Maggie Atkinson Consulting Ltd
Change management in a challenging world
Blog
The circus is in town!
| Posted on September 19, 2016 at 6:05 AM |
Back to it! Shiny new school uniforms, a change of all our clothing and footwear towards the coming autumn, too may apples coming off the trees to keep up and a scramble for recipes to use them, updated software on your phone and computer, new colleagues in familiar settings, the leaves falling into foggy mornings and ever shorter, ever crisper autumn days. Change is with us, as ever.
The season's change theme is there in the bigger arena at its usual dizzying speed and ferocity for public services. What leaders managers staff and partners are dealing with reminds me of a massive troop of jugglers or acrobats in a brightly floodlit arena where dropping what you're trying to control could see you fed to the lions. A new government is no respecter - when was it ever? - of the fact you were already busy before they arrived with their file of "ideas I've had on a shelf waiting for the time to be ripe."
By my reckoning we have, at the very least, all of the following. Don't hold your breath on any of them.
1. The continued will it/won't it dance over devolution of real Whitehall powers to town halls, where people seem to be a mixture of very capable and very frustrated, confused and optimistic. Change desperately needed, localities up for it, language and thinking gaps - not least ideological - between centre and localities.
2. The need to undo, but the simultaneous will to maintain, a Gordian knot of complexity and misunderstanding over integration and partnership between adult social care and health services. Change desperately needed, and the various parties veering between knowing what everybody else is thinking planning and doing, and a blame game over who's stopping progress. 2 government departments with different cultures over letting the people who know what to do get on and do it.
3. The constant dance between centre and local government over schooling: what it should look like, who should govern lead and hold it to account, what public money is and isn't allowed to do, who should learn where, being supported challenged and intervened in both how, and by whom. Stubborn myths abound: that local government is a dead hand (it isn't); that local government should take charge (OK then fund it to do so); that grammar schools aid social mobility and will overturn the class divide (they don't and won't); that exams are easy and/or, conversely, children are stupid (not so on either count).
4. HS2 seems to have become an exercise in spending money that isn't there, on a development that might or might not happen, led by people who have recently arbitrarily taken a ruler and pencil to the map of South Yorkshire, rubbing out one line people didn't want and replacing it with another one that other people don't want instead. Meanwhile money seems to drain out through an open sluice, whilst the North's provincial train services aren't going to see improvements any time soon and along any route both regeneration and social cohesion suffer.
5. There's more. The effects on communities of the Brexit vote for example, many of them hardly edifying. Welfare reform creating more difficulties than it solves. Housing reform, ditto. The continuing growth of pressures on and simultaneously shrinking resources in services to children young people and their families, ahead of their need for specialist intervention, as well as once they are in sufficient crisis to need a social worker. Topics for another day - or several!
It's trite but nonetheless true to say change is ever with us. But in this particular circus, there is a simultaneous need to not drop either the balls or the spinning acrobat, or worse, bring the big top down on all our heads. 2 big issues continue. Firstly, it seems equally endemic that we resist thinking our way into the other partners' heads, or working out what each of us is saying when we discuss how to get from here to where we want to be. And secondly, capacity to do both the ongoing day job and the huge and challenging change job seems ever harder to find in heavily strapped financial times. I would be fascinated to get into dialogue with those who are problem solving their way through all this without hurting the lives of the people they serve, hence publishing these musings as the season turns towards darker nights and politicians and officials alike attend summits and conferences as those nights draw in.
Categories: None
Post a Comment
Oops!
The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.
4890 Comments
Reply
Paulsow
2:22 PM on March 28, 2021
url=https://keepills.com/ says...
cost of erythromycin tablets
url=https://onapharmacy.com/ says...
tops pharmacy
url=https://icxhealth.com/ says...
celexa brand name
url=https://jjihealth.com/ says...
augmentin india
url=https://otctablets.com/ says...
zithromax pack
Reply
Paulsow
2:20 PM on March 28, 2021
url=https://cialisztab.com/ says...
priligy pills
url=https://saletadalafil.com/ says...
cheap generic tadalafil 5mg
url=https://isntabs.com/ says...
order bupropion uk
url=https://cialislevitraviagra.com/ says...
viagra 20 mg daily
url=https://viagrapv.com/ says...
