6
Most of the challenges of the future, from climate change to
economic renewal, can be met only through partnership and
collaboration. We can no longer afford to live in echo chambers,
talking - and listening - only to ourselves and those of like
mind. This means making ourselves open and vulnerable to
others, including those we disagree with, accepting and making
criticism, and being prepared to listen and learn, continuously and
inclusively. It is increasingly important that we find ways to do
our thinking together.
Listening is often the key to being trusted and valued as a partner.
We can no longer afford to operate in silos, hoarding our treasures
in the dark. Instead, we need to ensure no opportunity or
resource is wasted or overlooked as we strive to build sustainable,
prosperous futures.
The college leaders interviewed for this project demonstrate
how colleges can effectively - and creatively - lead across their
regions and localities. They also highlight the specific challenges
this emerging, and still untested, climate of cooperation poses
for leaders, from the distinctive perspectives of their local
geographies.
It is important to realise that the picture here is very uneven.
Not every college has been able to position itself at the heart of
local 'system thinking'; not everyone recognises the important
contribution colleges and other providers have to make here.
Equally, we should note that solutions must be adapted to local
environments. One size no longer fits all. The trick is to deepen
this very welcome shift to increased local devolution and
collaboration, while sharpening our own capacities (and those of
our partners) by sharing and debating good practice such as that
described here.
Dame Ruth Silver is President of the Further Education Trust for
Leadership