TrustWorki’s Post

Building a culture of innovation in local government Continuing the theme of Leadership and Organisational Culture, let’s talk about the importance of developing a culture of innovation in local government. Most local authorities grapple with organisational systems and ways of working that, often unintentionally, stifle innovation. This can stem from an understandable aversion to risk, deeply ingrained hierarchical and silo structures, an intense focus on short-term results driven by immediate pressures, or a fear to put forward new ideas should they fail. The consequences can be significant - missed opportunities for radical improvements, waning employee engagement, and a growing disconnect with evolving citizen needs and their day to day experiences elsewhere. In today's rapidly changing world, cultivating a culture of innovation isn't just beneficial – it's essential for local government to remain effective when balancing increases in demand and reductions in funding. But what does this really mean in practice? At its core, it's about creating an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed, but actively sought out and incentivised. Where experimentation is encouraged, and where 'failure' is reframed as a valuable learning opportunity. This shift in mindset can be transformative, but it requires deliberate effort and leadership commitment. This is not new, but in my experience, it is still not commonplace. Some councils have found success in establishing innovation labs or hubs, providing dedicated spaces for staff to work on creative solutions to pressing challenges. Others have implemented reward systems that recognise innovative thinking, and not just successful outcomes – acknowledging that the process of innovation is as valuable as the end result. Providing training in creative problem-solving techniques and design thinking can also help equip staff with new tools to approach old problems. In my experience however, encouraging cross-departmental and partner collaboration is a great starting point to spark unexpected ideas and solutions that might never emerge within traditional departmental or organisational silo thinking. An innovation culture isn't about grand inventions or technological breakthroughs. It’s about unlocking the creative potential of the workforce, driving meaningful improvements in services, and increasing organisational resilience in the face of significant challenges. #localgov #innovation #transformation #change #leadership #culture #orgdevelopment RPNA

Driving innovation in the workplace is critical for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market. But how can organisations create an environment where innovative thinking flourishes? Open communication is the foundation. Encouraging employees to share their ideas freely fosters a sense of ownership and involvement. Recognising and rewarding innovative contributions motivates teams to keep pushing boundaries and thinking creatively. Continuous learning is another vital component. By offering opportunities for professional development and exposure to new trends, companies can inspire fresh ideas and keep employees engaged. Lastly, calculated risk-taking is essential. A culture that embraces experimentation and sees failure as a learning opportunity is more likely to innovate successfully. Organisations that prioritise innovation not only keep pace with industry changes but also create an empowering culture where employees feel motivated to contribute to long-term success. #InnovationCulture #CreativeLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #BusinessGrowth

This quote by Mark Twain is still ringing true in this fast-changing world of work - would you agree? We are experiencing a digital world that is gradually replacing a more traditional or “Analog” world, with its deeply rooted norms and mindsets regarding work, careers, and organisational life. 21st century realities continue to challenge 20th century models and assumptions on so many aspects of our lives including work and working life. Changes will be required as to how we individually and collectively approach this new phase so that we can really thrive and not just cope: 🔹 Mindset Transformation: Embracing an adaptive and digital mindset to be open to new possibilities, challenge assumptions and to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. 🔹 Adaptability: Cultivating flexibility and openness to change as digital technologies continue to redefine industries and how we work. 🔹 Collaborative Innovation: Harnessing the power of AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation and collaboration. 🔹 Continuous Learning: Embracing lifelong learning to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy. 🔹 Diverse Perspectives: Fostering inclusivity and diversity to drive creativity and innovation in digital work environments. The transition from analog to digital isn't just about adopting new tools; it's about embracing a new way of thinking and working - and leading the transition in a sustainable way for generations to come. Check out our market-leading solutions to help your organisations & people adapt and thrive in this fast-changing world of work - https://lnkd.in/ecxb4_qp Join our peer-learning platform designed to enable Future of Work leaders and senior HR professionals shape the Future of Work, together - https://lnkd.in/eFNetc2R Contact info@workmatters.ie today! #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #DigitalMindset #Adaptability #Innovation #Collaboration #ContinuousLearning #DiversityandInclusion #DigitalEconomy #LifelongLearning #WorkplaceTransformation #TechInnovation #EmbraceChange #WorkplaceCulture #DigitalWorkforce

