CIG and Bhutan’s RCSC Conclude Leadership Programme for Division Chiefs

November 28, 2025

The inaugural cohort of the Leaders in Civil Service Programme (LCSP) with representatives from the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG).

THIMPHU (Bhutan), 28 November 2025  — The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) has successfully concluded the inaugural Leaders in Civil Service Programme (LCSP) delivered in partnership with Bhutan’s Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) and with support from the Royal Institute of Management (RIM).

Designed for Division Chiefs across the Bhutanese public service, the six-week programme aimed to strengthen leadership capability across the dimensions of Direction, Drive, and Delivery, in line with RCSC’s Leadership Capability Framework.

Shaping Strategic Direction through Vision and Foresight

Building on the strong foundations established in the first segment where participants deepened their understanding of self-leadership and team leadership, the cohort reconvened for the second segment focused on strategic direction-setting through visioning and foresight.

CIG Senior Consultant Mr Kenneth Sim guided the cohort through the core principles of visioning and its role in enabling leaders to set clear direction amid complexity and change.

A highlight of this segment was the “Human Library” activity, where the Secretaries of Finance, GovTech, and Energy and Natural Resources shared their leadership journeys, experiences of navigating change, and perspectives on sectoral challenges and opportunities. These candid exchanges offered participants valuable insights into the realities of senior leadership and reinforced the importance of servant leadership within the public service.

Human Library session in progress with the Secretaries of Finance, GovTech, and Energy & Natural Resources.


Participants also explored foresight methodologies and practical tools for anticipating future challenges. Drawing on these approaches, they developed departmental vision statements, which were further refined and presented in the final segment of the programme.

CIG Senior Consultant Mr Kenneth Sim engaging with participants during his sessions on foresight.


From Strategy to Execution

Following a three-week inter-segment period, participants reconvened for the final segment, which focused on translating Direction and Drive into Delivery through practical strategies and actionable plans.

During the inter-segment period, participants worked closely with their sponsoring agencies on capstone projects and completed key programme requirements, including departmental vision statements, reflective assignments, and a leadership essay.

Led by Chief Facilitator Mr Lam Yi Young, the final segment brought together the programme’s core themes with a strong emphasis on implementation. Sessions focused on strategic planning and the organisational capabilities and systems required to support sustained delivery and innovation, alongside a negotiation skills session led by Professor Rodney Scott.

Chief Facilitator Mr Lam Yi Young presenting CIG’s High Performance Government framework which highlights the key dimensions required to build and sustain a high performance government.

The programme culminated in the Capstone Project Presentations, where participant groups presented their analyses and proposals to the Secretaries of the sponsoring agencies. These presentations provided a compelling demonstration of RCSC’s Leadership Capability Framework (LCF) of Direction, Drive and Delivery in action.

Participant groups presenting their capstone projects to the Secretaries of the sponsoring agencies.

Mentorship and Whole-of-Government Collaboration

Beyond the classroom, the LCSP fostered strong professional relationships through mentorship and promoted whole-of-government collaboration in support of national priorities. Participants engaged in dialogue sessions with senior leaders across government, including fireside chats with RCSC Commissioners on performance management and with Cabinet Secretary Dasho Kesang Deki, who shared candid reflections on her leadership journey and the responsibilities of public service leadership.

These engagements reinforced the importance of collaboration across agencies and levels of government, as well as the role of collective leadership in addressing complex, cross-cutting challenges.

Participants engaging in dialogue with RCSC and Cabinet Secretary Dasho Kesang Deki.

Looking Ahead

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Ms Sin Xin Ping, Deputy Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance, emphasised that graduation from the LCSP marks the beginning – not the culmination – of the participants’ leadership responsibilities. She encouraged the cohort to work across organisational boundaries and contribute actively to Bhutan’s aspiration of One Government, One Country:

“Your leadership extends far beyond your individual roles; it shapes the culture, coherence, and capability of the public service as a whole."

Ms Sin Xin Ping, Deputy Dean of the Chandler Academy of Governance, delivers the closing remarks at the conclusion of the LCSP.

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About the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC)

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) is a constitutional body dedicated to fostering a high-performing, merit-based, and a political civil service in Bhutan. Established in 1982 and enshrined in the Constitution in 2008, the RCSC aims to promote good governance through effective human resource management. Its mission focuses on embedding intelligence, innovation, and integrity within the civil service, developing high-impact leadership, and cultivating entrepreneurial professionals to deliver transformative policies and sustainable solutions.

For more news and information, visit https://www.rcsc.gov.bt.

About the Royal Institute of Management (RIM)

The Royal Institute of Management (RIM), established as Bhutan’s apex management training institute, is mandated to “impart, promote and improve professional knowledge and skills in management and public administration in both the public and private sectors of the nation.” Established in 1986, RIM was incorporated as an autonomous institute in 1990 under the Royal Charter. Its mission centres on providing relevant courses of study for executives and professionals, conducting research in management, public administration, and training, as well as offering consultancy and training advisory services to organisations across both public and private sectors.

For more news and information, visit https://www.rim.edu.bt/.

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG)

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests. 

For more news and information, visit https://www.chandlerinstitute.org/ or follow CIG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @ChandlerINST
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Chandler Institute of Governance