2020 07 03 — Weeknotes
2.26 — July here already!
I have switched running from the evening to the morning this week and it appears to have given me a new motivation. I’d got stuck in a rut, hadn’t run for a week and started to feel a bit lazy. It has been really nice getting out before the day starts, sort of sets you up for it. Although Tuesday was hard work as it was the first run for a week or so and really had to drag myself round — managed to do it though and repeated a couple more times in the week.
We had another Hounslow leadership group meeting this week, which was really good. Can be a bit stressful at time in the run up and making sure that everything works as expected. We included a quiz this time as well just to add to my stress levels. But apart from some timing issues it all went really well. The quiz was a how well do you know Hounslow quiz, which was really interesting and we all learnt a lot from it that is for sure! Always have really good engagement and conversations in these meetings, probably more so than we did when we were having them face to face.
The theme of the meeting was recovery and Mandy, the Assistant Chief Executive went through the challenges that Hounslow has in terms of recovery. The borough is being greatly affected due to the reliance we have with Heathrow and the impact that that will have. Going to be very long lasting but the council is developing plans to reduce and minimise where it can. Really good to see digital plays a part in all these areas.
The only disappointing thing for me was that we had a breakout session where groups went off to discus some practical solutions to problems and were due to update a slide in the presentation and choose a picture that represented their discussion. A few of the groups were not able to get into the slide deck and make the changes and nobody chose a picture — now time was not on our side but made me realise that there is a lot of work to support colleagues in the skills needed in a digital era.
The final figure for our 19 Challenge was £425, which is excellent in only a couple of weeks. The challenge now is to try and maintain the momentum with the team as we continue to work at home and unlikely / no need for the majority of us to return to Hounslow House for the foreseeable future. I should say that throughout this we have maintained a presence at Hounslow House so that we have been able to sort issues / equipment and give out new equipment as well, which is greatly appreciated.
I read Rob Miller’s weeknotes this morning (always a good read!) and he raised a really important point around taking time out from work to ensure that you have a break. He also raised the point about taking a break in work as well, and one that is so true. The point he was making was that we are all so back to back with video calls that there is very little time to actually do any work! I have found myself falling into that trap over the past couple of weeks. Back to back meetings during the day then as 530 comes settling back in to do some work for a couple of hours. Last night I found myself at my desk until 2030 — and whilst it felt good that I had cleared things — it wasn’t right. A resolve to self to build in some time in the day to breath over the next couple of weeks. Thanks Rob…
Finished the week today with a team coaching session with an external coach. With all the changes that we are trying to do within Digital and IT and ensure that we are able to lead on some of the transformation across the Council, it is really important that we have a strong leadership team within Digital & IT — and I am lucky that I do — but we can be better. It is also really important to invest in the team, especially at these times. It was interesting on reflection today that we are a relatively new team. I have only been at the Council 9 months and 3 of them have been in lockdown! Certainly made me think… Was a really good discussion and lots of practical next steps coming out of it.
Tune of the Week: Gold — Spandau Ballet — https://youtu.be/ntG50eXbBtc
