WHAT ARE THE KEY ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD POLICY OFFICER?

Yesterday, a senior Queensland Treasury officer was discussing with me the qualities he believes characterise a good policy officer.  I thought it may be useful to share them here.  They are:

1. writes well

2. is pragmatic

3. relates well to others

4. has good judgement.

Peter Bridgman, co-author of The Australian Policy Handbook, advises policy officers that it is essential to have the 4 Rs:

• Reasoning
• Writing
• Relating
• Resilience.

I would be interested to hear others' views.