New Public Management (NPM)

· NPM involves the public choice theory, which is primarily predicated on the idea that citizens and public agencies have a relationship like to that of a market and customers, with the former being self-interested persons engaged in transactions characteristic of the market.

· Democratic principles like fairness, representation, involvement, and justice are all weakened by NPM. Some academics have even gone so far as to claim that NPM is extinct since some of its models and ideologies resulted in disastrous policy decisions and that a new public service-oriented philosophy is required.

· Government openness and accountability are in crisis as a result of NPM reforms.

· The public sector has faced harsh criticism for its underwhelming performance through NPM paradigm. Losing the fundamental idea that the purpose of government is to serve the people also poses a risk. Significant changes have emerged in the way governments should operate in the modern era to address the technological, social, and economic environmental concerns that are arising in the geopolitical environment.

· etc.

New Public Service (NPS)

· NPS is all about placing the needs and interests of the public at the center of public administration.

· The three core public service traditions—discourse theory, organizational humanism, and community and civil society models—form the basis of NPS. Though there is a wider role for individuals in the public service process, the notion of democratic citizenship considers people as self-interested consumers. Being a good citizen entails playing a part in the community and fostering a spirit of inclusion and service to the public interest.

· The principles of the New Public Service (NPS) paradigm are ingrained in servant leadership. By promoting the public service values of equity, democracy, accountability, and citizen participation, NPS places a strong emphasis on empowering and serving citizens. Similarly, the government’s emphasis on “Honourable Bureaucrat” and “Responsible Administrator” shares traits with servant leadership, including exhibiting ethical behaviour, showing compassion, empathy, and fostering community trust.

· Government officials in NPS must be impartial, responsive, fair, wise, and free from corruption.

· The development and empowerment of their staff members to reach their full potential is the primary goal of servant leaders. Servant leaders focus on four key areas that are applicable to government organizations: serving multiple stakeholders outside the organization, such as the community and society, focusing on service orientation in all actions, and consistently exhibiting ethical behaviour. They also rely on one-on-one communication strategies to build strong, long-lasting relationships with employees and the community.

· With the complicated world of unforeseen administrative and operational issues, as well as the ongoing and growing demand for resources, government leaders require new ethical leadership. Additionally, the introduction of IT-enabled services is raising the need for an accountable and transparent government. Workers/people under the direction of servant leaders are involved as complete persons—heart, mind, and soul—rather than just as performance instruments to achieve organisational objectives.

· The necessity for servant leadership in government organizations is apparent since it is a critical leadership strategy. Community-focused leadership styles are necessary for government entities. Serving as a servant leader offers a solid basis for meeting community needs. Leaders in government are guardians of the principles of accountability and governance. They must defend people’s (workers’) rights and serve as role models for the department heads. As a result, they must comprehend the regional arrangements of administrative thought, community dynamics, and political reasoning. Government administrators may find that servant leaders provide a compelling example since they treat their staff members with a nurturing style that is awakening, engaging, and developing.

· Servant leaders support the democratic narrative of the common good while also exhibiting moral character and bravery. Therefore, we contend that the following seven aspects of servant leadership are essential in this regard: prioritizing subordinates, assisting them in developing and succeeding, empowering, mending hurt feelings, adding value to the community, acting morally, and possessing conceptual talents.

· Beyond just being a voter or a customer, people must play a more active part in their communities according to the new public service delivery models. Since they are the closest stewards of their communities, governments must establish greater lines of contact and maintain a laser-like focus on promoting assertive citizenry. By elevating citizens’ engagement in service delivery, the role of servant leaders in doing good for society and the larger community highlights the pluralistic model of public service. In that regard, as citizens have grown to be collaborators and creators of public services, leadership positions in government must quickly change.