Objectives:
The aims of the article focus on an evolutionary and retrospective look at the reality of contemporary public management in Poland in the second decade of the 21st century and considering the reality of public management in the convention of paradoxes and dilemmas.

Material and methods:
We base our narrative on the method of direct observation and discussion of experts who have been dealing with the efficiency of functioning of public administration for many years, including local and state administration.

Results:
As a result of the analysis, recommendations were formulated to increase the efficiency of modern public management in Poland.

Conclusions:
As the research and observations conducted by the authors of the study show, management in the public sector is often determined by the struggle for domination between particular parties, politicians or persons performing public functions. If a few years ago you could meet representatives of public sector organizations at various levels at scientific conferences, now this phenomenon is an exception and the conducted research, results of these studies and recommendations that critically describe the surrounding reality are rejected. Therefore, showing the surrounding reality during classes in schools and universities, as well as relating it to history and emphasizing the resulting paradigms seems most appropriate.