cost of viagra in mexico
Reply
RichardFloat
1:33 PM on March 28, 2021
url=http://allmaleonline.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=or
zithromaxst.com/ says...
zithromax antibiotic
url=http://biternas.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zithror
omaxst.com says...
zithromax 500 mg lowest price pharmacy online
url=http://acnreps.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zithroor
maxst.com says...
buy zithromax online fast shipping
url=http://www.youximeng.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=3230116 says...or
buy generic zithromax online
url=http://drivefinancial.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?dor
=zithromaxst.com says...
can you buy zithromax over the counter
url=http://www.mengsns.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2724057 says...
generic zithromax 500mg
Reply
MelvinGox
1:23 PM on March 28, 2021
url=http://necinsurance.co.zw/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlor
ist&task=user&id=294682 says...
hydroxychloroquine 300 mg
url=http://fourpointsofbalance.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.or
php?d=hydroxychloroquinest.com/ says...
hydroxychloroquine 700 mg
url=http://riteshop.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydroor
xychloroquinest.com says...
hydroxychloroquine 200mg 60 tablets
url=http://safenetglobal.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=or
hydroxychloroquinest.com/" says...
hydroxychloroquine sulfate price
url=http://bbs.kongyangguoxue.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1225526
says...
plaquenil 200 mg 30 film tablet
Reply
Lisasow
12:13 PM on March 28, 2021
url=https://buyviagracialis.com/ says...
where to purchase cialis cheap
Reply
MelvinGox
12:07 PM on March 28, 2021
url=http://cioexpress.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydor
roxychloroquinest.com/ says...
plaquenil 200 mg
url=http://elovesucks.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydor
roxychloroquinest.com says...
plaquenil otc
url=http://fuckinggaytube.com/go.php?s=55&u=https://hydroxychloror
oquinest.com/ says...
hydroxychloroquine tablets 10 mg
url=http://57xianbao.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=795513 says...or
order plaquenil
url=http://60.16.24.209/upload/home.php?mod=space&uid=1926252 says...
generic plaquenil prices
Reply
RichardFloat
11:59 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://marcusdaniel.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zor
ithromaxst.com says...
generic zithromax india
url=http://www.jv9.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=2634505 says...or
zithromax drug
url=http://dinlesene.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zithor
romaxst.com says...
how to get zithromax
url=http://sklep.videozoo.pl/redirect.php?action=url&goto=zithroor
maxst.com> says...
cheap]zithromax capsules price
url=http://www.schoolchemistry.ru/cgi-bin/redirect.cgi?url=httpsor
://zithromaxst.com says...
generic zithromax india
url=https://ww.51tcw.com/space-uid-181086.html says...
buy zithromax 1000 mg online
Reply
Payday Express
11:16 AM on March 28, 2021
url=https://cashlnd.com/ says...
personal loan for poor credit
url=https://sameday.us.com/ says...
emergency loan
url=https://coracash.com/ says...
las vegas payday loan
url=https://lendingpd.com/ says...
instant loans online
url=https://cashadvia.com/ says...
payday loans indiana
url=https://zploans.com/ says...
loans no credit check
url=https://tunlending.com/ says...
internet payday loan
url=https://aprpaydayloans.com/ says...
quick cash loans online
url=https://cashadvaa.com/ says...
quickenloans
Reply
MelvinGox
10:49 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://xxx.dcxw.org/home.php?mod=space&uid=2910648 says...or
hydroxychloroquine 90
url=http://lw.lywhan.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=44662 says...or
plaquenil 200mg uk
url=http://www.hair-everywhere.com/cgi-bin/a2/out.cgi?id=48&l=maor
in&u=https://hydroxychloroquinest.com says...
hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablet 200 mg
url=http://aveaintouch7.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hor
ydroxychloroquinest.com/ says...
plaquenil weight loss
url=http://powerrockson.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=h
ydroxychloroquinest.com says...
hydroxychloroquine 40 mg
Reply
RichardFloat
10:22 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://gottheshotphotography.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademaror
k.php?d=zithromaxst.com/ says...
where to buy zithromax in canada
url=http://gardnerscandies.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?or
d=zithromaxst.com says...
