This presentation was part of a 2 hour workshop delivered to senior officers at Suffolk County Council to discuss and understand the implications of working in a political environment.

1. Bridget Harris Workshop for Officers Working in a political environment March 28 th 2011

2. - presentation and discussion - group work - wrap up Working in a political environment outline of workshop

3. Establishing the terms " We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all" [ Pericles: 431 BC]

4. "I'm not a political person. But I think it doesn't take much to understand that this is the frontline of us fighting against extremists where... all that we hold dear and all that we value is really on the line" ( Angelina Jolie 2010) "I'm not very political if I'm honest - I'm just a mother - whose marching for her children - for her children's future" (TUC March, Saturday 26th March 2011)

5. Read the local newspaper? Voted at the last local elections? Contributed to a local fundraising effort? XXX Are a member of a pressure group or charity? Volunteer on a governing body? X Know the name of your local councillor? X Have ever contacted your local councillor? X Have ever written in to the local paper? Do you...

6. What words describe politics? ?

7. What words describe politics? ?

8. Politics can be about everything or anything. Key features of what we mean: 1. Identifying resources 2. Decision making 3. Equality and fairness 4. Operability 5. Enforceability 6. Accountability

9. Politics in an organisation

10. Politics in an organisation 1.Personal skills

11. Politics in an organisation 2. Influencing people

12. Politics in an organisation 3. Reading people and situations

13. Politics in an organisation 4. Building alignment and alliances

14. Politics in an organisation 5. Strategic direction and scanning

15. Party politics Political parties account for over 95% of elected representatives

16. Why do we vote for political parties? ?

17. What are the advantages of voting for a party? - understand / share values? - transparent about policies? - more easy to hold to account? - attract good candidates? - traditional - no great alternative? - able to communicate both national and local messages? - more credible in representing the public?

18. Activism and campaigning Lobby groups, charities, membership organisations - Are causes political? Online campaigning organisations - Political or apolitical? Over 450,000 people serving on a public body - are they politically accountable?

19. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

20. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

21. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

22. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

23. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

25. Are politicians different to public managers and to the rest of the population?

26. yes!

27. Councillors are more likely to be: - extrovert than the general population - 'future-orientated' and see the big picture - hard headed about the business case for a decision, rather than other considerations

29. Myers Briggs (MBTI)

30. Thinking versus feeling ?

31. What makes the papers?

32. Are you going to talk about it?

33. Could it happen to me?

34. Cash, Celebrity, Conflict

35. group work

36. conclusions ?

37. Bridget Harris [email_address] March 28th 2011