The world of local government does not stand still. Senior managers in particular have to anticipate. Like a game of chess the manager needs to be thinking a few moves ahead. Just as a director finds it a useful exercise to put themselves in the head of the lead officer of the forthcoming inspection team or attempts to anticipate members' reactions, the question a senior manager needs to ask is what would I do in their position?

I was working with a very experienced director in a well-run, well-regarded local authority. As the strategic housing authority responsible for coordinating a large number of district councils and the probation service we were subject of an inspection.