Be future focussed and drive positive change
Why is this important?
We aim to have a workforce that thinks and acts creatively regarding the future service delivery. This is necessary to respond to different and changing demands within local government. Flexibility, anticipating trends and seeking new opportunities is key. To achieve this at your level in the organisation you will need to demonstrate the following values and behaviours:
- constructively challenge the status quo to seek better ways of doing things; embrace change
- flexibly adapt to changing situations, circumstances, requirements and priorities
- understand how you can be more creative and innovative in your work; spot new opportunities
- demonstrate a willingness to work in different ways and across team and organisational boundaries
In addition for managers:
- lead the development of a vision for the future and enable clear strategies to achieve it
- create a culture that encourages creativity and innovation. Seek to develop new approaches to service delivery and new ways of working
- develop services in a way that reflects community and customer needs rather than organisational boundaries
- supporting others through ambiguity and complexity
- inspires people to feel part of the organisation's future growth
Low
This could include:
- is only comfortable with known methods of working
- does not cope well with change or new situation; is inflexible in mind-set and actions
- does not see it as their job to have ideas
- unwillingness to adopt new ideas and approaches; does not see the value of improvements
In addition for managers:
- buries head in sand, dismisses change initiatives without consideration
- resists and, or implements new approaches that are ineffective or unreasonable
- blocks new ideas from others by not being receptive, sharing information and, or exploring opportunities
Expected
This could include:
- constructively challenges the status quo by reviewing and questioning work in own area
- understands need for change; demonstrates flexibility in day to day work; adopts a flexible mind-set
- keeps up to date with new developments and suggests new ideas
- uses resources and thinks creatively to identify new solutions
In addition for managers:
- delivers change to successful outcomes, recognising obstacles to change and helping others to adapt to change
- implements new approaches that prove to be effective
- integrates input and ideas from different sources to share information and, or explore opportunities
High
This could include:
- constantly seeks opportunities for improvement to processes and procedures
- embraces change, encourages colleagues; recognises and deals with the obstacles to change
- looks ahead; sees the bigger picture; keeps self up to date with developments in own area and shares that knowledge
- consistently creates innovative approaches and new opportunities and acts on these
In addition for managers:
- creates innovation and supports new opportunities
- able to support and encourage innovative approaches
- actively encourages new ideas and motivates others to be proactive, resourceful