It’s glorious glorious magnolia season – the trees are out in full and filling my walks with joy. I’m slowly returning to full strength in my wrist* and I’m about to take a couple of weeks off. What happened this week? I’ve spent quite a bit of time with our apprentices this week –…

It’s been quite the week. Lots of things that are ‘firsts’ either since pandemic or actually for the first time. So what happened this week? I spoke at an IRL conference for the first time in over two years. Very strange being in a conference room with over 400 people. At the conference I spoke…

This week was a lesson in not diving straight back in, making sure to rest my wrist and remember that it’s still healing. So what happened this week? The week started brilliantly with Loti x UPFRONT bond opening session. This is a group of 88 women from across London local government, and I’m so proud…

At the start of this year inspired by Brigette Metzler I thought about what my word for the year was: replenishing. I had a short week this week as I had a small op on my wrist yesterday eve. Fixing a problem that’s got worse over the last 12 months…

Or to be more accurate, laid low by Covid. Like so many others, and thankfully due to the vaccine, manageable. It still hit harder than I was expecting, forcing me to rest and recuperate. Consequently, these are very short weeknotes! So what happened this week? Mainly I cancelled and rearranged things. Nadia kindly lead my…

One of the things I’ve been thinking about this week is the art of managing conflict when it emerges* — by managing I mean tackling, discussing, resolving — not ignoring or minimising. It takes a lot of energy to lean into disagreement well, listen to someone else’s view properly, and…

This week felt like it had a better rhythm to it, a day in the office, fewer meetings overall and some focussed time. So what happened this week? I went to the council’s procurement and insourcing committee to present a contract award for approval. I didn’t do the work on the contract – Karim, Steve…

Or rather, learning (again) that diaries don’t organise themselves. For most of the week I managed my diary pretty well – creating space for thoughtful work as well as prioritising conversations that helped us move forward. On Wednesday I didn’t manage it well at all and consequently found myself in…

First weeknote of 2022. Inspired by Brigette Metzler I took some time over the break to think about what my word for the year is, the sentiment that’ll help guide choices/decisions I make. I think it’s replenish. I ended the year with an empty tank and I’m well aware I’m…