buy zithromax online fast shipping
url=http://medefieldhab.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zor
ithromaxst.com says...
zithromax online paypal
url=http://dealerrefi.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zitor
hromaxst.com says...
generic zithromax india
url=http://www.awaker.info/home.php?mod=space&uid=2646142 says...or
cheap zithromax pills
url=http://gadish-ny.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zith
romaxst.com/ says...
zithromax buy
Reply
billigoel
10:02 AM on March 28, 2021
duke white yellow billig elite domenik hixon youth 1940s throwback jersey chicago bears 87 alternate navy blue nfl kohls boston red sox hats 07 nike air max 2010 mens running shoes canada nike falcons 98 takkarist mckinley black alternate mens stitched nfl elite jersey nike air free trainer 5.0 review billig
billigoel http://www.billigoel.net/
billigoel http://www.billigoel.net/
Reply
MelvinGox
9:34 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://www.klusr.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=149880 says...or
plaquenil sulfate
url=http://tastingnotes.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hor
ydroxychloroquinest.com says...
can you buy plaquenil over the counter
url=http://www.junmi360.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=46669 says...or
plaquenil discount
url=https://www.viagradocker.com/order-women-pack-20-online-en.hor
tml says...
plaquenil purchase online
url=http://ontheroadwithdonlen.us/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.p
hp?d=hydroxychloroquinest.com/ says...
how much is plaquenil
Reply
off white shoes
9:25 AM on March 28, 2021
I am also commenting to make you understand what a remarkable discovery my friend's girl went through going through your web site. She figured out a good number of details, most notably what it is like to have an awesome coaching mood to have many people clearly know several extremely tough topics. You truly exceeded her expected results. Thanks for producing those great, dependable, revealing and even easy guidance on that topic to Mary.
off white shoes http://www.off-whiteshoes.us.com
off white shoes http://www.off-whiteshoes.us.com
Reply
RichardFloat
8:51 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://www.atawoo.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=236353 says...or
where to get zithromax over the counter
url=http://bernhardgroup.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=or
zithromaxst.com says...
how to get zithromax
url=http://thehollywoodsmile.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.phor
p?d=zithromaxst.com/ says...
how to buy zithromax online
url=http://munetaberritxakolina.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademarkor
.php?d=zithromaxst.com says...
cheap zithromax pills
url=http://asphalter.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zithor
romaxst.com says...
zithromax 500mg price in india
url=http://www.vi4e.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=155661 says...
buy zithromax online australia
Reply
MelvinGox
8:19 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://bbs.mcrst.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=3113599 says...or
hydroxychloroquine brand
url=http://reputationcomcorruption.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademor
ark.php?d=hydroxychloroquinest.com/ says...
hydroxychloroquine sulfate oval pill
url=http://ok6.tw/jacky/home.php?mod=space&uid=806 says...or
plaquenil cheapest
url=http://superbiller.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hyor
droxychloroquinest.com says...
order plaquenil online
url=http://cultinc.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydrox
ychloroquinest.com/ says...
plaquenil price australia
Reply
RichardFloat
7:18 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://onestepsurety.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?dor
=zithromaxst.com/ says...
zithromax online usa no prescription
url=http://57xianbao.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=795609 says...or
zithromax without prescription
url=http://colleengold.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=zior
thromaxst.com/ says...
buy azithromycin zithromax
url=https://www.ah87.com/space-uid-174044.html says...or
how to get zithromax online
url=http://topnewportmall.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?dor
=zithromaxst.com says...
zithromax coupon
url=http://www.tzhmoli.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=54928 says...
how to get zithromax over the counter
Reply
MelvinGox
7:04 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://reachforzo.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydor
roxychloroquinest.com says...
hydroxychloroquine chloroquine
url=http://ozzyale.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydroxor
ychloroquinest.com/ says...
plaquenil buy online usa
url=http://61.222.153.86/home.php?mod=space&uid=185275 says...or
hydroxychloroquine tablets ip 400 mg
url=http://bbs.51pinzhi.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=2134978 says...or
how much is generic plaquenil
url=http://www.portaldageneralosorio.com.br/redirect.asp?cod_cli
ente=100397&link=https://hydroxychloroquinest.com says...
