Local Government Leadership
Local government is one of the most complex leadership environments there is.
Leaders come from diverse backgrounds, bring strong views and personal mandates, and are required to make collective decisions in highly public, political and often high-pressure settings. The leadership task is rarely simple.
My work in local government focuses on strengthening the leadership culture of Councillor groups and executive teams — particularly in complex, high-pressure and, at times, hostile environments. I support leaders to operate with clarity, accountability, emotional intelligence and trust, even when conditions are challenging.
I design and facilitate governance and leadership interventions that are:
- Legislatively aligned, including compliance with the Local Government Act and mandatory and professional development requirements (including Mayor and Deputy Mayor mandatory training).
- Behaviourally grounded, addressing how leaders actually think, behave and interact under pressure.
- Practical, relational and outcomes-focused, not theoretical or generic.
- Tailored to the unique dynamics of each Council, recognising that no two Councillor groups or organisations are the same.
My approach blends:
- Lived experience as a current three-term Councillor and two-term Mayor.
- More than 30 years’ experience across leadership, governance and strategic communication, including in financial services and education.
- Board Director.
- Executive leadership experience.
- Deep governance expertise.
- Behavioural and leadership frameworks.
- Experience leading in highly scrutinised and politically complex environments.
- Expertise in facilitation, group dynamics and decision-making.
A specialist focus on leading effectively under pressure and in complex or hostile environments. The result is not just better meetings. It is stronger leadership behaviour, healthier relationships, greater trust, and more effective collective decision-making — enabling Councils to govern with confidence and integrity in service of their communities.