It often requires several pre-conditions to be in place, it requires having the enabling environment and the different parts of the public sector to come together to act cumulatively to deliver the results. Frequently, this synchronisation does not happen. Strong convictions on the cause, reinforced by the capabilities and supported by the perseverance increases the potential to produce results that makes the difference. Finally, and most importantly is the ability for continuous reinvention. The changing environment is more globalised, more competitive, more uncertain and ambiguous, more technologically driven, more prone to crisis, and is subject to greater scrutiny and demands for greater transparency. This more difficult operating environment demands new skills and abilities to manage these new challenges. Indeed, the role of leadership is dynamic and has changed considerably. Reinvention is to support the ability to creatively respond to change. Building effective organisations To strengthen our ability to manage the new challenges arising from the changed environment, equally important is building effective organisations with the capabilities that will deliver results. This will involve organisational reviews and the continuously modernising of the organisation so that it can continue to best serve the nation. Such endeavour will require periodic environmental scans and envisioning to revalidate the strategic thrust of the organisation. Modernisation efforts then need to be supported by a blueprint of the strategic steps and initiatives that need to be taken. Women that have the capability must be brought in at the leadership levels to participate in this process.

To increase opportunities for women would require opportunities for education and for the acquisition of experience and exposure. After formal education, it is experience and expertise gained from coaching and mentoring that will further enhance an individual’s contribution to organisational effectiveness. In a modernised organisation, the performance management process demands the highest level of excellence and the ability to produce the desired results within the specified time frame. Transformed organisations involve a shift from task based activities to becoming result oriented with clear focus on the mandate and the key performance indicators. To incentivise such a performance driven organisation, recognition of performance and the reward system in place needs to be highly differentiated. For many countries this is yet to be put in place. The organisational transformation also needs to place value on life-long learning, knowledge management and opportunities for greater work life balance. Opportunities for learning are vital for capability development. Finally, new governance structures also are keys to ensure the rigour of how decisions are made in the organisation and that there are sufficient checks  BIS central bankers’ speeches  3  and balances to ensure the best decisions are made and the highest level of credibility and integrity are achieved. Challenges While the opportunities are immense for women in the public sector, yet few rise to leadership positions. While there is still a glass ceiling, as we advance forward into the future, the foundations are already in place for women to advance forward into leadership positions.