Entries with tag local government .

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Blair McPherson
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22 Sep 2016 - 14:43

null It's Criminal

  I am a big fan of crime fiction and one of my favourite authors is Peter Robinson and his detective DCI Banks. Many of the books have been successfully televised and no doubt his latest "When the music is over " will also be turned into a two part thriller, if so I hope the tv producers rewrite the social workers cameo role from the inaccurate, poorly researched, stereotype, into... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
21 Sep 2016 - 12:49

null The tail of a lion or the head of a mouse

  Do you want to be the tail of a lion or the head of a mouse? Strange question and the answer is probably neither. This may be an unusual way of phrasing a very real dilemma for staff and managers. In the context that this expression was used the question is, would you rather be part of a struggling organisation in the top division or a leading organisation in a lower division. If... See more
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Blair McPherson
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12 Sep 2016 - 09:17

null Earth Quakes and Hurricanes

  Earth quakes and hurricanes. Well tremors and storms. High winds, lashing rain and rough sea smashing loudly on the rocks all day and all night. Thunder and lightening very very frightening. I understand why the ancient Greeks believed in vengeful gods. It certainly sounds, looks and feels like a violent temper tantrum from a very powerful being as they stamp their foot, smash their... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
04 Sep 2016 - 06:22

null Disrespecting the Professionals

  If the world was to explode the last thing to be heard would be an expert explaining why it wouldn't happen. The type of thing Michael Grove might say although it was in fact said by the late Peter Ustinov.   When did we become so anti professionals? This government doesn't listen to teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. The last government didn't listen to professionals... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
30 Aug 2016 - 09:54

null Bridge on the River Kwai

  The role of the senior manager in local government involves leadership in a political environment. You don't decide policy you don't so much shape strategy as influence and advise. You must convince staff you own the policy and strategy. You don't say the cabinet have decided  because that may give the impression you are not totally behind the policy and strategy which could... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
23 Aug 2016 - 16:32

null When should a leader go?

  Should I stay or should I go? It's the leadership question of the moment. The leader of the opposition is for staying despite an over whelming vote of no confidence, the Prime Minister was for going," let those who got us into this mess get us out of it”,  the England football manager resigns on the spot after a humiliating defeat.  When faced with a damming inspection report... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
07 Aug 2016 - 15:40

null Follow the leader

  A leader is some one who tells you what to do. I had a boss who was fond of saying,  "this is not a democracy" , in other words I am not asking you what you think we should do I'm telling you. This is the difference between the elected political leader of the council and the appointed leader of staff the chief executive. The relationship between the leader of the council and the... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
25 Jul 2016 - 18:45

null Business like pisses people off

Being business like  has come to mean winning contracts. Hence the chief executive of a small voluntary organisation that has grown into a dominant player in the market claims " rivals" don't like the fact that we are more business like. (Or maybe they don 't like the way you win contracts!) Just as Local Authorities in outsourcing services, ruthlessly pursuing value for money and... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Jul 2016 - 15:21

null Wouldn't it be nice

  Leaders have vision. Leaders can describe what the future will look like if we only have faith in them. So what, we can all say "wouldn't it be nice if.....?" The difference is they have the power to make it happen or rather, "together we can make it happen". Can we ? "Yes we can" President Obama said repeatedly in one of the most inspiring taking up office speeches. Nice sentiment... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
12 Jul 2016 - 21:39

null Wheel chair rage

  Narrow medieval streets packed tight with meandering tourist are not the easiest place to navigate a wheel chair, add hot sun and a deceptive incline and the result is wheel chair rage. The oncoming people traffic can get out of your way but the people in front can't see you coming, abrupt stops to examine brightly coloured objects on a market stall or the sudden desire  to... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
08 Jul 2016 - 10:26

null Local Authorites in denial about racism

  Too many public sector organisations including Local Authorities are still in denial about racism due to their management culture.     The Macpherson enquiry emphatically made the point that racism was not just about the extreme behaviour of a few wicked people nor was it limited to unprovoked assaults, abuse shouted in the streets or outright... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
26 Jun 2016 - 16:41

null Appointing a winner is no guarantee of success.

  It's generally assumed that if you appoint the right person success will follow. This assumption arises out of the tendency to look at successful organisations and attribute success to leadership. It is true that successful organisations are all well led but it doesn't follow that the right leader will guaranty success.  Why does a managers enjoy considerable success in one... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
12 Jun 2016 - 18:56

null Evolution of intelligent machines

  Machines, intelligent machines are ideal for space exploration, they don't need oxygen, water or food and they don't age. The last is important as the distances in space travel are unimaginably long and will take what would be many life spans of humans. In view of the time scales perhaps the most important difference is machines don't get board or drunk!  Once a machine learns to... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
26 May 2016 - 17:20

null Most organisations are not safe places to say what you are really thinking

  If you want to get on don't rock the boat. Don't contradict your manager. Best avoid topics of race , faith and sexuality so as not to risk saying the wrong thing. Don't go out of your way to upset your workmates by telling tales to management. This is the unofficial culture of every organisation I have ever worked in.    This unofficial culture explains why whistleblowers... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
21 May 2016 - 14:20

null The science of marginal gains

  A wide range of small minor improvements together make a significant difference to performance. This is particularly significant when the difference between success and failure is so small. The recent international and Olympic successes of the British cycling team has given a massive boost to the science of marginal gains. Marginal improvements in 1001 areas, technical, training and... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 May 2016 - 18:12

null Rescue me

In the office we referred sarcastically to a colleague who seemed to want to rescue those they worked with. Every office had one. They invariably came from a 'good ' background and were perhaps over compensating for the benefits they had enjoyed, they tried too hard and were always prepared to  give their client the benefit of doubt and another chance despite the evidence of experience.... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
03 May 2016 - 13:23

null Champions

League tables are not everything they don't tell the whole story but successive governments have put their faith in this easy to understand way of judging performance. If you are in the top half of the table you are performing well. If you are habitually mid table you are coasting and need to try harder. If you are in the lower reaches of the table you are failing and urgent improvement is... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
29 Apr 2016 - 08:50

null How to behave like a leader ( number 27)

  Leaders give permission to say the wrong thing, open out as opposed to close down discussion and are prepared to manage the emotions stirred up. Leaders put the same emphasise on values as budgets and performance (and are prepared to be challenged where these appear to be in conflict for example staffing levels and budget cuts). Leaders creat opportunities for direct face to face... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
22 Apr 2016 - 14:24

null All Managers to be Leaders

  Under the banner of " all managers to be leaders" a management development programme was commissioned around executive coaching, mentoring and management learning sets. What was unique about this was that it was systematic, it was to involve all managers ( and latterly people who aspired to be managers) it was deliver throughout  in partnership with two management consultants over... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Apr 2016 - 15:56

null Belt required Braces optional

  Coaching, Mentoring and management learning sets are the belt and braces of leadership development, which a manager uses is a matter of personal preference, opportunity and local circumstances. In this case the organisation decided coaching was required and mentoring was optional.   As director of Community Services I took the lead for management development within a Directorate... See more
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