Transduction – leading transformation – Issue #231

My weekly posts

What happens when the people getting a new council safely to day one are also the people who will have to make it work on day two?

An interview with Simon Higgins has reinforced for me that successful local government reorganisation is about far more than getting to day one safely. It requires dedicated capacity, long-term thinking beyond vesting day, and a deep understanding of how culture, leadership and people’s roles change. The real challenge isn’t just creating a new council – it’s creating one that can thrive on day two, year two and beyond. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_localgovernment-lgr-publicservicetransformation-ugcPost-7485626195032641536-KIro/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADUV_eUBZSxZvFpx70OV050F6K5HM2MhTMo

A systems practice If, a poem

If systems practice can invite without deceiving, And open up the field without pretence; If it can simplify without relieving The world of all its mess and consequence. See the full poem at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_a-systems-practice-if-if-systems-practice-share-7485079093026271232-5IWa/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

Courses and events

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 for our September 2026 cohort: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25

Leadership for systems change with LGR 2028!

Curious about how to lead transformation in the context of local government reorganisation and devolution? Responding to complexity: leading transformation in local government reorganisation and devolution is a five-month programme with the Open University and RedQuadrant, taking place September 2026-January 2027. We invite participants from organisations preparing for, going through, or having been through reorganisation, and who want to learn with and from others to build capacity for transformation in uncertainty.https://lnkd.in/gpX6ZG8h

smartCompass – our new AI-supported tool for AI for community-powered outcomes

Our new prototype smartCompass is a new, free tool to help commissioners, leaders, partners, and people working in public services see how their system is really working — and where to act next.Answer sixteen questions about a system you care about, and receive a personalised, AI-supported response by email. It helps you see strengths, blockers, patterns, and possible next moves. https://link.redquadrant.com/smartCompass

Compass v2 – comment on our new systems change tool

We’re now inviting comments on this beta new version of a systems change insight tool https://link.redquadrant.com/compassv2beta

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

Things I shared on socials:

Elinor Ostrom’s IAD – A framework for analyzing institutions through individual choices

Elinor Ostrom’s IAD – A framework for analyzing institutions through individual choices https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_elinor-ostroms-iad-a-framework-for-analyzing-activity-7486406936528130050-UMNM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

Who first said ‘hitting the target but missing the point’?

This is a snappy phrase which captures the impact of Campbell/Goodhart/Strathern’s law https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_who-first-said-hitting-the-target-but-missing-activity-7486372203232612353-CZvN?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

How would you go Nazi?

(2024) Dorothy Thompson’s celebrated 1941 Harper’s Magazine piece, ‘Who Goes Nazi?’ offers a chilling insight. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_how-would-you-go-nazi-activity-7486313559640154112-aVa8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

Gil Scott Heron “Winter In America”

Gil Scott Heron “Winter In America” (1974) HIGH QUALITY – YouTube https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_gil-scott-heron-winter-in-america-1974-activity-7486166638623576065-S9kF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho