EUROPEAN PRACTICES OF DEVELOPING THE LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MANAGERS IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOCIAL CHANGES

Abstract

Introduction. In the current conditions of transformation of public administration in European countries, the issue of forming effective leadership in the public sector is of particular importance. The intensification of social, economic and technological challenges, in particular digitalization, globalization, demographic changes and growing public expectations regarding the quality of public services, necessitates a deep rethinking of traditional approaches to the development of managerial personnel. In these conditions, not only the professional training of civil servants is of particular importance, but also the targeted development of their leadership potential, the ability to strategic thinking, innovation and effective change management. European countries are increasingly actively moving to public administration models based on a competency-based approach, continuous professional development and integration of modern educational and management practices. Accordingly, the formation of effective leadership in the public sector is considered a key factor in increasing the effectiveness of public administration, strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring sustainable development of society in conditions of constant change.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to generalize and analyze European practices for developing the leadership potential of public administration managers in the context of social transformations, as well as to determine the possibilities of their adaptation and implementation in the national public administration system.

Materials and methods. The materials of the study are: 1) regulatory legal acts of the European Union and Ukraine in the field of public service, professional development of civil servants and reform of the public administration system; 2) scientific works of domestic and foreign authors devoted to the issues of leadership in public administration, development of managerial competencies, digital transformation of the public sector and implementation of European practices of professional development of managers.

In the process of conducting the study, the following scientific methods were used: theoretical generalization and systematization (to determine the essence of the leadership potential of public administration managers and generalize European approaches to its development); comparative analysis (to compare the practices of Great Britain, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands in the field of development of managerial leadership); structural-logical analysis (to identify key models of leadership development, including a competency-based approach, continuous professional learning, coaching, and mentoring); a systemic approach (to explore the relationship between formal education, practical experience, and institutional support for the development of leaders); and a logical generalization of results (to formulate conclusions and determine the prospects for implementing European practices in the public administration system of Ukraine).

Results. The article analyzes the key leadership development models used in the countries of the European Union, including the competency-based approach, continuous professional learning systems, coaching and mentoring programs, as well as institutional mechanisms for supporting leadership in the public sector. The role of specialized educational and training institutions that ensure the systematic nature of the training of public administration managers is separately considered. Particular attention is paid to the practices of the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands as demonstrating an effective combination of strategic human resource management, innovative educational technologies and a culture of continuous development of leadership competencies. It is determined that the leading factors in the development of leadership potential are an orientation to the effectiveness of public service, digital competence, the ability to inter-sectoral interaction, strategic thinking and adaptability to change. It is proven that European leadership development models are based on the integration of formal education, practical experience and institutional support for professional growth. The generalization of European experience allowed us to identify promising areas for implementing relevant practices in the public administration system of Ukraine, in particular, strengthening the role of continuous learning, developing new types of leadership competencies, and introducing modern tools for assessing managerial potential.

Discussion. In further scientific research, it is advisable to focus on an in-depth study of the mechanisms for implementing European practices for developing the leadership potential of managers in the public administration system of Ukraine, in particular, on improving the system of continuous professional training of civil servants, developing modern leadership competencies and implementing innovative approaches to assessing managerial potential. Separate research is required on the issues of adapting digital learning tools, coaching and mentoring models for the development of managers, as well as institutional support for their professional growth, as a result of which it will allow improving scientific and methodological approaches to the formation of effective managerial leadership and increasing the effectiveness of the functioning of the public administration system in the conditions of modern social transformations.