Thought Leadership
17 Jun 2025
The storm is getting stronger. Here’s how to keep your people with you.
Coaching can be a critical force for resilience, connection and clarity across every level of local government. Through the lens of three fictional but familiar roles, this piece highlights the emotional impact of system pressure—and shows how coaching is helping people not just survive change, but lead through it with purpose, adaptability and support.
17 Jun 2025
Leading through change: why coaching, culture and leadership matter most in local government reorganisation
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) challenges councils to lead through complexity, not just restructure. It demands strong leadership, cultural clarity, and space for reflection. By investing in people, behaviours, and shared values from day one, councils can turn disruption into opportunity. With the right support, LGR becomes a catalyst for leadership growth, stronger teams, and a more resilient organisation ready to thrive beyond transition.
17 Jun 2025
Award-winning partnership: How collaboration is powering public sector recruitment transformation
West Midlands Employers and Tribepad have won Best Supplier Partnership at the Talent Labs Awards 2025. This recognition highlights the impact of true collaboration in modernising public sector recruitment. Through shared values, open communication, and a growing WMTribe network, 14 councils have already improved speed, inclusivity, and candidate experience—proving that trusted partnerships can transform how local authorities attract, engage, and retain top public sector talent.
15 May 2025
Leadership is no longer linear
The Tri-sector Challenge is a unique leadership simulation that pushes public sector professionals to collaborate under real-world pressures. Participants gain critical skills like rapid decision-making, political acuity, and resilience, working alongside leaders from local government, the NHS, and emergency services. With roles for both participants and volunteers, it’s an opportunity to develop systems thinking, build cross-sector relationships, and drive meaningful change. Join the challenge this September at Molineux Stadium.
15 May 2025
Job Evaluation: It's Not Rocket Science – So Why Is Equal Pay Still a Challenge in Local Government?
Equal pay in local government remains a challenge despite clear frameworks like the Single Status Agreement and job evaluation schemes. The issue often lies in inconsistent local implementation, grade drift, and reduced JE expertise. Councils must commit to transparency, regular audits, and staff training to address these gaps. Long-term fairness requires a strategic approach, not just reactive fixes, to prevent costly claims and rebuild trust in pay equity.
15 May 2025
Rethinking conflict resolution in Local Government: Why mediation is the strategic missing piece
Mediation is strategic, not just procedural. Integrating mediation helps councils resolve conflict effectively, enhance workplace wellbeing, and build stronger teams—driving smarter decisions, healthier relationships, and more resilient public services.
15 May 2025
Harnessing chaos: Coaching as your strategic anchor
Local government leadership faces relentless challenges, from reorganisation and budget cuts to escalating citizen expectations. Michelle O'Neill introduces the #BuildAWindmill philosophy—using coaching strategically to harness uncertainty, promote clarity, and build resilient teams. She outlines practical coaching strategies enabling leaders and staff to thrive despite constant change. With targeted coaching, organisations can navigate complexity, strengthen workforce planning, and transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable progress.
10 Apr 2025
Mind the Gap: Why equal pay audits are essential for Local Authority success
Tackling the gender pay gap is strategic, not just legal. Equal pay audits help councils modernise, plan better, and lead credibly—driving smarter decisions, stronger teams, and more resilient public services.
10 Apr 2025
Building windmills, not walls: Rule AI in or rule it out!
AI is already in the public sector. The question isn’t if we adopt it, but how. Siloed adoption creates uncertainty—so we must lead with intention. Like the wind, AI is powerful. Let’s build windmills, not walls. The future is about using AI to serve the public good, stay ethical, and lead with purpose.