What keeps you going? A Masterclass with Dr Simon Case CVO
Patrycja Matusiak is a final-year master’s student in Public Policy at Nottingham Trent University, where she researches homelessness among ethnic minority communities in the UK. A recent graduate in International Relations and Organisations from Leiden University and a former national leader of the Polish left-wing youth organisation Młodzi Razem, Patrycja draws on her international experience to address health, transport, and welfare policies in her activism and research.
Meeting Dr Simon Case CVO left a lasting impression on me and my cohort, providing us with valuable insights into leadership, the evolving role of the Civil Service, and the challenges that await us as future generations of leaders.
Dr Simon Case CVO reflected on his personal story multiple times throughout the meeting, building trust and rapport with the Patchworkers and dispelling the stereotypes of the Civil Service and grand politics that we might have held. We came to understand how important it is to be approachable and deeply passionate about serving communities, prompting us to stay connected to the people affected by the issues we seek to address.
In a world of rising populism, Dr Case emphasised the importance of having the courage to discuss complex issues as they truly are, without resorting to clichés or allowing bias to cloud our judgement. It is the ability to form nuanced views and make difficult yet essential decisions that distinguishes excellent leaders from those still learning, a reflection shaped by his experience serving three Prime Ministers.
Another topic that emerged during the meeting was the development of technology, particularly AI. This sparked a deeper discussion among us Patchworkers about its role in the Civil Service and how it may influence decision-making. The question of complexity echoed throughout the conversation: in an era where everything can be summarised or generated by AI, how do we probe for the truth beyond the summaries and prompts?
The insights on career shared by the former Cabinet Secretary are especially meaningful in today’s rapidly changing world. His message to future politicians, public servants, and anyone pursuing a meaningful, purposeful career was clear: remember what motivates you on a rainy morning and remain committed to your long-term vision without losing sight of what truly matters amid the urgency of the present.
This meeting left a lasting impression on our cohort and gave us the courage to pursue our goals, keeping our key priorities in mind and embracing the path less travelled