What do top tech companies have in common? 🍩☕️🏋️♀️🎱 It's not sleek offices, free breakfast, or gym memberships... The true differentiator lies in their approach to team building. 👫👫 Throughout my career with leading companies in consumer technology, enterprise software, and cloud services, I've found that building high-performance teams is both an art and a science. ----------------------------------- Here are 10 tips to consider ----------------------------------- 1️⃣ Hire smarter people than you: Surround yourself with talent that challenges you and pushes the boundaries. 2️⃣ Invest heavily in training and development: The best teams are those that never stop learning. 3️⃣ Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation: Encourage curiosity and reward creative problem-solving. 4️⃣ Involve the team in strategic planning: Empower your team by involving them in decisions that shape the future. 5️⃣ Set clear goals and expectations but give autonomy in execution: Define the destination but let the team choose the route. 6️⃣ Celebrate success—both individual and team achievements: Recognition fuels motivation and reinforces a culture of excellence. 7️⃣ Assign unique challenges to each person: Allow everyone to shine by giving them opportunities to contribute uniquely. 8️⃣ Practise equality and avoid favouritism: A fair and just environment fosters trust and collaboration. 9️⃣ Switch from “I” to “We” in celebrating success: Collective success is the true measure of leadership. 🔟 Communicate excessively: If you want your team to share and collaborate effectively, set the standard by leading with open and frequent communication. 👉 The takeaway? It’s not about you, your title, ego or accolades. Your team is your greatest asset. Invest in them, empower them, and they’ll propel your business to new heights. 💪 #HighPerformanceTeams #LeadershipDevelopment #TalentManagement #TeamBuilding #CorporateCulture #TechIndustry #CloudComputing #EmployeeEngagement #OrganisationalSuccess #InnovationCulture

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with new and familiar faces alike at CoreNet Global UK Chapter Future Focus Conference last week. There’s such a strong sense of community in our industry - connected by our collective drive to learn, grow, and shape the future of the workplace. Some key takeaways that resonated with me, especially from an inspiration key-note session: • PRODUCTIVITY 💡 - In a world where we are constantly juggling tasks, we often confuse being busy with being truly productive. It’s time we shift our focus from simply getting things done to allowing space for deep focus to allow for innovation and long term growth. • RESILIENCE 💪- Too many organisations are operating on endurance; just keep pushing. Cultivating a resilience culture is essential for sustainable success, and that means prioritising renewal - recovery and rest is so important for high performance. • PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY 🌱 - True leadership is about creating an environment where people feel safe to take risks, fail, and grow. Interestingly, psychological safety and scale are inversely related, which is why we need to make time for 1:1s with our teams, rather than them being the first things to drop from the diary when work ramps up. And the biggest reminder of all: 🌟 We must embrace the imperfection and make peace with the fact that we will never be done with our to-do lists, and take enjoyment in the journey we’re on. 🌟 (It was also refreshing to hear that despite the rise of AI and tech skills, softer people focused skills and roles like change management and workplace strategy are still in high demand - so, I’m not out of a job just yet! 😅) A huge thank you to Deutsche Bank for being such great hosts—it’s clear that you have truly designed your new space with the employee experience in mind, and along with other inspirational panel members, are passionate about creating environments where people can thrive. #CoreNet #Leadership #WorkplaceStrategy #EmployeeExperience #FutureOfWork #Resilience #SustainablePerformance #FutureFocus #PowerofPeople #OneSizeFitsNobody #HarnessingData #Community #EmbracetheJourney

Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor: 2024 brought a clear reminder: while technology shapes how we work, human connection remains the foundation of transformation. Here's what defined my year at Standard Chartered and beyond 🌍 Leading our 80,000-strong global workforce into the future of work taught me that flexibility isn't about location - it's about trust. We've moved beyond rigid hybrid models to empower leaders in having intentional conversations about how work serves client, business, team and individual needs. Key moments that shaped our transformation: • Earned Brain-Based Team Coaching certification from NeuroLeadership Institute • Led global menopause awareness initiatives, advancing intersectionality in workplace support • Spoke alongside 90+ global HR leaders at AIHR Summit about connecting data, technology and people • Building trust-based flexible working practices that truly support our people Three insights that resonated most with our community: "The Real Meaning of Flexible Working" When I got the lurgy (common cold), working from home wasn't just an option - it was the right choice for everyone. That's what true flexibility means. https://lnkd.in/eTY8Yqmc "Human Connection in Banking" Meeting clients in Singapore after 10 years reminded me why trusted relationships matter more than ever in our digital age. https://lnkd.in/eySr2hdp "Global Learning Week Impact" Watching 2,000+ colleagues explore high performance with world-class experts showed how learning transforms culture. https://lnkd.in/eArKJ8wK Looking ahead: 2025 will be about scaling intentional flexibility and deepening our commitment to inclusive workplaces. We're showing that sustainable performance comes from trust, not control - and that profit and purpose strengthen each other. To every leader navigating workplace transformation: the future of work isn't about where we work - it's about how we empower people to deliver their best 💪🏽 #sc #futureofwork #flexibleworking #profitwithpurpose

