Leadership on the run: time management among deputy ministers in Canada

Abstract

Purpose

The authors examine the time allocation and management of deputy ministers (DMs) in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the results from a 2020 survey of DMs.

Findings

The authors observe that, like private sector leaders, DMs work very long hours and tend to allocate their time fairly consistently across functions. Nevertheless, important differences exist particularly depending on the size of their department.

Research limitations/implications

While a substantial percentage of answers were returned, these skew toward provincial rather than federal public servants and not all jurisdictions are equally represented.

Practical implications

The distribution of areas of focus for DMs and their time allocation differences speak to potentially important discussions to be had in time management practice.

Originality/value

This is the first and only analysis of time management for senior public service executives based on a survey instrument.

Citation

Dutil, P. and Migone, A.R. (2022), "Leadership on the run: time management among deputy ministers in Canada", International Journal of Public Leadership, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 57-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-02-2021-0005