Leadership in Turbulent Times – Surfing the

waves of change

Kersten EnglandChief Executive, City of York

Council

A bit about me

• Chief Executive of City of York Council• Background in • equalities, organisational development• communities• central/ local Government

•Belief in agency of individuals and communities•Necessity of respect and collaboration

Our Context – Paradigm Shift

From paternalistic

and ‘benevolent’ To catalyst

and facilitator

Two Overriding Priorities

….And for the Organisation

•City of Enterprise•Resilient, capable communities

•Innovative•Entrepreneurial•Resident focussed

Organisational Development Agenda

•Structural change

•Investment in leadership

•Mature, professional relationships

Organisational Development Agenda

•Investment in communication

•Recognising and celebrating contributions and excellence

•Crowd-sourcing ideas

Utilising talent

•Talented individuals in non-work life

•Hierarchy and schemes of delegation unhelpful

•Proceed until apprehended

First Fruits•Co-producing the future – developing a co-operative library service

•Each one teach one on the service to city programme

•Utilising untapped skills

First Fruits•GeniUS ideas

•Closing the digital divide

•Corporate Social Responsibility

•# TeamYork

Offer to public sector workers•No longer a job for life•Can’t keep head down and get on

SO•Will offer decent employment•Support to help shape the organisation and wider community•Support informed choices about how services are delivered

Alternative models of employment

•Transfers to other employers

•Employee mutual

•Self-employment

Things I have learnt / am learning

•Find ‘True North’

•Develop strong narrative

•Conscious constant articulation

•Unlock potential

•Co-create / produce

Things I have learnt / am learning

•Honour the past•Dissent•Hurt•Create safe uncertainty•Work in the circle of influence•Rest, recuperate•Celebrate

Conclusion

•Empower everyone to shape the vision for the community•Make engaging and involving staff the priority•The future is more in our control than ever before