New Water Policy and Practice Volume 1, Number 2 - Spring 2015 | Page 22

Understanding Six Water Leadership Roles

Table 7: Key leader competencies and leadership strategies typically associated with the
trusted advisor role
Leader Competencies
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Very strong science
communication skills, particularly
as a translator between experts
and non-experts, regardless of
whether they are an expert
themselves.
An ability to quickly and
effectively create ‘big picture’
narratives that clearly elucidate
outcomes and speak to political
imperatives whilst maintaining
technical credibility.
The capacity to ‘remain above the
fray’ and avoid championing or
becoming too closely aligned to
particular policies, politics or
outcomes.
Broad networks across various
sectors, particularly those who
have traditionally held different
views (e.g., farmers and
conservationists).

•

Strong networks in government
and a track-record of working
across different political parties to
deliver practical policy outcomes.

•

Ability to work effectively within
rapid time-frames and to a
government agenda

•

A mindset that values negotiation,
pragmatism and compromise.

•

Discretion, trustworthiness and
honesty in dealing with
government.

•

A broad knowledge-base,
including the ability to work
through concepts and ideas from
multiple perspectives.

Leadership Strategies
•

Demonstrating a sound understanding of the political and
institutional systems in which water policy decisions are made.

•

Building and maintaining credibility with all sides of politics and
being perceived as independent from political and/or social causes.

•

Providing well-timed and well-reasoned advice to government and
policy-makers in accord with emerging policy priorities, whilst
avoiding politically charged areas

•

Building a broad knowledge of different aspects of water
management rather than focusing too narrowly on specific areas.

•

Using networks to keep informed of developments in water policy
and exploiting windows of opportunity for influence and change.

•

Maintaining broad networks and coordinating interactions between
relevant stakeholders in the water community.

•

Communicating technical information and complex problems to
governments and policy-m Z