In a world brimming with political shifts, from the bustling election booths of India to the intense political arenas of the US and UK, and even amidst France’s unexpected General Election, the global populace is witnessing a whirlwind of change. This year alone, billions are casting their votes, shaping the future at every level of governance. But what does this mean at the local tier, where councils and commissioners are also feeling the pulse of the electorate?

Introduction: Join us as we delve into the art of leadership amidst the ebb and flow of political landscapes with Matt Prosser, Chief Executive of Dorset Council and the esteemed President of SOLACE. With over three decades in Local Government, Matt brings a wealth of experience in steering organisations through the tumultuous seas of political transition, both locally and nationally.

Key Questions:

1. Navigating the Local Government Labyrinth: Matt shares insights from his tenure as CEX across various councils, revealing how overnight shifts from Conservative to Lib-Dem control have shaped his strategic approach.
2. Central Government Chronicles: From engaging anecdotes with David Cameron to cross-party interactions, Matt discusses the nuances of working alongside national figures and central government and the importance of proactive engagement with political manifestos.
3. Preparation is Key: Discover Matt’s strategies for preparing an organisation for political upheaval, emphasizing the significance of long-term relationships and a steadfast neutral stance.
4. The Challenge of Balance: How does a CEX juggle the demands of being a confidant to all sides while fostering positive outcomes? Matt explores the complexities of this balancing act.
5. SOLACE’s Support System: Learn about SOLACE’s initiatives in leadership development and mentorship, designed to bolster CEXs during times of political change.
6. Personal Resilience: On a personal note, Matt reflects on maintaining positivity and resilience amidst the constant flux of political dynamics.

Conclusion: As the political winds shift, the role of a Local Authority Chief Executive becomes ever more intricate. Tune in to uncover the secrets to effective leadership when the political ground is constantly moving beneath your feet.

In this episode, Jim Savege, Chief Executive in Aberdeenshire Council and I explore how communities can thrive by leveraging external events to build resilience, foster partnerships, and create lasting positive change. Tune in as we discuss inspiring stories, practical strategies, and the power of collective action.

I sat down with Mariana Pexton, Director of Strategy and Resources at Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos Foundation Director and Director of Leeds Rhino Netball. We discussed the three key methods of increasing leadership capacity and capability in local authority officers and members.

A very humble and talented local authority leader, who gave some really constructive points for the listeners at home. I however managed to pronounce Mariana's name wrong, at least three times!

Thank you to Local Partnership LLP for their continued support, allowing us to bring this free content to you at home.

Stuart Reid is an expert in leadership coaching. His mandate is simple, he helps public sector chief executives overcome the isolation and vulnerability of their job, so they can lead with greater confidence and ease.

In todays episode I asked Stuart:

• Do you think that in modern society, the role of Chief Executives in the public sector has got tougher?
• Why are leaders feeling isolated and vulnerable?
• Where did you idea originate from to start your coaching and leadership practise?
• What are your main tips to promote confidence and reduce vulnerability in leaders?
• Working for the audit committee did that give you a different perspective?
• When do you think of OFLOG – can they be impartial? OFLOG Interim Chair Lord Morse has said it won’t take the time in its findings, saying that councils are in distress due to central government’s action, but provide constructive advice and steps as to how to improve their situation. However, Committee Chair Clive Betts has said: “if you cannot lobby and express your own views in that way, how can you be truly independent?”

If you are looking for executive coaching / leadership support add Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartreid/

Thank you to Alliance Leisure for their continued support so that we can continue to bring value add content to our community.

Will Godfrey, Chief Executive of Bath and North East Somerset Council challenges leaders that opening up whilst you are a leader is incredibly powerful to you and your teams. We are all humans and it is an unhealthy perception that leaders don't experience difficulties in their careers. After Will's brother took his life in August of last year, Will has been on a journey to understand himself and to also bring to light this often undiscussed topic in leadership.

David Crowe - Project Director at Local Partnership LLP, has led on the creation of the CEO blueprint.

The CEO Blueprint is intended to take council CEOs in England through a need-to-know, structured, risk aware and financially sustainable approach to developing commercial initiatives. The Blueprint covers 12 key considerations, from definition and strategy through to preventing failures and developing exit strategies

Sean Harris has been the Chief Executive of One Source, Bolton Council, London Borough of Harrow, London Borough of Lambeth. He now provides strategic leadership support and training to councils across the UK. We explored:

• Leadership
• How to work effectively with the political sphere of local government to achieve positive outcomes for the community.
• Partnerships
• Challenges facing the sector.

In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Nicola Hallworth-Rudd, Head of Public Sector UK at Michael Page, to delve into the intricate challenges and innovative solutions in public sector recruitment. Nicola brings her extensive experience to the table, discussing the complexities of various organizational structures like CA, UA, and MBC, and how they can be perplexing for those outside the sector.

Challenges Explored:

• The daunting message of austerity and financial constraints that make the public sector less appealing.
• Councils’ struggle to effectively communicate their mission and community support.
• The difficulty in attracting suitable talent for roles that are complex, broad, and high-pressure.
• The challenge of competing in a recruitment market dominated by the private sector’s deeper pockets and superior digital technology.
• The perception of councils being predominantly run by the white middle class, with website imagery reinforcing this view.
• Recruitment processes often prioritizing cost over quality, potentially overlooking candidates who could offer long-term savings.
• The issue of retention, with professionals leaving for less stressful, more flexible, and better-supported roles elsewhere.

Solutions Discussed:

• Brand Amplification: Nicola emphasizes the importance of showcasing your brand as a window to potential applicants. She suggests creating a website with diverse imagery, using pen portraits and videos from various organization levels, ensuring inclusive language, and telling the positive stories of local community support and complex project delivery. Michael Page’s digital marketing team can craft a bespoke microsite to encapsulate all these elements.
• Accessing Talent: Leveraging a recruitment agency’s expertise in the public sector is crucial for spreading your message. Nicola advises utilizing digital marketing tools, LinkedIn data mining, experienced researchers to explore new markets, and recruitment consultants to tap into personal networks for referrals.
• Diverse Talent Acquisition: At Michael Page, the journey begins internally by fostering a diverse workforce. Collaborating with external agencies for up-to-date advice, providing mandatory inclusive recruitment training, and having an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consulting Team are key steps. This team, with lived experience of protected characteristics, works with partner organizations, runs diversity groups, reviews recruitment processes, and participates in recruitment panels to ensure inclusivity.
• Streamlined Recruitment Processes: Nicola outlines the need for expedited and sales-focused recruitment processes, including only critical actions, setting clear timelines, discussing council benefits, using efficient vetting suppliers, and ensuring quick offer processes. Continuous communication and a smooth onboarding experience are also highlighted.

Join us as we uncover the nuances of public sector recruitment with Nicola Hallworth-Rudd and learn how to navigate its challenges with strategic solutions.