Ok, where do I start?! A question not only relating to navigating local systems, but also for me writing this blog.
It’s the first one I’ve ever written so please be forgiving if it’s a bit cringey (which, according to my 14-year-old daughter, would be the same as 99% of the things I say and do). Anyway, she’s not reading it, so I’ll crack on.
When Sport England first presented the idea of Navigating Local Systems (herein and forevermore referred to as NLS), it really seemed to fit with the increasing narrative around whole systems change within the physical activity and sport sector, and several others.
It built on conversations I’d had with lots of colleagues around the country (now my role models) as part of the Local Government Association and Sport England leadership programme (sidenote - do check out these types of opportunities or equivalent in your sector, I can fully recommend them if you’re seeking enlightenment).
The NLS work is one of Sport England’s test and learn approaches aiming to drive real change within a system. There is much agreement globally that this approach is absolutely going to help us make the systemic change we really need to tackle complex societal problems – with inactivity being one of those (she says, whilst being sedentary for over an hour now so taking a five-minute break to move).