My weekly posts
Learning to read the island
I’m reflecting on how Island of the Blue Dolphins shaped me early on. Karana’s survival taught me that systems fail and rescue may not come, but the world can still be understood through attention, relationship and agency. Real change is not imposed from outside; it means observing closely, working with context, building capability and becoming responsible within the system. The harder lesson is that abandonment can become apprenticeship, though resilience must not be romanticised. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_i-read-scott-odells-island-of-the-blue-activity-7458465671245570048-T5bQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
What ethical or spiritual belief system is tucked away, perhaps in your back pocket, influencing you even if you don’t acknowledge it?
I’ve been reflecting on the ethical and spiritual inheritance that quietly shapes me. For me, it is organising under a covenant: people bound by mutual promises of purpose, identity and behaviour, rather than contract or command. At its best, this creates distributed, consent-based authority, tolerance of dissent, and collective correction. But without structure, it can drift into niceness, shadow hierarchy, or endless consultation. It works where complex, values-led, relational work needs commitment without coercion. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_what-ethical-or-spiritual-belief-system-is-share-7456816557772500992-7jfj
Courses and events
Introducing the RedQuadrant Local Government Reorganisation hub
Local Government Reorganisation is coming fast. By April 2028, every new authority must be safe, legal, and fully operational. That means statutory officers secured, ICT cutovers rehearsed, services live, and residents experiencing seamless continuity. The RedQuadrant LGR Hub is the only model that guarantees readiness while embedding lasting capability. With a single accountable structure, governance at its core, and capability pillars across adults, children’s, SEND, ICT, finance, housing, and place, the Hub ensures no gaps, no surprises. Three outcomes, every time: Safe and legal on day one; Visible assurance and confidence in delivery; Future-ready capacity with transformation built in. Find out more now: https://www.redquadrant.com/lgrhub
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It’s available for free via our Teachable site – try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
Next National Commissioning Academy
We’re building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy – our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
What I’ve been reading:
Congratulations to Andrew Humphreys. who has stepped into a new role as SAVVI Delivery Manager.
The SAVVI project, (short for Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability) is about helping public services identify, assess, and support people at risk of poor outcomes, whether that’s homelessness, child poverty, or even being unable to evacuate during a flood. By developing open data standards, practical guidance, and innovative tools, SAVVI enables a truly coordinated, multi-agency response. You can read more on Andrew’s role, and on the project, here: https://coda.io/@savvi/welcome/exciting-news-from-the-savvi-team-313
Things I shared on socials:
Thinking with Time
Thinking with Time | Zaid Khan | SFIN-6011 | 2025-03-17 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_thinking-with-time-zaid-khan-sfin-6011-activity-7458503072730869760-krUK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
The challenge of practicing systemic design (or any work that aims to shift deeper roots and structures) is a systemic issue in itself
The challenge of practicing systemic design (or any work that aims to shift deeper roots and structures) is a systemic issue in itself – Deng (2025), LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-challenge-of-practicing-systemic-design-activity-7458409693561053184-HJbw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
English councils urged to install pavement gullies for home charging of electric cars
Scheme aims to stop cables trailing across pavements and encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles – Jasper Jolly (2025) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_english-councils-urged-to-install-pavement-activity-7458261469541888000-jUIO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Combining subjectivity and objectivity in systems thinking: The SOS sandwich
Combining subjectivity and objectivity in systems thinking: The SOS sandwich – Stauch and Papi-Thornton (2025) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_combining-subjectivity-and-objectivity-in-activity-7458170128468209665-3pxa?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 