Thought Leadership
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.
10 Apr 2025
Future-Proofing Your Workforce: The Power of Talent Communities
Building talent communities creates a ready pool of engaged candidates, reducing recruitment time and cost. By nurturing interest and re-engaging strong applicants, organisations can future-proof hiring. WME supports this through WMJobs and Tribepad tools.
10 Apr 2025
Looking ahead together: A reflective round-up of the 2025 Workforce Summit
The 2025 Public Sector Workforce Summit united 100+ professionals to share insights and lead through change. With purpose-led leadership and personal stories, the event marked a key milestone as West Midlands Employers launched its Strategic Plan and new website.
14 Mar 2025
Connecting Today’s Students with Tomorrow’s Careers in Local Government
In a rapidly evolving job market, connecting young people with career opportunities isn’t just good for students – it’s essential for organisations looking to build their talent pipeline. The problem isn’t a lack of roles; it’s a lack of awareness.