My weekly posts
If we’re going to get through this, we have to take back the horrors of war. A philosophy of consulting.
To navigate complex systems, especially in public services, we must face the harsh realities rather than outsourcing them. RedQuadrant, an anti-consultancy, acknowledges its role in perpetuating these issues and advocates for minimal viable scaffolding for change. True transformation isn’t managed through rigid plans but grown through direction, learning loops, and structures for coherence. Real change begins with listening, not measuring. If you’re interested, get in touch. We can help. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_somebody-elses-problem-activity-7310231449377341440-3Fey
You’re being told it’s simple – it’s not
Local government reorganisation is complex and lacks a clear roadmap. It’s about navigating complexity, making decisions under pressure, and building identity, relationships, and purpose. Councils must redesign structure, culture, accountability, and delivery while serving real communities. A neat programme plan won’t suffice. We shared a visual tool to map the terrain, capturing political dynamics, economic pressures, transitional pain, and cultural shifts. Mapping the mess gives perspective, helping us act wisely in complexity. Real leadership in local government starts with listening, not measuring. If you’re interested, get in touch. We can help. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_devolution-complexity-leadership-activity-7311054485890453504-9zQ3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Courses and events
New! Introduction to outcomes-based commissioning: a 10 step introduction, cohort 9
Back by popular demand – our introductory course for commissioning. Running online with anticipated dates in May https://link.redquadrant.com/introtooutcomes9
Our sensemaking community, sharing learning on devolution and local government organisation
Join our sensemaking community for the days after – a space for public service leaders to share urgent learning on devolution and local government reorganisation. We meet twice a month to make sense of today’s complexities or follow along by email. Join the group at https://sensemaking.groups.io
PSTA Webinar – Drowning out the voices we need to hear. Why F.I.R.E.D. leaders are your ‘hidden gems’. With Paul McCarthy
Join Apr 8, 2025 02:15 PM. Using his own personal experiences, as well as research, case studies and outputs of interviews, Paul introduces the F.I.R.E.D. Leadership Framework and shows organizations why we need to embrace leaders who think differently. By helping reframe how organizations perceive their ‘agitators’, Paul shows how to cut through the noise to equip those organizations with the approach needed to create the next generation of leaders our world so desperately needs to successfully navigate ongoing disruption, continue to innovate and deliver transformative outcomes. Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PerIZnKBQOyse_6aTwDR5Q
The Next National Commissioning Academy — coming early 2025
We are currently working on the next iteration of the National Commissioning Academy, which we expect to launch in 2025. Dates and locations will be forthcoming!
Read more here: https://www.publicservicetransformation.org/2024/09/the-next-national-commissioning-academy-coming-early-2025/
Towards Relational Public Services Conference 2025
3rd to 5th June 2025 Manchester Metropolitan University. This conference seeks to continue to explore the challenges of making Relational Public Services a reality for service users, professionals and academics alike: in an increasingly complex world, how can public services and social interventions create and sustain positive lives for the people and populations they serve?
Find out more here: https://www.complexityoutcomes.org/
Complexity & Management Conference 6–8th June 2025
The conference begins on Friday 6th June 2025 and finishes at lunchtime on Sunday 8th. The currency of the conference is conversation and exploration in large groups and small.
Read more here: https://complexityandmanagement.com/2024/11/04/complexity-management-conference-6-8th-june-2025/
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Work in England or Wales? Want to develop your systems thinking skills? Sign up now for the next cohort of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship — Cherith Simmons, with experts from SCiO (including me) — likely start in January 2025!
Things I shared on socials:
“Brexit” is the villain in ‘accidental’ death of the economy | William Keegan. The Guardian
Like characters in Dario Fo’s farce, we complain about, but tolerate, the most damaging political scandal of our time https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/06/brexit-is-the-villain-in-accidental-death-of-the-economy?utm_content=buffer9c376&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Top ten most read posts on the Systems Community of Inquiry in 2024
What this shows is perhaps (with views here from 1,211 to 205) this isn’t super widely read – though a couple hundred at least get it by email. Views are down 18% year-on-year, possibly fewer updates, most likely due to the ability to automate posting in various Facebook groups having been taken away (Facebook still the biggest referrer). Makes me regret that – and the same for LinkedIn groups, gone many years ago! https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/03/25/top-ten-most-read-posts-on-the-systems-community-of-inquiry-in-2024/
‘I feel really, really cross at incredibly dumb decisions’: Stephen Sackur on the end of HARDtalk – and leaving the BBC. The Guardian.
For 19 years he has held the powerful to account on a show that attracts huge audiences around the world. Now it is over. He discusses his anger with management, his pride in his team – and what he’ll do next. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/24/i-feel-really-really-cross-at-incredibly-dumb-decisions-stephen-sackur-on-the-end-of-hardtalk-and-leaving-the-bbc?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&utm_content=bufferdc72f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Hyperfixed podcast – Folklore (Kyle’s Version)
The Trouble with Measurement https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/03/27/hyperfixed-podcast-folklore-kyles-version/
How to raise £60 billion for public services: our ten tax reforms. Tax Justice.
The UK’s super-rich have accumulated record levels of wealth in recent years, while our public services have been decimated and inequality has soared. https://taxjustice.uk/blog/how-to-raise-60-billion-for-public-services-our-ten-tax-reforms/?utm_content=bufferbd847&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Cameron Tonkinwise on LinkedIn – the insidious impact on theory and culture of the way diagrams are created
I saw this diagram in my feed while thinking about Brian Marick’s recent Oddly Influenced podcast about the way in which Winston Royce unwittingly misdirected his argument by the way he diagrammed what was then taken to be the ‘waterfall’ development process. https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/03/27/cameron-tonkinwise-on-linkedin-the-insidious-impact-on-theory-and-culture-of-the-way-diagrams-are-created/
chosen path 