Why this programme
Across the public and social sectors, leaders today are navigating increasing complexity—balancing policy intent with ground realities, managing diverse stakeholder needs, and delivering outcomes while adapting to constant change. Yet, many transformation efforts stall not due to a lack of ideas, but because leading change in these environments requires a different approach to leadership.
This programme equips leaders with the capabilities to lead transformation in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Delivered through a 2-day immersive workshop with small group coaching, it creates space for deep reflection, hands-on application, and peer learning. Drawing on the practices of design leaders and Chief Design Officers globally, participants will learn how to work across systems, enable innovation within teams, and take action in uncertainty—turning ideas into meaningful impact in policies, services, and programmes.
Date
New enrolment date to be released
Duration (Hours)
12 hours (2 days)
Time
10am – 5pm SGT
Format
In-person in Singapore. Venue details to follow.
Price
$2,400 excluding 9% GST
Who is this for
Directors, Deputy Directors, and Senior Public Leaders
Cross-agency, systems stewards & programme owners
NGO, non-profit and mission-led organisation leaders
Changemakers leading amidst complexity, doubt, or disconnection
Anyone sensing that how we lead must change before what we deliver can
Learning outcomes
Make sense of complex issues and align stakeholders
Reframe challenges across policies, services, and ground realities, and bring different teams and partners towards a shared understanding and direction.
Strengthen empathetic leadership in your work
Understand what matters to your teams, citizens, and partners, and use these insights to lead more effectively and make decisions that create real impact.
Create space for innovation within constraints
Identify what is blocking new ideas in your team, and introduce practical ways to encourage participation, trust, and problem-solving.
Navigate resistance and uncertainty through action
Shift your leadership mindset, navigate uncertainty, and move work forward by testing small, practical improvements in your services, processes, or team practices
What you'll learn
Day 1
Leading Innovation Across Systems and Stakeholders
Day 1 focuses on leading across systems and people. Participants will explore the evolving landscape of public sector leadership, learn to work across stakeholders using networked leadership, and strengthen empathetic leadership to better understand behaviours, motivations, and resistance.
Segment 1: Leadership in a Changing Public Sector Landscape
Segment 2: Introducing Public Sector Design Leadership (PSDL)
Segment 3: Networked Leadership — Working Across Systems
Segment 4: Empathetic Leadership — Connecting and Understanding
Day 2
Enabling Innovation and Navigating Ambiguity
Day 2 focuses on enabling innovation and leading through uncertainty. Participants will identify and address creative blockers, build psychological safety within teams, and develop adaptive leadership by applying experimentation to real public and social sector challenges.
Segment 1: Creative Leadership — Recognising Creative Blockers in the Public Sector
Segment 2: Creative Leadership — Building Conditions for Creativity and Participation
Segment 3: Adaptive Leadership — Navigating Ambiguity and Resistance
Segment 4: Summing it up all
1.5-Hour Group Coaching
Participants will take part in small-group coaching to apply design leadership to real work challenges and receive guided feedback.
Meet your trainers
Regional Director, ThinkPlace Singapore and Asia
Dr. Debbie Ng
Date
New enrolment date to be released
Duration (Hours)
12 hours (2 days)
Time
10am – 5pm SGT
Format
In-person in Singapore. Venue details to follow.
Price
$2,400 excluding 9% GST