We have seen too many headlines about failures of leadership recently, so it is a great pleasure to focus on some of the talented and dedicated people currently coming up through the sector.
I hear repeatedly from senior leaders how hard it is for them to recruit and retain their very best people, especially in this economic climate. There is also a real thirst for connection in this generation which has been denied so many opportunities through the pandemic. The Next Generation Academy was conceived as a way to try and meet some of these needs.
Almost 250 future leaders from across the country were nominated by their chief executives to take part. With support from experienced mentors from across our network, they have focused on developing skills in leadership and strategic thinking, creating change and fresh purpose and growing external relationships, particularly with local communities.
The programme is rooted in peer learning, with participants working together to explore the live issues they are facing. They have discussed meaty challenges such as how to manage relationships with communities without over-promising or underselling, or the difficulties in creating a strong common purpose in a large, complex council environment.
What we have found is that when brought together with their peers and some expert facilitation, they have been able to identify fresh solutions.
Of course this is about career progression, but just as importantly, it is a way to bring in new ideas to councils at a time when they are facing unprecedented challenges.
With national Government in disarray and ever dwindling resources for public services, there has never been a clearer need for effective and courageous local leadership.
Happily, through this programme we have found great cause for optimism. I have been struck by the energy and commitment of our Academy group this year, the passion for public service and the genuine interest in people at the heart of all they are doing. I am thrilled we are taking the opportunity to celebrate all their work and achievements.
Rich Nelmes is director of network at New Local
- The Next Generation Academy graduation takes place in central London on 6 December, hosted by Jacobs in partnership with Brown Jacobsen. To find out more about the Next Generation Academy, visit the website at www.newlocal.org.uk/network
Case Studies
RISING STARS SHARE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES
Amerdip Kaur and Michael Kane share what they have gained from the programme and how it is helping them to make a difference where they work
Amerdip Kaur, head of special projects, improvement and delivery, Birmingham City Council
It has been great to take part in the Next Generation Academy programme, where I met colleagues from local authorities across the UK. We discussed the issues and challenges affecting us, and shared different insights and approaches to tackling them, such as using a solutions mindset to reach a successful conclusion.
I am responsible for working with service areas with entrenched performance issues, and co-producing recommendations and implementation plans that ultimately lead to better service delivery. I found it very beneficial to learn from others as well as share my own experience in a confidential environment.
It was really valuable to have further practice in applying ‘questions style' engagement and coaching through the Academy – these techniques will be invaluable in my own council. Having conversations with colleagues which enable them to think outside of the box and arrive at solutions in a collaborative way will be essential as we move forward next year.
Michael Kane, head of policy, performance and partnerships, Bolton MBC
The Next Generation Academy has broadened my perspective on a range of challenges that we are facing in my council and across local government. Each session focused on topical issues, such as strategic leadership, delivering change, and maintaining strong relationships with our communities which led to really purposeful discussions.
The programme has given me an opportunity to share my experience with officers from a wide range of local authorities and it was so interesting to hear others' first-hand experiences.
The sessions always felt like a safe space to share challenges without judgement.
I loved the ground rules where we were instructed not to offer advice, but to actively share our own experiences which kept us in a good peer-to-peer learning mode.
Being nominated by my chief executive meant that I joined the Next Generation Academy with an expectation that I would use this opportunity to develop my professional practice in Bolton. With that in mind, I shared my own specific challenge in the ‘Creating Change and Fresh Purpose' session. It was powerful to hear the experiences of my peers – sometimes similar and sometimes very different – and it enabled me to do some reflective thinking.
My experience has had a real impact on how I delivered this work. I hope those colleagues can appreciate the positive difference they made.
A key learning for me is in recognising that sharing experience and knowledge is more valuable than offering advice to colleagues as it leaves them with the space and agency to deliver themselves.
