Date: 07 Jul 2025
Eighteen senior officials from eight key government ministries in Tonga completed the final module of the Adaptive Leadership Training Program on 19th June 2025 in ‘Eua, marking a significant step in their leadership journey.
This module is the last in the three-part Adaptive Leadership program, part of a broader initiative to strengthen leadership within Tonga’s public service. Delivered through a partnership between the Tonga Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Balance of Power (BOP) program, funded by the Australian Government, the Adaptive Leadership Program supports senior government officials in developing the skills needed to drive effective governance, inclusive decision-making and improved service delivery.
Participants included senior officials from the Tonga Police, Ministry of Health, Public Service Commission, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice and Statistics Department. Among the 18 participants who completed the program, 12 were women, reflecting an ongoing effort to close gender gaps in public leadership.
Although women make up 62% of Tonga’s public service, they occupy only 30% of CEO-level positions. The adaptive leadership program is working to shift this imbalance by equipping both women and men with practical leadership tools to thrive in complex environments.
The program was delivered by respected adaptive leadership training facilitators from Tonga, ‘Ofakilevuka Guttenbeil Likiliki, Reverend Dr. ‘Ungatea Fonua Kata and ‘Emeline Siale Ilolahia. The facilitators brought deep cultural insight, regional experience and professional depth to the sessions.
Franz Koenig Tu’uhetoka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Public Service Commission and a 31-year veteran of the public service, emphasized the critical role of leadership in Tonga’s ongoing public sector reform.
“Leadership is a key driver in achieving quality service delivery. We are shifting from a mindset that leadership only resides at the top, to recognising it begins with every individual officer.”
He also noted the increasing demand for the program across ministries. Since its pilot in 2024, the Adaptive Leadership Program has grown in both reach and impact.
“There is growing interest from ministries in sending their staff to this training. My hope is that eventually 50 percent of the public service will have the opportunity to attend.”
Tu’uhetoka acknowledged the value of PSC’s partnership with Balance of Power.
“PSC and Balance of Power have built a strong relationship over the past few years, and we are pleased to have maintained a productive and collaborative working relationship.”
Fusi Nolini Vaka’uta, Principal Human Resource Officer at the PSC, reflected on the long journey that brought the program to life.
“As someone who was involved in drafting the proposal for this training back in 2019, I can confidently say the impact has been tangible. The skills, tools and knowledge gained are preparing us to lead Tonga forward.”
Kalolaine Mafi, Deputy CEO of Tonga Ministry of Education expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Adaptive Leadership Training, acknowledging its personal and professional impact.
“Thank you to Balance of Power for creating this opportunity for us to become the best versions of ourselves, stepping confidently into our current roles and embracing the future we are purposefully shaping”
She emphasized the value of the training in helping participants lead with intention.
“This training has helped us become more purposeful in what we do, not only in our personal lives but also in our professional responsibilities”
Sioeli Tausiga, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, described his experience in the Adaptive Leadership Training as both eye-opening and transformative.
“One of the key takeaways for me was learning practical tools to approach challenges in the workplace. Often, we apply technical solutions to recurring problems, only to find that the issues persist. Sometimes the problems feel too big to handle and I hesitate to ask for help.”
He said the training helped him rethink how he addresses complex challenges.
“Through this training, I’ve come to understand the value of adaptive solutions. Tools like the ‘balcony’ approach, stepping back to see the bigger picture, have changed the way I view and address problems. It has encouraged a lot of self-reflection. I found myself thinking back to past workplace issues and realising, ‘This is what I should have done.’”
Mr. Tausiga strongly encouraged colleagues in the Tonga public service to take part in the program.
“I would highly recommend this training to my colleagues. When the opportunity came up, many of them shied away from it. I was the only one who volunteered to attend because I was curious. Looking back, I’m glad I did. This training brings out the best in us, especially when we’re in positions where we’re expected to manage and solve workplace challenges.”
The Adaptive Leadership Program is proving to be a powerful investment in Tonga’s future, equipping public servants with the skills, confidence and mindset to lead with purpose and drive meaningful change.
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