These paperbacks, eBooks and free-to-print PDFs offer unique insights into the inner working of the UK civil service. Three shorter booklets also offer practical advice likely to be of real value to those working in head office and policy functions in local government, the private sector and NGOs.
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HOW TO BE A CIVIL SERVANT
The fourth edition of How to be a Civil Servant was published in 2021. It brings together, in an easily accessible form, a wide range of practical advice and information, and is therefore a must-read for newly appointed and newly promoted Whitehall civil servants and for those looking to enter the profession – not to mention students, academics, journalists, politicians and anyone with an interest in the inner workings of the British government. You can buy it from the Politicos online bookshop as well as from Amazon. You can also buy it as a Kindle eBook.
The book was the first guidebook to working in the higher levels of the civil service ever published, and it remains the only comprehensive guide to how Whitehall civil servants should effectively carry out their duties, hone their communication skills and respond to professional, ethical and technical issues relevant to the job. Its contents include working with Ministers, professional skills such as submitting advice and drafting speeches, the policy process and civil service ethics.
Reviewers have been very complimentary. You can read reviews here.
CIVIL SERVANTS, MINISTERS & PARLIAMENT
The Westminster Model
This is a comprehensive description and discussion of the Westminster Model which requires UK civil servants to be 'serial monogamists' - politically impartial whilst being devoted only to serving Ministers within the current government.
The first three chapters list all the main ethical and other constraints which which civil servants work and offer practical advice to currently serving officials.
The fourth chapter considers what civil servants should do (if anything) if Ministers do not take their advice, or if Ministers appear to be 'behaving badly'.
The fifth chapter discusses the many pressures on, and criticisms of, the Westminster Model. The sixth chapter describes how civil servants may, as a result, be becoming increasingly accountable to Parliament.
This book is not yet available on Kindle or as a paperback but you can follow this link to read or print individual chapters at home.
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER
How to have people listen to your advice and act on it
'Power' can be found in both private and public sectors, and at many levels – not just the top. Those with power do not always welcome advice from others. How do we best get through to such people?
Whitehall civil servants tell themselves that they are uniquely skilled at speaking truth to power. But no-one trains them to do so. This unique short paperback examines the incentives faced by decision makers, discusses why no-one likes to hear honest feedback, and describes how powerful people are not like the rest of us. It then lists nine techniques to help you be heard, and help you learn how to offer and receive challenge.
This is a must-read for everyone in a managerial or policy-making role in any organisation in the private and public sectors – not to mention students, academics, journalists, politicians and anyone with an interest in improving decision making in large organisations.
You can buy it from the Politicos online bookshop, or on Amazon or as an even less expensive Kindle eBook.
LEADING AND MANAGING POLICY TEAMS
Policy-making is a complex activity in today's fast-changing world. Managers need to develop strategies, aims and objectives which inspire those who work for them. This extract from How to be a Civil Servant brings together a wide range of practical leadership and management advice from experienced policy professionals.
Learn how the best leaders are honest, courageous, remorseless, and committed to their teams. Learn how the best managers organise and motivate their staff. Read and share the most effective interview questions, job plans and staff surveys.
This is another must-read for everyone in a managerial or policy-making role in any organisation in the private and public sectors - not to mention students, academics, politicians and anyone with an interest in improving decision making in large organisations.
You can buy the paperback and Kindle eBook here ... or ... click here to print a free PDF at home.
PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
This is another extract from How to be a Civil Servant. It contains some brief but well-targeted advice that might help when you are under pressure or in stressful jobs and situations. There are three sections:
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UNDERSTANDING THE EUROPEAN UNION
This further extract from How to be a Civil Servant is a short post-Brexit guide to EU institutions and EU law + advice on how to negotiate successfully with EU officials. It includes advice on lobbying and negotiating in Brussels, and 'all you need to know' about the EU's history, legislation, institutions and structure. You can get the Kindle eBook here ... or... Click here to print a free PDF at home. |
The UK's Constitution
Without any proper written rulebook as a constitution, the British system of government relies on those working within it to play by the rules - written or not - and to operate in good faith. As well as considering to what extent we can still rely on those in government to do that, this book also provides a thorough practitioner's guide to the UK's system of government including its constitution, the operation of the UK Parliament and government, and the governments of the devolved administrations. The author draws on his 25 years’ experience as a civil servant, most of it spent teaching fellow civil servants about how the British system of government works, followed by ten years as an outsider with a more detached view. The book includes many contemporary examples of dramatic events as well as perspectives from constitutional experts, politicians and others. Published by Paul Grant. |
Management Basics
Whether you are an experienced manager or about to take up your first management job, this will be of real help to you in any workplace. It is a lively, easy-to-read book, full of tips and simple, practical things that have been put into practice in the real world. Tony Rossiter's clear, humorous writing style and comprehensive content make this a compelling must-read for anyone with a management role - and an ideal companion for Martin Stanley's Leading and Managing Policy Teams - see above. Published by In Easy Steps Limited. |
Notes
Most of the above titles are published by Richborne Publishing, the business name used by Martin Stanley. Its email address is ukcs68@gmail.com and its postal address is 68 Richborne Terrace, London SW8 1AX.