Sustainability and Public Management: Focusing on Leadership and on the Development of Competences

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the competences associated to the practice of Sustainable Leadership in the city management, having the purpose of identifying pitfalls and proposing strategies for the development of competences that are aligned with the pillars of sustainability. Theoretical Framework: The current research is grounded on Sachs’s (1993) pillars of sustainability, which integrate economic, social and environmental aspects, as well as on competence-based management and sustainable leadership. These theoretical bases guide the analysis and the development of competences associated to the exercise of sustainable leadership by city managers. Method: This is an exploratory and qualitative study, containing semi-structured interviews that have been conducted with eleven city managers, as well as an analysis of institutional norms. The goal was to identify the current situation regarding competences, in order to assess how they are related to sustainability practices and to propose a strategy for the development of such competences. Results and Discussion: The reports demonstrated a lack of competences associated to the practice of sustainable leadership in public city management, and the official documents confirm that there is a need for training that is focused on the development of these strategies, which are essential to promote collective well-being and sustainable practices at the local level. Implications of the study: The study adds to the field when it proposes a practical strategy for training public leaders, influencing in the adoption of sustainable policies and practices. Academically, the study adds to the debate on public city management and sustainability. Originality/Value: This study relates management competences to sustainability in the public sector, providing resources for the development of competences related to sustainable leadership as a key point for the improvement of administrative practices and for guidance on sustainable public policies.