The irreconcilable tensions of public leadership
If you work in the public sector, embrace the frustration. The system is working exactly as designed.
Make better decisions
Whether you're responsible for a team, family, or community, the pressure is high. The future is uncertain and there's more complexity than ever. Thankfully, decision-making is a process and a learned skill, not a god-given gift. I'll help you move through the fog.
How to lead in the Subjective Era
The Subjective Era will reward leaders and organisations who optimise for two things: trust and human agency.
Are you busy - or burdened?
If you're collapsing under the weight of things, this one is for you.
Can philosophy AI-proof your career?
The future of leadership is context - understanding the broader implications of the work you do and the role you play in the world.
Identity
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The tension is the engine
Why unresolved conflict may be the thing that keeps a life alive.
Stop trying to agree with everyone
What Councils have taught me about making decisions under pressure.
NSW local government professionals become Strategic Public Leaders in Sydney
Local government managers from across NSW came together for two days of strategic leadership training with Alicia McKay - in partnership with LGPro NSW.
When decisions SUC(k)
When the stakes are high and messy, building a good process is the only way through.
Local government is back in the firing line
They don't want reform, they want rates-capping. This is a bad idea, but it will play well in the 2026 election.
Prepare for disaster
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. When have things ever gone exactly as you planned?
Keep the dream alive
Plans are predictions about how we think we could achieve our goals. They’re a hypothesis, an experiment ready to be run.
Start with strategy
Our hopes, dreams, and plans live in an unpredictable future. We can’t read tomorrow’s headlines, but we can position ourselves to achieve our goals.
Strategy
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Why strategy is a survival skill this year
Winging it is a death wish. If you don’t know what you want, the next 10 months are going to swallow you whole. Never fear: strategy will save you.
How to be popular with voters and achieve nothing
Hint: its being a rock-throwing jerk.
In defence of the bureaucrat
Spare a thought for your local public servant. Taking the boot out of the public sector, volume 3
The difference between private and public value
Your retort to "you'd never run a business like this!". Taking the boot out of the public sector volume 2.
Public service isn't inefficient, it's complex - there's a difference
Let's shatter the myth that the private sector would do government projects faster or cheaper: they don't.
Strategy
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How to be more strategic
Strategists make their decisions with intention. Goal-oriented choices, made consistently, even under pressure, will deliver you almost anything you want.
Tippity tap, send
If you spend all your time on the detail, the big picture suffers. It's time to get out of the operational weeds and focus onstrategic leadership.
10 ways to take control of your life
You can take charge of your life by tackling these ten things.
Success hack: the right people
The company you keep matters. Target your networking to people who will help you grow.
Strategy
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A strategic choice a day keeps the existential dread at bay
Strategy is something you do, not something you have. Make goal-oriented decisions once a day and rise to your strategic potential.
Strategy
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How to run an 8 week strategy check-in
Here's some ideas for how to run exciting and engaging strategy away days that will keep people on track and keep your big picture plan moving forward.
Make the minimum viable decision
All good decision processes include action.
Eiffel Tower leadership
Eiffel Tower leadership is bold, innovative and willing to endure short-term pushback for long-term gain.
Strategy
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Connect, don't control: turning strategy into action
Strategy implementation is difficult: we get stuck on details, work in silos, go too slow and are scared of our own decisions. Here's what to do instead.
Push out your payoff
Learn to shift your focus to longer-term outcomes for greater impact.
Strategy
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Why your strategy is failing and how to fix it
Most strategies experience a failure to choose, align, communication or embed. Here's how good strategy works and how to save yours from the brink.
Strategy
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Go off plan but stay on strategy
Priorities are being tested - how can you use this as an opportunity?
Risk
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How to do scary things
There is only one thing separating scared people, and people who know how to do scary thing: action. Action converts imagination into reality.
The paradox of public leadership (or: just give them the damn picnic table)
Are you putting the wrong thing first and letting bureaucracy stand in the way of public outcomes?
Podcasts
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Life Lessons podcast with Alistair Burton
Making strategy simple, getting shit done and cutting through the crap
Strategy
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Strategy: not your job?
Ever heard of Not My Job (NMJ) syndrome? Making strategy meaningful and delivering on change is all about everyday decisions and actions.
