As HR and OD professionals, we know how important effective, consistent and visible leadership is to the overall success of our organisations. There are plenty of theories and research on different models of leadership. Arguably they all have their place.

1. Rotherham –
The Leadership Challenge & Response
Shokat Lal
Assistant Chief Executive

2. The Leadership Landscape
• Failure is more exposed than it has ever been
• Public sector organisations need to be more fluid
and supportive
• Hierarchical power is giving way to networked
authority
• The impact of austerity on leadership development
and skills
• Career ladders being replaced by ‘tours of duty’
(portfolio careers)
• A VUCA world….and then some!

3. The Rotherham Story

4. The Rotherham context

5. The Jay Report

11. The Commissioners

15. Leading in a VUCA World
• Retain a clear vision but with an agility to flex
• Provide clear direction and consistent messaging
• Capitalise on complexity
• Look out – look across boundaries, it can no longer
be about standing behind walls and defending
organisational self interest.
• Encourage networks rather than hierarchies
• Be curious – uncertain times bring opportunities
• We act courageously – we tackle the difficult issues

16. Leading in a VUCA World (2)
• Leverage diversity
• Get used to being uncomfortable
• Knowing when to be on the pitch and when to be in
the commentary box
• Cognitive readiness – leaders must be equipped with
the mental, emotional and interpersonal
preparedness for uncertainty and risk
• Know our communities
• Do the best work of our lives!

18. It’s a good thing to have all the
props pulled out from under us
occaisonally. It gives us some sense
of what is rock under our feet, and
what is sand.
Madeleine L’Engle

19. We can succeed only by concert. It is not
‘can any of us imagine better?’ but, ‘can we
all do better?’ The dogmas of the quiet past
are inadequate to the stormy present. The
occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we
must rise — with the occasion. As our case is
new, so we must think anew, and act anew.
We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we
shall save our country.
Abraham Lincoln,
Annual Message to Congress, Dec. 1, 1862

20. Thank You
Shokat.Lal@rotherham.gov.uk