Hi all
I have a new job - where my role is to coordinate the collaboration of a
number of independent but connected agencies - they share a common
concern but are geographically distinct. But they (and the public they
serve) would greatly benefit from closer working between them - either
by creating new joint functions or harmonising their existing
operations. This can and will increase effectiveness and efficiency.
At the moment - I have no team as such beyond a very capable PA and a
chap who has been allocated to me - on a temporary basis. I am three
weeks into this new role. I see my role as helping to create the
conditions into which these sovereign agencies (with some very forceful
people at their helm) feel able and trustful enough so that they cede
some of their autonomy and establish some new (arms length) business
units. To date (before my arrival) - a number of business cases had been
produced for taking this strategy forward.
My dilemma is this (and your perspectives would be helpful): I am
getting pressure from one (and one other) of the more 'pushy' agencies
to recruit and establish a programme management team that would (in
effect) wrest control of these embryonic collaboration projects away
from the agencies themselves and place it under the mantle of the
regional programme team. The argument being that only with this level of
'support' and 'drive' would the projects come to fruition. My OD bones
are telling me otherwise - as I think I want to keep the space open -
and have the ownership of the projects resting very firmly with the
agencies themselves - in other words I think they have to own their own
collaboration initiatives (not the central / regional team).
So am I wrong to sticking with my OD intuition?
If not - what should be my arguments for going for a more facilitative /
hands off and slimmer team - that works in an open and OD way? (We have
a critical meeting next week - and I fear there will be attempts to
bounce me into the more directive programme team model - before I have
had the chance to test the water some more - as the other agencies may
also be thinking the same....)
It's is a bit complex I know - and I know I have also talked in some
oblique code for the sake of confidentiality (I am afraid) - but your
insights would be valuable. I can't think of a bunch of wiser kindred
people than you lot on the OST listserv - who might be able to offer me
some helpful / cogent / challenging advice...
In advance - thanks.
Jon
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