It’s a great honour to interview my Dad, Brian Barrett this week, a leader who I think has plenty of insight to offer.
This first part of the two-part interview, we cover off leading in an organisation you know will cease to exist – from which we can all take something away, including what NOT to do should you find yourself in that situation (actually, it has much a broader lesson).
In today’s episode we cover:
2:09 Why on earth would Dad do a podcast interview with me
3:45 The mechanics of mergers in NSW local government
5:56 First serious failure in communication (clean out your desk)
6:59 Preparing for merger, when you legally aren’t allowed to
10:50 Leading people through uncertainty
14:59 Government as ‘supply-chain’ leader (or not?)
19:56 Planning which missed the vital ingredient
20:18 “One of the worst pieces of implementation of public policy in 39 years” and the reply which will shock you
26:30 Stand up and say it, there will be plenty of others who are thinking it
28:58 Recruitment fail – not providing feedback to all candidates
Once you’ve listened to PART 1, head over and listen to PART 2 of this interview, when Dad really sinks his teeth into what good safety looks like to him.
Let’s get to know each other! Connect with Safety on Tap on LinkedIn, or me Andrew Barrett. If Facebook is more your thing, check out @safetyontap
If you want to get in touch with me, send me an email! andrew@safetyontap.com
Such an interesting interview Andrew. It is good to hear the story of the Council amalgamations from the perspective of the a General Manager. I look forward to part two.
Hi Helen, thanks! You are quite an artist I must say :-), having created a symbol of what great leadership is all about, thanks for that! The second part has been released, you can listen at safetyontap.com/ep019
Enjoyed part two hugely too Andrew I was pleased to hear Brian talk about what happened in the amalgamation. Also the link between leadership and safety and how Brian led on that. He genuinely made a place for every person to the leadership table, expected everyone to share responsibility for both a physically and psychologically safe workplace. And I enjoyed producing that painting! I wanted to give him something that captured his leadership and impact and I’m thrilled that it did that. We have a few more brushstrokes to do yet, I need him to sit for me to make a few changes and I’ll submit it to the Archibald, if it qualifies!
Wow, that’s lovely feedback! It is well worth an entry in the Archibald, I think it’s fantastic! And remember, sometimes the final few brushstrokes are the ones you don’t need to make…!