I’ve Got the Power! A Social Pedagogical Exploration of Power Dynamics in Relational Leadership and Practice Within Public Services: The Emerging Relational Approach to Public Services

Abstract

In response to the impact of New Public Management (NPM), there is a growing awareness of the importance of relational leadership and practice in public services, with organizations looking for guidance and support in developing this. The expanding human learning system (HLS) network of people and organizations is an example of the breath of interest and commitment to service reform that places human flourish at its heart. To effectively develop relational leadership the uncomfortable issue of power must be surfaced and explored if ethical relational leadership is to be truly established. To aid this, I have developed a framework that expands the Danish social pedagogy model of the 3 Ps to assist relational leaders to address and challenge issues of power within relational working. This chapter sets out to explain how to apply this to the organizational context and direct work of public services so that there is more transparency around the inherent power that we navigate within our human relationships that are at the heart of all public services.