COMMUNITY MATTERS

"Devote yourself to loving others,

devote yourself to your community around you,

and devote yourself to creating something 

that gives you purpose and meaning."

Morrie Schwarz

We are not going to tackle the real issues facing us in this country by doing more of the same and at times like this I often ask myself what are we trying to achieve? What is our vision for our schools, our libraries, our hospitals, our care homes, our public services? How do we continue to build brilliant organisations, in brilliant places to serve brilliant communities? What is the trick to releasing the magic and unlocking the potential of each and every child, of each and every colleague and of every family and every community to be their brilliant best? Of course, I understand people's impatience with failing services but I have my doubts about the easy answers It’s the quality of what goes on in organisations that matters and everything points to the fact that people are the key to success. Evidence suggests that big improvements are possible provided we focus vigorously on the things that make a difference. This isn't intended as an excuse because the critics are right, satisfactory will never be good enough and we must constantly strive for answers to the poor services that we have put up with for so long. We need to build world class organisations with world class standards.

I have worked for over forty years trying to answer these challenges and those of us who have spent our lives at the front line know the real answers lie where they have always been...

• strong, disciplined, focused and passionate leadership;
• clear, shared vision, values and beliefs;
• talented, energetic, enthusiastic and creative teams;
• empowered, trusted and disciplined colleagues;
• powerful, stimulating and interesting environments;
• high self-esteem and high expectations of everyone;
• strong, dynamic and meaningful coaching relationships;
• high engagement and involvement of customers;
• positive engagement and involvement of the communities we serve.

We need to be determined, persistent and focused even if it is hard.… whatever it takes!