Day 159 – 18 September 2014 I over-scored yesterday. Last night’s visit to the Teesdale Action Partnership put the seal on an already difficult day. I lost my composure and responded badly to some of the questions. I find it very hard to separate some of the things I do from who I am. I … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 159
A year of work in progress – day 158
Day 158 – 17 September 2014 Time wounds all heals, according to Groucho Marx and it is true that troubles ease as time goes by. It is certainly true for me of our ServCheck results. At first they seemed dire but now I’m much more positive and see them as an opportunity to improve. So … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 158
A year of work in progress – day 157
Day 157 – 16 September 2014 I’ve been in management for over thirty years. You would think that I would be quite good at it by now. It’s a cliché I know but learning to manage people is a journey, a one without end and that is what makes it so fascinating. You have to … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 157
A year of work in progress – day 156
Day 156 – 12 September 2014 Today we had an untitled training session (or should I say learning) with the Senior Leadership Team and the Senior Project Leads. It was untitled because we blended a couple of topics – building rapport and building potential. Steve started us off with a passionate introduction about why he … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 156
A year of work in progress – day 155
Day 155 –11 September 2014 I struggled to get started this morning. I don’t know if it was because I gave blood last night or the mist that hung in the air. Today is pregnant with history, is it really thirteen years since the attack on the twin towers? The world seems to be caught … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 155
A year of work in progress – day 154
Day 154 – 10 September 2014 BT had put on an event called ‘Powering Public Services’. Janet persuaded me to go but I was not that enthusiastic after yesterday’s disappointment. This was a much more intimate event with only a dozen of us, six from BT and six from the client side. The agenda was … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 154
A year of work in progress – day 153
Day 153 – 9 September 2014 The news is filled with talk of Scottish independence. The referendum is only a week away. The whole thing reminds me of the book ‘Nudge’ which told the reader that the answer you get can be influenced by the way that the question is asked. People can be nudged … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 153
A year of work in progress – day 149
Day 149 – 3 September 2014 Another day, another dollar and another chance to get back on the horse. I was still smarting after yesterday’s ServCheck and the traffic on the way in was a nightmare (collapsed gas main in Chester le Street) but today I tried to dust myself down and pick myself up … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 149
A year of work in progress – day 148
Day 148 – 2 September 2014 It is often said that the greatest assets of an organisation is its people. It’s an awful cliché but it is true. The best thing about the council is the great people who work there and the best thing about what I have been doing with the tier four … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 148
A year of work in progress – day 147
Day 147 – 1 September 2014 The seasons are changing. It was noticeably darker when I got up and it will soon be time to change into my winter wardrobe. Today I had another grand tour. I started in Spectrum, made my way to Meadowfield, turned back to County Hall and ended up in Chester-Le-Street. … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 147
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 