Have you ever felt that life has proven you wrong? In my case, on many occasions. Let me tell you about one particular time that ended up shaping my career and my life. In fact, it’s the reason why you are reading this article.
“I’ll never work in the public sector”
Before I started my professional life, I used to say ‘I’ll never work in the public sector’. Beforehand (mea culpa for all my preconceptions – my past-self should’ve known better), I associated the public sector with bureaucracy and inefficiency. I felt I couldn’t do anything to change that, so I thought the private sector was a better fit for me.
To give you some context, at the time Ecuador was experiencing a social, economic and political crisis. We’d had seven Presidents in ten years, none of which finished their term. My lack of faith in the government and its ability to improve our lives was a general feeling. People were demonstrating in the streets saying ‘Everyone get out!’ (about the president, the ministers, the congress, everyone). Trust in public institutions was broken.
How do you say no to the President?
In the final year of my undergraduate degree, something crazy happened. My ex-economics professor offered me a job. Not in the university, though. A job in his new role — as President of Ecuador.
My claims that I’d never work in the public sector were challenged. It’s pretty hard to turn down an offer from the President! But not just any president – this was a man for which I had incredible respect, and who had a vision for the country that inspired me. And not just me, but millions of Ecuadorians.
I will need a book (or three) to tell you about my experiences working in the President’s office. But, for now, let me summarize briefly how it all started.
The ‘Transformation Effect’
Working with the President was the exact opposite of what I thought the public sector would be like. Citizens’ wellbeing was at the centre of every meeting, every decision. There was a real commitment to change things. To make them better. The country needed to restore trust in public institutions, to rebuild its social contract. The President wanted to show people what a capable government looked like. To build a country with equal opportunities for all.
The President’s vision was inspiring, but more important, it was translated into action. He believed in what he called the “transformation effect”. In other words, not telling but showing people what a functioning government looked like.
Slowly, day by day, my scepticism turned into hope. Hope for a country that I thought was not possible. Meeting by meeting, decision by decision, I saw good things start to happen. Kids started going to school. Hospitals had supplies. Roads were built. We stopped having power blackouts. Public services improved. In short, the government started to deliver to its citizens. In response, people started to believe in a better future.
I saw and felt the impact that well designed and implemented government policies could have. There is no other place where you could have such an impact. I became passionate about the possibility of change and about making things better, particularly for the most vulnerable in our society.
My scepticism became my motivation
I was fortunate to have experienced the transformative power of government up close. But I knew change required action, not just good intentions. After a couple of years working in government I decided that if I really wanted to contribute to that transformation, then I needed to have the best academic training I could get. I wanted to make a difference but I also felt the responsibility of doing it right. After two years of preparation, I finally got accepted into the university of my dreams, Harvard.
I did the Master of Public Administration and International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School. I couldn’t have chosen a better program. The most valuable thing for me was having a structured way to approach problems. The design of the curriculum helped me put together pieces that were in my head from my 24/7 work in government. It also gave me a community of talented, smart and passionate people that, like me, were dreaming of making the world a better place.
When I became a Cabinet Minister, I felt I had the required tools to be more effective at my job. It was as if I had an organizer in the back of my mind. A framework that gave me the structure I needed to put together the pieces of a puzzle.
Over a decade working in government has completely changed my perspective of what the public sector is, can be and should be. My work as an independent consultant in several international organizations has reinforced that view.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet smart, hard-working and committed public servants that are making a difference in Ecuador and around the world. They all wake up every morning hoping that their work helps to make their country a better place. They aspire to make an impact. And they inspire me to make an impact.
Which brings me to Better Govs, and to you
Fast-forward almost 15 years now (wow, 15 years!) and here we are.
I firmly believe in the power of an effective government creating equal opportunities for all, particularly the most vulnerable. Even when there are bad politicians, there is hope. The possibility to change and to make things better. Regardless of the politics, there are always committed public servants, development practitioners and people working in or with the public sector that can make a difference. People like you!
When I started Better Govs four months ago my goal was to share what I had learned in government. The idea has evolved and my commitment has grown. I want Better Govs to be a site for public servants and development practitioners that want to have an impact but struggle to bring ideas into action. Better Govs offers ideas, tools and resources to improve public policy implementation.
The Public Policy Made Simple guide I shared with you last week is just an example of the resources I am working on.
I believe in the power of a nurturing community. People that share our values and our mission. People that are inspired by the opportunity the public sector offers to improve people’s lives. We all know that it is hard to get things done in the public sector. Imagine a space where we can learn from each other and support each other in the struggles that come with policy implementation. That is what I hope to create with the Better Govs Project. If this resonates with you, join our new Facebook Group.
I would love to hear more about you, tell me, what does the public sector mean to you?
Photo credit: Jess Bailey on Unsplash