How to ask bigger questions
Most people ask small questions, so they make small-time progress. Learn to ask big questions for bolder choices and better results.
3 myths about decisions that need busting
There is no right decision. Discover a fresh perspective on making good, long-term decisions and shaping a better future.
Good decision-making
Make better decisions by focusing on process, not outcomes. Don't get it right; make it right.
Focus
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How to get on top of your stupidly long list
Learn a handy 7-step system to beating overwhelm and focus your time and energy - free video and workbook.
Strategy
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What strategic planning is about (and not about)
Strategic planning is not about predicting the future. It's about getting clear on medium-term decision criteria, so we make good choices when they arise.
Strategy
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Strategy 101: what strategy really is
Strategy is how we choose to achieve our goals. It is made of three bits: why, how, and what.
How to learn from your mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when they’re doing something worthwhile. It’s what you do next that counts. Here's how to learn from your mistakes.
Strategy
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Most things can be undone
Life is full of tricky decisions. If you make them small enough, you can pivot as you go.
What to do before you quit your job to start a business
Before you quit your job you should know your reasons, know your numbers, and keep your connections.
Strategy
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Take big bets on a vague long game
Life's not chess. Do risky stuff with lots of potential if you want a more interesting life.
Strategy
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8 things people get wrong about strategy
Here's 8 myths about strategy - and how to do better.
Make peace with problems
How to make peace with problems - because we always have them.
Strategy
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Master the world’s most valuable skill
The world's most valuable skill is decision-making. Here's three frameworks to help you master it in record time.
Serve the room: questions to ask for leadership success
Level up the questions you ask to make connections, drive progress and show true leadership.
Work
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5 career mistakes everyone (from junior to executive) should avoid
Avoid these five career mistakes for a more fulfilling and meaningful career.
Use your internal compass to make tricky decisions
Here's a handy trick you can use to makes hard decisions a bit easier - and it won't cost you a thing.
Strategy
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Bright spot thinking
Business planning in a recession asks for bright spot thinking. Work backwards from the things that are working instead of focusing on problems.
Work towards the grain
When you work towards the grain, you generate incredible results and find endless reserves of energy and creativity. When you work against it, you suffer in silence.
Strategy
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Don't be afraid to narrow down
The planning paradox - the more specific you are, the more your opportunities expand.
Lead teams with better planning: hit a sustainable pace
Leaders set the tone when it comes to planning and time management. When leading teams, your example is much more powerful than your words.
Strategy
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Strategists get whatever they want
You can have literally anything you want - and it's astonishingly easy to do it. Learn the strategist secret.
Do you want to be CEO?
If you're wondering how to become a CEO, think about the outcome you want - not just the achievement.
Greater Wellington Regional Council: Strategic Public Leaders
Over 100 Greater Wellington Regional Council managers have enjoyed Strategic Public Leaders training with Alicia McKay.
Risk
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Beyond busy: ask scary questions
We're all so busy - but what are we masking with those choices? Go beyond busy and ask yourself some scary questions.
Strategy
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3 strategic thinking skills that get you what you want
Achieve more of your goals and get more of what you want with these 3 strategic thinking skills.
Strategy
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How to stick to your strategy throughout the year
Learn 5 easy tips to help you stick to your strategy throughout the year, even when you're busy and overwhelmed.
Strategy
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5 things you should know about clarity
Clarity is not the opposite of confusion - it's on the other side. Here's 5 important things you should know about clarity.
Leadership is contagious: bring the right energy
Your vibes have more power than you realise - why your leadership is contagious.
How I stopped scoffing at "leadership" 🙄 and became slightly less of a jerk
Leadership is a buzzword that's all the rage. But what does it really mean? In this article, we define leadership for the real world.
Strategy
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How to be a strategist: 3 things to do today
Strategy is simple. To be a strategist, there are three easy things you can do to fully embrace your strategic side.
My top leadership reads
The best leadership books for the modern leader, vetted by Alicia McKay.
Strategy
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15 signs of a strategist
Are you a strategist? Find out the 15 tell-tale signs and strategic skills that indicate you are a strategist in the making.
Intangible assets: create business value that lasts
New research suggests from now on, business growth will be driven by data, brand, reputation, strategy and content.
Do, then decide: clarity comes from moving forward
All good decision processes include action
How to lead when you're worried
We live in worrying times. Learn how to lead well when you’re worried.
