HOW WE CAN MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BETTER
Are you one of the optimistic ones who believes local government can be made better? That despite budget constraints, fractured community dynamics and challenges with recruiting and retaining staff that local government has so much more to offer and so much positive impact to make?
With local elections fast approaching, now is the perfect moment to connect with likeminded leaders with the goal of steering the way local government operates in a more positive and progressive direction.
From my experience most public servants enter local government with a strong sense of purpose and a belief their work can make a meaningful difference in their own communities. This is a sentiment I share and one of the reasons I spend so much time working with local government leaders.
And, like you, I also feel frustrated with the gap between the potential for local government and the day to day reality. I see the challenges of coordinating work across departments, of strained team dynamics, of immense public and media scrutiny and often unrealistic expectations to deliver bigger results with less resources.
Sometimes it feels like there is an inevitability to this. That we are the victims and have no control. But what if change wasn’t just possible. What if we are the ones who are meant to make it?
I’m hosting a series of intimate, small-group conversations exclusively for local and state government leaders who are wanting to see change and recognise their role in shaping it. These sessions are designed for leaders who:
- Seek Clarity: Navigate decision-making ambiguities with clarity and confidence. Make better informed, impactful decisions for your community.
- Want to Connect: Join a gathering of like-minded leaders who share your dedication to making a difference. This is your opportunity to connect with peers who understand your unique challenges and aspirations.
- Make a Contribution: Participate in open, collaborative discussions with fellow leaders about the real issues and opportunities in local government. By sharing experiences and insights, we can achieve far greater impact collectively.
This is a conversation not to be missed – sign up here.
Importantly, these will be conversations, not presentations. There is no slide deck, there won’t be a “five top tips of [insert your buzzword here],” and there isn’t a sales pitch at the end. Instead, these conversations will use a list of topics and lightly held opinions to shape the direction (but not the destination) of each session.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to “reset” the traditional systems of local government. Join like-minded leaders in steering local government and your community towards a positive and progressive future.
Important Information
- Each session will last approximately 45 minutes
- These conversations will not be recorded to ensure a free and open exchange of ideas. For more information on this, please read the FAQs here [insert link].
- No preparation is required, but we encourage you to come with an open mind and a willingness to engage with your peers.
Cant find a suitable date?
Provide your details and preferred days and times and you will be the first to know about future conversations.
FAQ
A fundamental principle of any effective group is ‘mutuality’. Members need to both give to the group and get benefit from the group for the group to function well. In this case, being unable or unwilling to make time to participate to these conversation but expecting to gain access to everyone else’s shared wisdom lacks mutuality.
And while I’m on my soapbox I might also add that we generally fail to apportion fair value to things that are free. In this case you might not have to pay with money but you are expected to pay with your attention. Because it’s only by giving your attention that you will truely value the information that everyone shares.
Please fill out the above form.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what is the ‘right size’ for these sessions, so I thought I’d test it. What I do know is that unlike most tech start ups (and lots of conferences), the right size is not ‘as big as it can be’. The right size is likely to be five to 15 active participants but given I don’t expect everyone who signs up to turn up I’ve made the groups a little bigger.
Again, I’m not entirely sure and it mostly depends on the response from the local government community. I also don’t know if this series of small group conversations will be a one off or run on an annual basis.
The most important criteria for attendees is those who want to make a difference in local government. This could be councillors, members of the executive team or other leaders looking to make a difference. The second criteria would be a willingness to contribute openly in a conversation with your peers (this doesn’t require you to have a strong opinion or ‘the answer’, it’s just as likely that meaningful contribution will be in the form of ‘great questions’)
Quite possibly. Initially the preference will be to maximise the diversity of attendees but each session will also have a waitlist who we will contact in the event that participants can’t attend. If you’re wanting to sign up for a second or third session we encourage you to join the waitlist for subsequent sessions.
clients
some of the brands simon has inspired
