By Sonam Choden

The development of effective leadership in the public service sector is paramount to ensuring the delivery of quality governance and services to citizens. The Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS), in collaboration with the Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration, recently conducted the Mobile Leadership Programme, designed to enhance leadership competencies among public servants. The program’s approach to leadership training, which incorporated modules on professionalism, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, communication skills, organizational culture, and artificial intelligence (AI), proved to be a significant influence on participants’ understanding and application of leadership principles within their professional environments.

The RIGSS Mobile Leadership Program was designed to offer a comprehensive approach to leadership training, integrating both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. The program’s interactive sessions, case studies, and discussions provided participants with an opportunity to critically assess leadership challenges and decision-making processes in dynamic and complex public service environments. RIGSS assesses the impact of the training by collecting immediate feedback from participants after each session, focusing on participants satisfaction, the effectiveness of the training modules, facilitator performance, and the knowledge acquired by the participants.

“Participants are encouraged to provide suggestions for improvement, which helps refine future sessions. Furthermore, RIGSS employs follow-up mechanisms to track long-term behavioral changes, leadership effectiveness, and contributions to institutional transformation, assessing how the training translates into tangible outcomes within organizations,” said an official from RIGSS. This approach enables RIGSS to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for further enhancement.

For participants like Thinley Gyeltshen, Livestock Supervisor of Shingkhar, the program has been an eye-opening journey, shedding light on the importance of strategic problem-solving, effective communication, and the integration of innovative technologies in his work. The program’s interactive sessions, case studies, and in-depth discussions have broadened participants’ perspectives, particularly on the importance of teamwork and strategic decision-making. “The Mobile Leadership Program has been an incredibly enriching experience,” shared Thinley. “It has provided me with valuable takeaways, including the significance of building professionalism and the right mindset in public service, cultivating mindfulness and emotional intelligence, and understanding the growing role of artificial intelligence in decision-making,” he said.

For Deputy Chief Agriculture Extension Officer, L.B. Biswa, a significant aspect of the program was the in-depth exploration of professionalism, which emphasized the fundamental attributes of effective leadership. The professionalism module was identified as the most beneficial part of the training, emphasizing qualities such as integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making. “The focus on self-discipline and leading by example stood out,” he said. He further explained that these qualities are crucial for fostering long-term success, not only for leaders themselves but also for the teams they lead.

For those in specialized fields like agriculture, the principles of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and communication are vital tools for fostering stronger relationships with stakeholders. Thinley elaborated on how these concepts could enhance his work with farmers. “I plan to use emotional intelligence to actively listen to the challenges faced by farmers and respond with empathy,” he explained. “Mindfulness will help me stay fully engaged during training sessions, allowing me to provide the most relevant advice. Effective communication is key to simplifying agricultural practices and motivating farmers to adopt better management practices.” Through applying these principles, he aims to create stronger relationships with farmers, boost their confidence, and ultimately increase agricultural productivity within the community.

Another key component of the training program was the module on artificial intelligence (AI), which offered valuable insights into the potential of technology to transform public service delivery. Thinley emphasized the significant role AI can play in enhancing the efficiency of public services, particularly in the agricultural sector. “AI has the potential to transform the efficiency of public services, especially in agriculture,” he remarked. “From its ability to analyze data, forecast trends, and optimize resource management for improving service delivery in various areas.” For instance, AI technology could be used to automate irrigation systems, improving water management even in remote agricultural areas. The AI module expanded the understanding of how technology can be integrated into the public sector to improve efficiency, decision-making, and public service delivery. Furthermore, the module also focused on the ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in public service, as well as the importance of engaging citizens in the process of technology implementation. These themes were essential in ensuring that participants not only understood the technical aspects of AI but also considered its societal impacts and the need for inclusive decision-making.

Ugyen Tenzin, a teacher at Yebilabtsa Central School, shared his experience, stating that the program had been a catalyst for personal transformation. “The program was informative and created a space for me to reflect on myself and become a better human,” he explained. Through engaging in meaningful discussions and real-world leadership scenarios, participants were able to gain practical insights into effective leadership practices. As a teacher, Ugyen found the program particularly beneficial in integrating technology to ease his professional duties. “ChatGPT has been instrumental in lesson preparation, creating PowerPoint presentations, and developing other teaching materials, which has made my work much easier,” he noted.

Likewise, Tshering Denker, a teacher at Zhemgang Central School, said that the pivotal area of focus in the program was the importance of organizational trust, particularly in the teaching profession. She emphasized that creating a transparent and open environment is key to fostering trust. “As a teacher, promoting transparency, active listening, and constructive feedback will help build a culture of trust among my students and colleagues. Communication will be at the heart of this,” she explained. “It has helped me enhance my leadership capabilities, improve communication within the workplace, and contribute to fostering a robust organizational culture,” she added. She further said that through focusing on key areas such as artificial intelligence, trust, and professionalism, the program would equip her with the tools necessary to drive innovation and implement effective solutions in her professional environment.

As a direct outcome of participating in the program, Biswa plans to implement several changes in his daily work. “I intend to make more strategic decisions, empower my team, and enhance communication with farmers,” he said. The training has inspired a shift towards using more interactive training methods, actively seeking feedback from farmers, and integrating technology to enhance outreach efforts, ensuring that the agricultural community benefits from the most up-to-date and practical advice, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural practices and strengthening the overall impact of the program.

“The program has transformed my view of leadership as a responsibility to serve and inspire,” Thinley stated. “It’s about upholding ethical standards, fostering professionalism, and setting a benchmark for excellence through integrity and continuous improvement,” he said.

“Professionalism goes beyond just following the rules—it’s about integrity, accountability, and fostering a culture of respect,” Tshering said. “This program has made me more aware of how important these qualities are in leadership. It’s about setting the example and creating a work environment where people feel respected, valued, and encouraged to grow,” she said.

The collaboration between the Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration and RIGSS for this training is viewed as an important step toward enhancing leadership in public service. Tshering expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the training, noting that the Zhemgang staff never anticipated gaining access to such a program. She attributed this chance to the foresight of their Dasho and the expertise of the RIGSS team. “This is the kind of leadership development we need more of—empowering professionals across all regions and encouraging the adoption of modern tools like AI for better governance,” she added.

“This sort of training should have been implemented long ago,” Thinley commented. “It offers equal opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to gain a deeper understanding of leadership principles and professionalism,” he said. Looking ahead, Biswa also believes that similar programs should be conducted frequently throughout the country. “The program’s impact can be far-reaching,” he concluded. “Through replicating and expanding such training initiatives across the country, we can create a more effective and professional public service, fostering stronger leadership and better service delivery to communities.”

As part of its expansion efforts, RIGSS has successfully covered seven Dzongkhags—Pemagatshel, Samtse, Zhemgang, Monger, Lhuntse, Trashi Yangtse, and Trashigang—providing training to over 2,200 public servants, with plans to extend the program to encompass all other Dzongkhags. However, the scaling process presents logistical challenges, particularly in remote and rural areas, which include the lack of adequate training facilities, high-speed internet, and presentation equipment. To mitigate these issues, RIGSS has collaborated with Dzongkhag Administrations and schools, leveraging available resources to ensure the continued effectiveness of the training.

The RIGSS Mobile Leadership Program has proven to be a transformative experience for participants, providing them with the tools to enhance leadership, professionalism, and overall service delivery within the public sector. With the integration of emotional intelligence, mindfulness, communication skills, and AI, the future of public service looks poised for innovation and continued growth.