In order to improve their accessibility and readability, the most popular parts of the Understanding the Civil Service and Understanding Regulation websites are being republished as PDFs, Kindle eBooks and slim paperbacks.
I strongly encourage you to join my free subscription service through which you will be notified whenever I publish new or substantially amended material. You will also receive free PDF versions of most publications. If you are comfortable reading eBooks then please try the Kindle versions of these publications. They are currently only £1.50 except for How to be a Civil Servant,
The slim 'Long Read' paperbacks are nicely designed and printed, and will in due course comprise an attractive set. Printing and distribution costs mean that I cannot price them below £4.50, but they provide a great way to have their information permanently and quickly available.
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, much of the practical advice and information elsewhere in this website and is therefore a must-read for newly appointed 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 on 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.
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 long read 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 nine techniques which will help you be heard, and 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.
Click here to print this document at home. Or you can get the Kindle eBook here and the paperback here.
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 long read 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.
Click here to print the document at home.. Or you can get the Kindle eBook here and the paperback here.
Notes
The above titles are published by Richborne Publishing:- the business name used by Martin Stanley. Its email address is martinstanleysw8@gmail.com and its postal address is 68 Richborne Terrace, London SW8 1AX.