The Dynamic Leader podcast wth Shelley Flett
Leadership without the bullshit - a conversation with Alicia McKay
Why business education needs to change
The Business Woman Media feature
Demystifying the leadership skills of the future
Leaderonomics feature
The 5 most important (untaught) leadership skills
These are the five most important leadership skills you need to get ahead - and we probably won't teach them to you.
Meetings that matter feature in CEO World magazine
Meetings that matter: how to lead conversations that drive action outside the room - CEOWORLD magazineA year ago, James was fizzing
Balancing the Grind with Alicia McKay, Founder of Not An MBA
Balance the Grind feature
Flexible leadership in COVID with Alicia McKay
Sky News Australia: Weekend Edition
The future of work: why we're setting ourselves up to fail
IIDM Global feature
How a turbulent early life made me a great entrepreneur
Women's Agenda feature
Turbulent leadership: feature in Bitbean
To lead through complexity, we need to be OK with change.
How to lead change when people don’t care
Lead change so that people care. Build buy in and commitment to your change project with these tips.
Author Alicia Mckay: Five things you need to be a highly effective leader in turbulent times
Authority Magazine article with Charlie Katz
Values-based leadership: Practice what you preach
This week, we talk about living your values. Spoiler alert: it's hard.
Identity
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Eight ways to kill stress for good
Most advice on stress and resilience is short-term and unhelpful. Inside: eight powerful strategies that show you how to reduce stress.
Identity
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Boundaries 101: The secret to personal and professional peace
When we set boundaries, we save ourselves and others.
Videos
The difference between the public and private sector
In this video, learn the differences between public and private sector operating models. Discover why getting things done in the public sector is slower and more complex than producing outcomes in private business.
Not An MBA Information Session 2023
In this information session, Alicia does a deep dive into the Not An MBA leadership program.
We F*@KIN Love Startups with Troy Hammond
Business, bourbon and burnouts
Strategic Public Leaders Masterclass in Canberra, Australia
Alicia ran a sold-out masterclass for Mayors and Chief Executives at the ALGA National General Assembly in 2022. Watch the recording.
SKY TV Interview: Post pandemic leadership skills
Alicia McKay appears on Sky News to discuss flexibility and leadership skills post-COVID.
The AM show interview: Missing leadership skills
The AM Show with Duncan Garner
Podcasts
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What's On Your Mind?
Catch up on episodes of What's On Your Mind? with Alicia McKay and Digby Scott
Unleash the strategist within webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to bring strategic skills to your life and work.
Play the long game webinar
In this webinar, Alicia shares skills for playing a longer game
Videos
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Auckland District Health Board, Online, September 2020
Alicia McKay spoke to the ADHB change manager community of practice online - watch a video excerpt inside!
Strategy
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Strategy International Episode 1: Alicia McKay and Dr. Max McKeown
In 2020, Alicia McKay and UK-based strategy expert Max McKeown joined forces to talk strategy, live on LinkedIn.
Webinars
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Dialling into opportunity webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to accelerate progress in uncertainty
Aligned leadership teams webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to align your leadership team
Leaders as strategists webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about strategic leadership.
Strategic risk webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to use strategic risk to make better, faster decisions
Resources
The difference between the public and private sector
In this video, learn the differences between public and private sector operating models. Discover why getting things done in the public sector is slower and more complex than producing outcomes in private business.
Two day strategy session template
A strategy session template for leadership away days - two days, every eight weeks.
Not An MBA Information Session 2023
In this information session, Alicia does a deep dive into the Not An MBA leadership program.
Play the long game resource pack
Download your guide to playing a longer game
Podcasts
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What's On Your Mind?
Catch up on episodes of What's On Your Mind? with Alicia McKay and Digby Scott
Unleash the strategist within webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to bring strategic skills to your life and work.
Play the long game webinar
In this webinar, Alicia shares skills for playing a longer game
Webinars
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Public service of the future webinar
In this webinar, Alicia McKay talks about the skills public servants will need in the future
Webinars
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Dialling into opportunity webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to accelerate progress in uncertainty
Aligned leadership teams webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to align your leadership team
Leaders as strategists webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about strategic leadership.
Strategic risk webinar
In this webinar, Alicia talks about how to use strategic risk to make better, faster decisions