Guest blog by Dr Charlie Hunter, Rector at Kemnay Academy

charlieAn opportunity for us to become a more outward-looking organisation? By Dr Charlie Hunter, Rector at Kemnay Academy

At the end of October I attended a Leadership Exchange event in the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen. Despite this programme being regularly supported by Council leaders, I was surprised to be the sole representative of my Service and of Aberdeenshire Council on this occasion.  This was the first such event that I had attended and I wondered what the barrier was that prevented more colleagues from accepting this interesting opportunity.  Was it that we are all balancing having to achieve so much more with fewer resources but at the same time trying to develop more broadly through opportunities such as this?

The Leadership Exchange programme pairs up leaders from across sectors with the aim of improving capacity, sharing knowledge and gaining an insight into different organisational cultures, constraints and opportunities.  At a time when joint management and partnership working are important parts of a national agenda that affects us all, I was reassured that the potential partners I met were having to undertake the same balancing acts as we are.

Even in that short event, I was fascinated by the similarities and differences in our leadership contexts.  I look forward to forming a partnership soon.  It will allow me to reflect on my leadership role and strategies, enhance my awareness of another’s challenges, planning and governance and give me a sounding board to explore new ways of working.  Meetings are flexible and run over a period of months.  The organisation, ACOSVO, will help you find a match that is mutually beneficial.

You can find out more through ACOSVO (acosvo.eventbrite.co.uk) or by contacting HR&OD. What are your thoughts?