Local councils seek new leadership approach

A new survey has revealed that 60 per cent of local council HR directors would like a new style of leadership to help them deliver a better quality of service.

The survey, released by talent development consultancy GatenbySanderson, also showed that entrepreneurism, innovation and digital are the three areas that leaders need to work on as their operating environments change.

The survey of 144 HR directors found that many councils were implementing programmes to improve their capabilities, while 38 per cent also admitted to seeking new leaders.

Moreover, 79 per cent said that the capability to innovate and identify new approaches remained the most common attributes sought by local authorities in prospective sector leaders. Additionally, 70 per cent identified commercial skills as key attributes for successful leadership, while 60 per cent highlighted an ability to manage change.

Jon Houlihan, local government lead at GatenbySanderson, said: “While the community leadership principles of local government remain the same, the political, economic and social situation facing local government leaders has changed significantly in recent years.

“Successful leaders within the sector now need to demonstrate commercial nous, the ability to manage change and an aptitude for innovation and digital, alongside conventional leadership capabilities, to deliver effective leadership.”