1x 3 hour live online course (via Zoom) with a professional trainer and a maximum group size of 16 people.
Overview
Understanding the political environment is essential for local government officers who work alongside elected members. This interactive course explores the subtle dynamics of political culture, power, and motivation in a local authority setting.
Participants will learn how to navigate political sensitivities, communicate effectively with councillors, and maintain professional integrity while supporting democratic decision-making. Through real-world examples, group discussion, and practical tools, delegates will build confidence in handling politically complex situations and develop skills to foster productive, respectful working relationships with elected members and political stakeholders.
This short, three hour course will help delegates understand the political environment and explore the subtle differences between working with different political figures and groups. It will also explore how to create a productive and mutually respectful working environment.
Who should attend?
This course is well suited to any officer or employee who potentially works directly with elected members or elected politicians.
Course Outline – Agenda
- Defining “political awareness” and understanding how it impacts your working environment.
- How to integrate political awareness within your day-to-day work.
- Understanding political culture.
- Understanding how the roles, motivations and perspectives may differ between elected councillors and officers.
- Understanding the motivations and attitude of opposition councillors.
- Understanding how politicians measure success.
- Understanding “individual power” and how it can be used positively and negatively.
- Speaking truth to power: how to challenge appropriately.
- Skills needed to demonstrate good political awareness.
- Models which can help us understand political awareness.
Learning Objectives (success criteria)
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:
- Explain the key differences between the roles, motivations, and perspectives of elected members and council officers, and how these impact working relationships.
- Demonstrate an understanding of political culture, individual power dynamics, and how to respond constructively to political behaviours in the workplace.
- Apply practical political awareness skills—such as tactful communication, situational judgement, and influence without authority—to maintain professionalism and support effective decision-making.
Bookings, Costs and Dates
If you have 6 or more people interested in this course – we would run it “on demand” – please email us at hello@lgtda.co.uk
Testimonials
“Fantastic and informative course which actually makes you think about the bigger picture as well as the immediate one. Foresight is a must. Thank you very much Richard. Excellent!”
A Anderson – Lambeth Council – March 2025
“Good and impactful dosage of training for building understanding on political power, influences
and effectively navigating barriers towards reaching clear outcomes.”L Kusimo – Lambeth Council – February 2025
“The training session was highly informative and insightful, facilitated by a knowledgeable trainer who effectively conveyed the information.”
G Bell – Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority – Dec 2024
“Excellent course addressing a misunderstood topic – the interaction was superb! You WILL benefit from this.”
T Butt – Lambeth Council – Sept 2023
“Very informative course, the session goes by very quickly as you are so immersed in the content. Would recommend to colleagues in local government.”
E Griffiths – Welsh Local Government Association – Jan 2022
