Leadership survey 2011 A survey of 103 council chiefs and directors Conducted by LGC in Sept 2011 Part of the LGC/BT Leadership Partnership

75% 70% 43% 32% 27% 11% Delivering services/outcomes with/through partners means direction and strategy must be clearer than ever Falling income means we can’t do everything so difficult decisions will need to be taken The council will need to lead the community to change their behaviour Changing demographics mean demand is increasing Expectations are rising Falling morale among staff Why is it important than councils are well led?

50% 43% 29% 28% 26% 22% 17% 15% Reluctance to prioritise/stop doing things Unhelpful comments by ministers/MPs about local government Resistance/insufficient engagement from other local public bodies/agencies The reputation/perceptions of local government among residents Failure of government departments to pool funding Embedded resistance to change within the council What are the greatest challenges you face today? Lack of capacity in local community/voluntary sector Failure of government departments to devolve

Chief executives are hostages to a raft of often conflicting goals and ambitions and need real toughness and resilience in dealing with these. The importance of 'speaking truth unto power' has never been more important whatever the political or career risks. I have no intention of being Chief Executive of Cloud Cuckoo Land! “

As public services are delivered by an event greater number of agencies the need for leaders to be able to create and nurture relationships with others has never been greater Members need to define the type of CX an organisation requires. Internal managing type CX or external facing figurehead type of CX. I believe this is should be a conscious decision. Each have benefits/drawbacks. “ “

The advent of single party politics and professional Councillors has to be matched by the development of new ways of doing things, otherwise this generation will oversee the end of large scale participation in local democracy. It is right in terms of accountability and legitimacy for politicians, not officers, to lead and be seen to be leading. However many politicians seem to find it easier to spend time on operational issues than to address the big strategy or policy considerations “ “

53% Local gov 23% Retire 37% Elsewhere...

Reflections Leadership skills/attributes needed for the future: Communications  Political interface  Collaboration  People  Reputation/engagement Understanding of technology and impact on communities Commercial nous