While the 2019 election is now firmly behind us, the way that leaders are required to implement new Governmental policies is beginning to take shape. With that has come a potential need for a change in mindset in order to succeed in this new environment. One of the key features in the election campaign was the move from an austerity-based policy of cuts to one of increased spending and development. While this new abundance of funding may seem like a great opportunity to push through new ideas, it also brings with it a new set of challenges. While the enormous pressure around budgets and delivery has not gone away, the emphasis definitely appears to be changing.

We have been talking about this change in emphasis with a number of leaders as they look at alternative approaches to communication.

In a recent coaching conversation, a Chief Executive we have been working with talked about having read the Tao of Dialoguebook, as well as our Leading in High Stakeshandbook as part of one of our coaching programmes. He recognised that the new approach to Government spending means there is going to need to be a shift in him as a senior leader and in his organisation. Having a central Government with a mandate about making decisions and requiring things to change, he could see that he was in a position of telling and demanding from the workforce rather than engaging and inviting contributions about the future. In other words, he was realising he had been communicating in a very monologic way and wanted to shift into a more dialogic approach, looking at new possibilities and exploring things together.

You can read more about how dialogue can help leadership in our Tao of Dialoguebook available here.