How effective are senior managers in the Romanian public sector?

Increased managerial effectiveness has been a concern for academics, management trainers and developers. However, the topic has remained relatively unexplored, especially so far as the effectiveness of the senior managers and officials is concerned. Examines results of first‐time study which has been carried out in the Romanian public sector. Finds that senior managers are aware of the needs for their own and others’ effectiveness and desire for development, and that the presence of certain conditions, some specific to Eastern European countries, tend to act as inhibiting factors insofar as the development of the senior managers is concerned. Concludes that effectiveness should be defined as functions of awareness of self and other organizationally shared and unshared values, constraints, demands and choices available to senior managers and their abilities and skills to get the job done. Thus, further understanding of the topic requires attention being paid to managers, their work, organization and social realities as they are and not as one expects them to be.