Digital change in organisations is exciting and it can propel your performance and capability to new levels, if embedded well. It can even turn people on… ( now that got your attention!) … to pushing their own boundaries. Let’s not forget too, the rewards of claiming back time, reducing costs or having more money to spend on other areas, even your future or education! Transcending to a digital workplace will require building a digital mindset and it does require change … and so will require consistency, challenge and care. Pace will need to be constant and celebratory, get ready to give lots of praise and encouragement! The challenge is to create as many smiling faces as possible. The amount of times I have had conversations with organisations who gave in, only partly integrated or worse still have some parts working well and others not so ending up in a mess or going backwards, is beyond my mental maths. Its ok I say, what do you want to achieve and let’s start there. #digital #hr #solutions #makeithappen

I love tech.. of course, but building good tech is usually more about the people than the technology. Taking a people-first approach to business sounds ideal—but it can be a real challenge when old habits and traditional mindsets get in the way. Many companies are still shaped by "old world" rules that prioritise productivity over well-being, reinforce rigid hierarchies, and define success purely by profit. Shifting to a people-first mindset means rethinking these norms and making well-being, autonomy, and flexibility part of the business strategy. Instead of viewing employees as productivity metrics, a people-first approach encourages us to support sustainable work. It means empowering teams with autonomy and accountability, not micromanagement. It’s about defining success in broader terms—valuing employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and genuine connection over “just getting the job done.” Of course, this isn’t easy. Old patterns like “one-size-fits-all” policies or resistance to change can make it tough. But if we’re serious about building businesses that last, we need to think beyond profits and recognising more than just a single bottom line. When people feel valued, they bring their best, most innovative selves to the table. And that benefits everyone—from the team to the clients and end-users of the technology. Creating a workplace that genuinely puts people first isn’t just nice, I would argue that it’s essential for true healthy business growth. If you are out there trying to build a similar business with a similar mindset, I want you to know that while the journey may not be easy (I still fall into old programmed patterns regularly) your not alone, and it’s worth it. When employees thrive, businesses do too. #Peoplefirst #Techforgood #Workculture #Leadership #Employeeexperience #Sustainablesuccess

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, fostering creativity and innovation isn't just beneficial—it's essential. At Red Umbrella Consultancy, we believe that every employee has the potential to contribute creatively, transforming their ideas into valuable business solutions. To nurture this creative potential, we've implemented several key strategies: 1️⃣ Cross-functional collaboration: Encouraging teams from different departments to work together on projects, providing fresh perspectives and unique solutions. 2️⃣ Innovation workshops: Regular workshops that teach creative thinking techniques and allow employees to experiment with new ideas in a risk-free environment. 3️⃣ Open idea submissions: A platform where employees can propose innovations, which are then reviewed and potentially developed by relevant teams. By removing barriers to innovation and celebrating out-of-the-box thinking, we've seen remarkable ideas come to life, driving growth and keeping us at the forefront of our industry. #WorkplaceInnovation #CreativityAtWork #HRLeadership

My latest column for HR Exchange Network, "The Dimensions of Organizational Development: The Bottomline of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," is now live! This article explores the 13 Top DEIB Trends for 2025, showcasing how the Diversity Architect Framework™ reimagines diversity as a strategic function embedded in every part of the organization. As we move into 2025, these trends offer a roadmap to foster inclusive workplaces where DEIB becomes integral to success and growth. ✨ Highlights from the article: AI and Technology driving DEIB through data and transparency Psychological Safety and Belonging as key pillars of inclusion Financial Wellness as a core part of DEIB strategy Intersectionality breaking down silos in Employee Resource Groups Neurodiversity and Disability Inclusion fostering accessibility Diversity as a Business Unit driving innovation and growth 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g6XqzhZt In 2025, Brooks Consultants will host webinars, workshops, and certification programs designed to equip professionals and organizations with the tools they need to implement strategic DEIB efforts. We are committed to providing actionable strategies to help organizations embed diversity into their DNA and create workplaces where inclusion thrives. Let’s embrace new strategies, spark innovation, and align DEIB with organizational success in 2025! #DEIB #DiversityArchitect™ #Trends2025 #OrganizationalDevelopment #Inclusion #Equity #HR