The Language of Leadership: The Quiet Signals That Set Great Executives Apart​And how we listen for it in every recruitment process.​When recruiting senior executives or CEOs, councils naturally focus on track records, qualifications, and past roles. These things matter.But in the quiet work of executive search, there’s something else we listen for, something harder to measu...

In local government, setting effective Key Performance Indicators can be transformative, ensuring your team’s work is directly aligned with community goals and organisational priorities. KPIs are usually established as part of a performance plan, articulating the specific deliverables to be achieved in a year ahead. They need to be considered alongside the organisation’s val...

​Why the best candidates aren’t perfect - they’re clear, real, and self-aware.​We hear it all the time in recruitment: councils want to find “the unicorn” - that rare candidate who’s strategic and operational, inspiring and grounded, visionary and detailed.The problem? If you try too hard to be that unicorn in an interview, you risk looking like something else entirely: unre...

​It’s one of the smallest moments in any job interview - but it can say more than you think.You’re led into the room. Smiles, handshakes, introductions. You sit down, and then comes the quiet offer:“Can I get you a glass of water?”You pause. You wonder. Should you say yes? Is there a right answer?It sounds like such a small thing, but this moment actually reveals something ...

When specialist support makes the difference - and when you might be fine without it.​It’s a fair question.When your council needs to appoint a new CEO or senior executive, the instinct can be to wonder: Can we do this ourselves? And sometimes, if you have a strong internal candidate and absolute confidence in our process, the answer might be yes.But more often than not, the...

​Pause before your next application - the inner questions that matter more than the job title.In leadership careers, especially in local government, it can feel like you’re supposed to keep climbing. Next role. Bigger council. Higher title.But the truth is quieter than that: not every opportunity is the right opportunity. And not every move is the right move.Before you press...

​After attending the NGA 2025 conference in Canberra last week, I was reminded once again of the critical role that relationships play in building high-functioning local governments.  Many discussions focused on the need for adaptable, visionary leaders who can connect community need with organisational outcomes - BUT - without strong, trust-based relationships between Counc...

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: you’ve applied for the perfect job, aced the interview, and are eagerly awaiting the outcome. Then, you notice something unsettling, the role is back on the market. The listing has been reposted, and it feels like a setback. So, what does this mean for you? Should you panic, or is there still hope?At Leading Roles, we’ve seen this sit...

In the world of local government, managing performance is about more than just meeting key performance indicators. It’s about fostering growth, aligning individual contributions with organisational goals, and ensuring leaders are equipped to handle both current challenges and future demands.Increasingly, councils are turning to capability frameworks to guide performance mana...

You’ve aced your interview, shook hands (or clicked “End Call” if it was virtual), and now you’re waiting to hear back. The big question is: Should you follow up after an interview? Or does it risk looking too eager, or worse, desperate?At Leading Roles, we’ve seen both sides of the follow-up debate, and we’re here to set the record straight. A well-timed, thoughtful follow-...

​Interviews are a pivotal step in securing your next role, especially in the competitive landscape of local government. While preparing thoroughly can set you up for success, knowing what to avoid is equally important. Here are some of the most common interview mistakes—and how to ensure you don’t make them.1. Not Doing Your HomeworkFailing to research the organisation, its ...

​When an employer or recruiter scans your resume, they’re not just looking for qualifications and achievements, they’re also scanning for potential concerns that might give them pause. While some issues can be addressed with the right framing, it’s important to know what employers are most likely to notice and how to manage these red flags.Here are three of the most common n...

​High-performing teams are the driving force behind successful organisations, particularly in local government, where collaboration and efficiency directly impact community outcomes. But what defines a truly high-performing team? Beyond achieving goals, these teams foster a culture of trust, innovation, and accountability that inspires sustained success.Here are five key mar...

In the evolving world of local government leadership, the question isn’t so much about whether position descriptions (PDs) are outdated, but how they can be used as contemporary strategically aligned tools for business performance. At Leading Roles, we believe that PDs can be reframed as part of the organisation’s story, embodying vision, values, and purpose, showing how eac...

Workplace culture is the heartbeat of any organisation. It influences how teams collaborate, how decisions are made, and ultimately, how successful the organisation becomes. When a culture isn’t working, when it’s stifling performance or failing to engage employees—it’s time to take a proactive approach to evolve it into something better. But how do you move from a stagnant...

​In recent years, contracting has become an increasingly popular career option, even in sectors traditionally seen as more stable, like local government. However, despite its growing popularity, there are still a number of misconceptions about contracting that can hold candidates back from considering this flexible career path. If you're unsure about whether contracting is r...

Have you ever hesitated to apply for a job because you feared being labelled “overqualified”? It’s a term that can feel like both a compliment and a red flag. While being highly experienced and skilled is undeniably an asset, some candidates worry that employers might see it differently. So, what do hiring managers actually think when they see an application from someone wit...

​In today’s rapidly changing employment landscape, local governments face increasing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled professionals, particularly in critical roles that ensure the continuity of essential services. This issue is becoming more pronounced in regions where labour market forces and skill shortages make it difficult to secure and retain the necessary...

​In the competitive world of local government recruitment, finding the right leader isn’t just about filling a vacancy, it’s about securing someone who can navigate challenges, deliver on strategic goals, and inspire a team. Traditional hiring practices often focus heavily on qualifications and experience, but are these truly the best predictors of success?Increasingly, coun...

​In recent years, AI has emerged as a game-changer across industries, and recruitment is no exception. For recruitment companies, integrating AI tools and technologies isn’t just about streamlining processes, it’s about unlocking new possibilities to find, attract, and place top talent more effectively. Here's how AI is reshaping recruitment practices and what this means for...