Happy Friday,
Last week, our CareerJoy public sector team spent two days in downtown Ottawa at the annual APEX (Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada) Leadership Summit, connecting face-to-face with hundreds of senior government executives.
As an official APEX learning partner, CareerJoy was proud to be on-site, supporting leaders at the intersection of complexity and clarity. We held dozens of conversations, hosted a leadership poll at our booth, and offered grounded insight from our experience delivering real-time leadership and career solutions across government.
The timing couldn’t have been more significant. With a new Prime Minister at the helm, a freshly mandated Cabinet focused on measurable outcomes and shifting national priorities—from AI readiness to rising tariffs and global trade disruption—the tone across the public service has shifted.
This is no longer “business as usual.” The public sector is being asked to move faster, deliver more clearly, and lead through more complexity than ever before.
“We’re entering a performance era. And the expectations are high.” — Executive attendee, APEX.
We engaged in dozens of meaningful conversations on leadership, AI, psychological safety, hybrid team culture, and what works (and what doesn’t). Over 200 leaders visited our booth, and many more connected with us during working groups and hallway moments.
We also ran a live poll asking:
“What is leadership in change to you?”
Here’s what executives told us:
These weren’t just words—they echoed what we heard across the floor:
A need for authentic leadership, not just title-based authority. A need for support, not just pressure.
What the Clerk Reinforced
In a highly anticipated keynote, John Hannaford, Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council, addressed these themes, framing a clear shift in how the public service must lead.
Here’s what stood out and how it echoed what we were already hearing:
1. Efficiency Is Non-Negotiable
“It’s not enough to say you’re doing the work—you must show outcomes.”
In this new political context, delivery matters. Leaders are being asked to show real progress, not just activity. Many shared the growing pressure to eliminate internal bottlenecks and focus on results that Canadians can see and feel.
2. AI Is Here—and Most Teams Feel Unprepared
“Public servants are exploring AI, but only 32% say they have clear direction on how to use it responsibly.”
We often hear this: leaders want to move forward with AI, but without clear guidance, the risk of hesitation—or misstep—is real. There’s no time to wait for a perfect policy. Teams need smart guardrails, ethical frameworks, and hands-on support.
That’s why AI & Change Leadership have become one of the most emerging themes this year.
3. Return to Office (RTO) Isn’t a Culture Strategy
The Clerk emphasized RTO as part of rebuilding culture. But many executives respectfully disagreed:
“Being in the building doesn’t build trust. Leadership does.”
The culture leaders want to create can’t be mandated—it must be cultivated through values, conversations, and consistency. That’s driving demand for deeper engagement through hybrid team workshops, resilience training, and trust-building experiences.
4. Leadership Itself Must Evolve
“The old model of command-and-control doesn’t work anymore.”
The future belongs to those who can coach, listen, adapt, and empower. Our poll echoed this reality—“Listening” ranked #1 among leadership qualities.
One executive put it bluntly:
“We’re managing humans, not spreadsheets.”
5. Trust Is the New Currency of Change
According to Gartner, 74% of employees say they’re open to change if they trust their leaders.
It’s not just about change management—it’s about emotional credibility. Leaders are asked to guide teams through uncertainty while being real, grounded, and clear.
That’s why our programs, which focus on psychological safety, adaptive leadership, and ethical decision-making, resonate deeply across departments.
Where Do We Go From Here?
At CareerJoy, we’re supporting leaders across the federal public service with human-first, AI-smart solutions that help:
This is the moment to move beyond hallway talk and into action, clarity, and the kind of leadership Canada needs now.
We’re here to support you with tools that match the moment—and the trust it takes to lead through it. Explore our Public Sector Leadership & Change Solutions.
Along the road with you,
P.S. In times of transition, how you support your people matters. Outplacement isn’t just about exits—it’s about protecting trust, reputation, and relationships. Connect with Matt Goff, VP Partner Solutions, at 1-877-256-2569 or matt.goff@careerjoy.com to learn more.
Start the conversation about transition support
P.P.S. Leading through complexity takes more than good intentions—it takes modern tools, adaptive leaders, and a culture that builds trust. Reach out to Matt Goff, VP Partner Solutions, at 1-877-256-2569 or matt.goff@careerjoy.com to explore leadership and team development solutions that meet the moment.
