Creating a quality street takes all sorts..

Paula Whylie
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

This week I’ve met a number of people who have at least one thing in common and that’s a real passion for doing what’s right for people living, working, accessing services, building communities etc.. within Greater Manchester aka GM. They do this because they truly believe that the magic lies already within our multiple and often complex systems, organisations and communities, I am one of those with the same belief and passion and I’m challenging myself just to step outside and reflect on what I’m seeing, feeling and doing.

Forrest Gump’s mamma shared an insightful gem with Forrest when she said “life is like a box of chocolates” we need variety and people provide that. The variety presents itself in many different guises, lived experience, experts, curators, leaders all mixed together and trying to do our best in the social age, recognising we are the system, we are the culture. Within all this there’s moments of joy and frustration. By the very nature of what we are trying to achieve (see www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk and www.leadinggm.org.uk to find out more) the amount of connections and activity can feel overwhelming and difficult to get your head around and that can lead to the positive intent getting lost. If we consider this alongside Tuckman’s model of the stages of group development ( forming, storming, norming, performing ) or to Elisabeth Kulber-Ross’s Change curve model it can help us make senses of what we are experiencing and accept that this is normal.

As we continue to shape the future of GM it may be helpful for us all to accept that no matter which chocolate you are, together:

  • We are all curious amateurs the suggestion of experts implies they have the answer – together we are exploring and creating the future
  • We have a responsibility to look out for each other along the way
  • Challenge from a place of stretching thinking is healthy and should be welcomed
  • We don’t have the answers yet
  • As new ways of working together in GM evolve it’s creating virtual teams and current organisational policies, practices etc.. will need to be removed, relaxed and evolve in tandem

At a #LeadingGM meeting earlier Frank O’Sullivan from Salford City Council described it perfectly when he said ‘if GM was a cake it would be a layer cake’ thinking of it this was allows us to accept that together the cakes a scrumptious creation, cut into it and you’ll see the variety and layers within.

So what do we need to do more of?

  • No need to bake the cake at the same time – lets starts with baking cupcakes and sharing recipes
  • Don’t be afraid to share your soggy bottoms – it helps others learn and takes away the pressure and illusion that everything needs to be perfect
  • Recognise that there’s some bloody good bakers out there who may use different recipes and that’s ok
  • Welcome others into our development kitchens – share our ovens!

The alternative is the passion and positive intent alive within GM will leave us all with a bad taste in our mouths.

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@Paula_Whylie Mum of 3 Mrs to 1 & friend to many, love laughing & supporting people #LeadingGM

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