My weekly posts
Beyond provision: civic life is lived by people
I think that we need to move beyond seeing society through the lens of service provision. Focusing only on who provides services traps us in managing demand rather than understanding the wider system of relationships, strengths, communities and support that help people thrive. Drawing on examples such as homelessness, I suggest that lasting solutions come from enabling people, connections and learning. My view is simple: stop asking who provides and start asking what helps people live well. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_we-need-an-industrial-strategy-for-civic-activity-7468566750004064256-VOMG
I spend a lot of time arguing that systems thinking shouldn’t be a niche specialism anymore; it should be basic managerial literacy. Especially in public services!
I argue that systems thinking should be a core management skill, not a niche specialism, particularly in public services facing financial pressure, structural change, integration challenges and workforce strain. In discussing this on the Consulting Leaders podcast, I reflected on why transformation is rarely held back by a lack of intelligence; more often it is hindered by conflicting incentives, fear, fragmentation and operational overload. Despite the occasional consultant cliché, the conversation helped clarify these issues for me. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_slide-deck-activity-7468202558516465664-T_w3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
LGR? The real challenge is what comes next
The real challenge of Local Government Reorganisation comes after vesting day. While governance, finance and ICT risks are well understood, deeper issues such as overloaded leadership, fragmented decision-making, weak organisational learning and cultures resistant to change often remain. The councils most likely to succeed will use reorganisation as an opportunity to build capability, understand the root causes of demand, strengthen adaptability and create a more cohesive and responsive organisation. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-real-challenge-is-what-comes-next-activity-7467470349996130304-APqB
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:
RIP Edgar Morin
RIP Edgar Morin. Benjamin P Taylor. https://stream.syscoi.com/2026/06/03/rip-edgar-morin/
RIP Jim Rutt (with John Krakauer on Why Neuroscience Needs Behavior and Tyson Yunkaporta on Ceremony, Skepticism, and Seeing in 3D).
RIP Jim Rutt (with John Krakauer on Why Neuroscience Needs Behavior and Tyson Yunkaporta on Ceremony, Skepticism, and Seeing in 3D). Benjamin P Taylor. https://stream.syscoi.com/2026/06/01/rip-jim-rutt-with-john-krakauer-on-why-neuroscience-needs-behavior-and-tyson-yunkaporta-on-ceremony-skepticism-and-seeing-in-3d/
Problematique Dialogue 2026 retrospective
Problematique Dialogue 2026 retrospective – Ing (2026). David Ing. https://stream.syscoi.com/2026/05/31/problematique-dialogue-2026-retrospective-ing-2026/
chosen path 