My weekly posts
Professionalism can support judgement, competence and care – but it often means knowing how to keep difficult truths in a socially acceptable form.
Professionalism is often less about judgement, competence and care, and more about knowing how to package difficult truths in socially acceptable ways. In many organisations, the real issues are visible but rarely discussed directly. We become skilled at euphemism, abstraction and polite avoidance. The result is a polished unreality where symptoms are analysed but causes remain untouched. Professionalism is valuable when it helps us do difficult work well; it becomes corrosive when it keeps reality at a safe distance. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_leadership-corporateculture-psychologicalsafety-activity-7470369946812895232-oAlE
Why do people keep working on public service transformation when it’s so often frustrating, slow, and uncertain?
Public service transformation is often frustrating, slow and uncertain, yet the work continues because it matters. The post reflects on contributing to change from the margins rather than the centre, questioning impact while remaining motivated by the possibility of better outcomes. Real hope comes not from individuals but from the many practitioners, leaders, communities and organisations who keep showing up. Transformation is ultimately about countless people making things a little better, even when the results may take longer than a career to emerge. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_why-do-people-keep-working-on-public-service-activity-7470006700746465280-UAMv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADUV_eUBZSxZvFpx70OV050F6K5HM2MhTMo
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:
Love & Philosophy podcast: Punk, Tech & Care: B. Scot Rousse on Being Human in the AI Age
Love & Philosophy podcast with Hubert Dreyfus, Fernando Flores, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard (April 2026) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_love-philosophy-podcast-punk-tech-care-activity-7471151907638681600-3EHW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
The IR35 Fix That Changed Everything: Why Contractor Hiring Is Safe Again
(2025) For years, fear of crippling tax bills kept many businesses away from flexible talent. Under the new IR35 Reforms rules, if HMRC reclassified a contractor as “Inside IR35,” firms could face a tax bill up to five times higher than the true liability, a result of unfair double taxation that penalised hirers. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dave-chaplin-63113_the-ir35-fix-that-changed-everything-why-activity-7470778204346224640-AZKM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Where are the public sector reformers? Help us find them! Gavin Freeguard.
Where are the public sector reformers? Help us find them! Gavin Freeguard. (2025) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_where-are-the-public-sector-reformers-help-activity-7471093270518075394-CStM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Chris Mowles at the Complexity Lounge and 54 other videos
Chris Mowles at the Complexity Lounge and 54 other videos (2025) https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_chris-mowles-at-the-complexity-lounge-and-activity-7470945043890081793-eZN1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
The Systemic Lives Podcast
The Systemic Lives Podcast – YouTube and podcast feed, from Murmurations: Journal of Systemic Practice https://lnkd.in/ejCs-GvG https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_the-systemic-lives-podcast-youtube-and-activity-7470943310791147521-w9s-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 