Please contact alice.mcdavid@dods-training.com inreagrds to future dates and bespoke sessions.
The aim of the session will be to support Civil Servants to prepare for a change in government at the next election. The core focus is on mental preparation for new leaders who may have very different views to the current policy status quo. The approach will be to use the experience in the room, along with some specific facilitator input. The objectives are to:
- Identify challenges facing new ministers coming new to your department
- Identify policy assumption and language “trust breakers”
- Focus on leadership qualities and actions to lead successfully through the election process
1. Identify challenges facing new ministers
Work as a group to identify significant contextual points and draw out challenges e.g.
- Next government may be led by people with little experience of governing
- New governments generate new policies to make their mark – anticipate uptick in work as well as potential changes in focus
2. Identify policy assumption and language “trust breakers”
It’s hard to create immediate trust with new ministers. In groups:
- Identify deep assumptions held in your department - where has policy or approach become unconsciously accepted? Bust those myths…
- Identify language markers - what words are associated with current regime even though they might feel neutral? Identify “non-political” facts…
3. Leadership qualities and actions
Successful transition to a new regime depends on leadership:
- Listen and reflect - seniority doesn't mean you have no blind spots
- Think actively about leadership qualities that will help manage uncertainty for yourself and others – including ones you don’t usually get a chance to use
- Practical steps to lead your teams for successful regime change e.g. how to support teams to keep their language neutral and factual in briefings and preparation documents