buy hydroxychloroquine online
Reply
MelvinGox
4:34 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://sugarstackmusic.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?or
d=hydroxychloroquinest.com/ says...
hydroxychloroquine sulfate oral
url=http://rd.fresheye.com/opg/web/2/?go=https://hydroxychloroquor
inest.com says...
hydroxychloroquine sulfate cost
url=http://invisitron.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hydor
roxychloroquinest.com says...
where to buy plaquenil
url=http://lw.lywhan.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=44971 says...or
cost of plaquenil in mexico
url=http://longviewam.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=hyd
roxychloroquinest.com/ says...
plaquenil brand
Reply
Oscarcrelt
4:27 AM on March 28, 2021
url=http://rochestercarsmall.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.phor
p?d=gabapentinst.com says...
neurontin 300
url=http://siexecutiveforum.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.phor
p?d=gabapentinst.com/ says...
discount neurontin
url=http://sozai2.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=gabapenor
tinst.com says...
neurontin 300 mg buy
url=http://1.qianlai8.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1154076 says...or
300 mg neurontin
url=https://celebboots.com/url.php?url=https://gabapentinst.com says...
neurontin 4 mg
Reply
insurance companies
3:51 AM on March 28, 2021
url=https://carinsurancetwo.com/ says...
auto insurance for seniors
Ah, to live in interesting times!
Ah, to live in interesting times!
I'm sure that, like me, for many contacts and colleagues, working days are running in anything but the usual order, anything but the usual way. For me, business has stopped for the time being, all bar finishing off some vital tasks to conclude a great assignment with a client whose people gave, gave and gave again as I worked to help them problem solve and solution find. I am still adjusting to the fact that, the diary being on hold (not closed!) there is, for the first time in my working life, no rush. No urgency in getting that domestic business done around my business and the people who seek to use it. I can take my time in the kitchen and the garden, at the piano or in my permitted outside exercise a day. This is not my style, and it makes me a bit jumpy. It's a struggle to believe it, let alone let my clock run slower than usual. For former colleague DCSs and their staff and partners, whilst some of the everyday clutter might have set itself aside, their days are very full, their sleeves rolled up and their heroic efforts focused on ensuring the people they serve are as safe as possible, for as long as possible, with as much dignity and support as can be afforded them. I salute them, as ever. I do remember what single community crises were like when I did the job. But then there was simply nothing of the scale, or the likely longevity, of the current massive challenge facing them, and society, right now.
This period of enforced introspection has got me thinking, mostly in the researcher part of my brain. What I see on a daily basis is that, beyond the muppets who don't think Covid19 is serious or could affect them and won't modify their conduct beyond getting mad and behaving badly, thousands of people are just doing good. Volunteering, offering simple help like dropping off shopping on a neighbour's doorstep, going a LOT further and putting themselves on the line, offering free online support to parents whose children are not at school so everybody may be feeling the strain. The observer in me is starting to hatch some ideas that would bear scrutiny when this is all over. Here are some research questions you might help me think about!
Will the economy recover? Or will we have to grow to being, by necessity, a more socially aware nation that seeks out and supports our strugglers rather than blaming them for their own situations then getting on with our own lives? What will a national workforce look like when we are through the other side? Will we stay connected, or are we likelier to go back to being frantic, self-absorbed, as our pre-crisis behaviour tended to make us? Will the memory of when people pulled together, stayed local, formed bonds via Zoom or Skype or WhatsApp linger? Will we mark when we realised that "We don't need that meeting" was an actual thing? When people found both altruism and skills they didn't know they had? When all this is over, can we harness citizen research as well as that done in academia to explore the phenomena we are witnessing as people turn towards others as well as addressing their own concerns? Or does it take a serious crisis, another Covid19, to make us step into a shared mental and emotional space and capture what it teaches us rather than staying in our own, meaning we will forget? I'm working on some approaches to research bodies on all this, given this is a truly remarkable, as well as a sad, scary, deeply unsettling and uncertain - an "interesting" - time.
If you would like to co-explore what I ruminated on above, or if like me you are watching fascinated as people stop buying what they don't need and concentrate on what they and others do need? Together? Please get in touch!
And in the meantime? Stay safe. Good luck. And if you are in an organisation that's keeping us all going, thank you.
Oops!
Oops, you forgot something.