It’s raining, it’s Friday… take our test and see what sort of local government bod you are…
1) You’re a delegate at a roundtable seminar and the introductory remarks portion swings round to you… you are most likely to say…
a) We need to take a step back and ask, “What is local government really for?”
b) I’m recognising a lot of issues from around the table that I see in my own authority.
c) I’m really here to listen and learn.
d) We’re essentially doing all the things people have just suggested but the difference is we’re genuinely leading on it.
2) You’re asked to produce an article for a noted local government publication/blog. Do you?
a) Spend most of your time finding a picture that shows you looking as non-local government as possible.
b) Spend a full week researching sources for what is a 400 word piece.
c) Make your primary concern getting it signed off by your line manager.
d) Make a point of making your article genuinely challenging to your own authorities practices.
3) You are at a conference and have been put on a table of random people for a breakout session. Do you?
a) Try and steer the discussion towards the most recent blog you’ve read about the latest tech revelation in California.
b) Be the first to suggest that everyone introduces themselves and what they are hoping to achieve from being there.
c) Repeat the challenges from the plenary you’ve just been in.
d) Bring everybody’s discussion points back to an “example from my authority is”…
4) When you think of your authorities residents do you mostly envisage…
a) A bevy of trendy twenty and thirty somethings all willing to do stuff for free because it’s ‘cool’.
b) An endless line of adult social care users.
c) Vulnerable People. Period.
d) Plebeians.
5) You’ve just been made council leader/CEX. Your first priority is…
a) Complete strategic review of the council from top to bottom, despite the fact the last one the council held was three months ago.
b) Management re-structure to better fit corporate priorities.
c) Seek guidance from corresponding leader/CEX. (Depending on which you are)
d) Insist that you get an office refurbishment to better reflect the status of the position you now hold.
If you answered mostly;
A = You’re an imagineer. Congratulations, you work in local government but in your mind you’re only two steps removed from being a Silicon Valley social entrepreneur.
B = You’re a weathervein. Much more attuned to the world around them than an imagineer; the weathervein is ahead of the masses, but only just.
C = You’re an apostle. A public servant at heart, you see need everywhere and you have the service to sort it. Change for changes sake is not high on your agenda.
D = You’re a dictator. You’re good and you know you are. So does everyone else… because you keep telling them.
