Pros
• Clear ambition to modernise services and improve outcomes
• Pockets of capable and committed staff across the organisation
• Opportunity to contribute ideas, although these are not always meaningfully acted upon
Cons
Entrenched resistance to change within established teams significantly limits progress
• Significant gap between stated strategic ambitions and operational reality
• Expectations for staff are often unclear, inconsistent, or subject to change without notice
• Lack of coherent leadership alignment, resulting in mixed messaging and shifting priorities
• Cultural and performance challenges are not consistently addressed at a senior level, with accountability often pushed downwards rather than owned collectively
• Unnecessary and restrictive gatekeeping around access, permissions, and decision-making slows delivery and creates dependency
• Ongoing influence from legacy structures and previous leadership blurs accountability and undermines role clarity
• Onboarding lacks structure and role-specific focus, with insufficient emphasis on enabling new starters to be effective quickly
• Limited visible accountability at senior leadership level, allowing issues to persist without resolution
• Decision-making lacks transparency, contributing to frustration and erosion of trust
• Change initiatives are introduced without sufficient support or sponsorship, reducing their likelihood of success