Transduction — leading transformation — Issue #191
My weekly posts
Local government is facing massive mergers and separations. We’ve just delivered the best business case in record time — and we can actually implement too!
We’ve just delivered the best business case for Greater Essex in record time — thanks to brilliant collaboration, clients, and our RedQuadrant team. But safe-and-legal day one isn’t enough: transformation must follow. That’s why we’ve launched our LGR Transition & Implementation Hub. What lessons have you learned from mergers and separations? Link in comments to book a chat. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_local-government-is-facing-massive-mergers-activity-7371086611532636160-HN3Z/
Narratives with power
I’ve been reflecting on three narratives: the inflating (‘we already have what we need’), the deflating (the take-down), and a third that embraces both cringe and transcendence — and often humour. Turning 50 and a mayonnaise-for-eggs mishap remind me to stay humble. This stance shapes my transformation work and my SCiO talk; apprenticeship/course details in the comments. https://chosen-path.org/2025/08/27/narratives-with-power/
Courses and events
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
The new apprenticeship Leading and Commissioning for Outcomes in Complexity — Convening Systems Change can supercharge your career and transform your organisation. Fully funded Level 7 programme this year only! Real-world impact through applied systems thinking. For commissioners, system leaders, and systems change-makers. For further information, see https://www.publicservicetransformation.org/level-7-apprenticeship-course-leading-and-commissioning-for-outcomes-in-complexity-convening-systems-change-free-webinar-on-20-august-2025-1230pm-uk-time/
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
This September — Outcomes-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction
We’ve announced new dates for our introduction to commissioning course at the PSTA, perfect for early career commissioners in police, justice, health, care, children’s services, or other commissioning disciplines. Register your interest now. https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925
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
Things I shared on socials:
Wealth Creation — investing in community agency taking place in person, Manchester, Tuesday 21 October
The Health Creation Alliance is the leading national cross-sector movement improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequity through Health Creation. Join them at their in-person 2025 Partnership Summit. https://thehealthcreationalliance.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Exploring approaches for using GOV.UK One Login in local government: join our discovery — MHCLG Digital
The way service users access public services is changing. At the heart of this transformation is GOV.UK One Login, which is a secure, unified way for people to sign in to government services. It’s currently being rolled out across central government in England, and now the Local Digital team is exploring how GOV.UK One Login could benefit local government. https://mhclgdigital.blog.gov.uk/2025/04/23/exploring-approaches-for-using-gov-uk-one-login-in-local-government-join-our-discovery/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Thu+11+Sep+2025&utm_campaign=The+Local+Digital+Newsletter+-+11+September+2025
“‘Well-led’: an evidence review”. Think Local, Act Personal.
Developed as part of a co-produced programme with TLAP and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), This report explores what it means to experience ‘well-led’ care and support, drawing on the perspectives of people with lived experience and people working in health and social care. https://thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/resources/well-led-an-evidence-review/
The Public Value of Arts and Culture. Mariana Mazzucato. Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
We need to move away from viewing arts and culture as a cost and towards recognising them as an investment. Arts and culture can be both a means and an end: a goal of economic policy as well as a precondition for economic transformation. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/publications/2025/sep/public-value-arts-and-culture
Comms messages: “Building a Bigger We”, a collection of essays from the Better Way network,
The report is full of powerful stories and practical wisdom — from councils liberating frontline staff to serve with compassion, to leaders embracing ‘servant leadership’, to communities practising radical listening.https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7368893084388077568/
Rewiring My Fashion Practice: Reflections on Systems Thinking and Sustainable Futures — Tala (2025)
Stepping Back to Reflect on the Rewire Module https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Jk
