Local Legends

Local Legends is a guide to strategic governance and leadership in local government for Councillors and Council managers.This book will support local government leaders who are:• caught in a reactive cycle of responding to daily problems and enquiries• overwhelmed by never-ending reports, tasks, meetings, and priorities• feeling defensive and frustrated in staff and Councillor interactions• discouraged by strategies, diagrams and vision statements on the walls and shelves that seem to drive no action or progress• struggling to build a sense of shared purpose, engagement and ownership with stakeholders and colleagues.In Local Legends, Alicia McKay explores the reasons for those challenges and presents three key strategic shifts Councils can make to move forward despite—and even because of—the uniquely tricky environment that is local government.Local Legends equips elected members and Council managers with tools and strategies to make better community decisions that will stand the test of time. Packed with valuable insights and practical advice, Local Legends is an indispensable resource for local government policymakers, practitioners, and politicians in Australia and New Zealand.

'Local Legends is a must-read for anyone in local government in Australia, New Zealand - or elsewhere for that matter. It offers evidence-based insight leading logically to a what-to-do-next opinion. A masterful work, engagingly written, by someone from local government who clearly wants to deliver better outcomes for Councils and residents. Congratulations Alicia, Local Legends is a book that will make a difference to the way people live. Any chance you could turn your mind to defence, inflation, and housing?' - Bernard Salt AM, Founder of the Demographics Group

'Local Legends is a masterclass in strategic leadership for local government. With sharp insights and practical advice, it shines a light on the often-underappreciated role of local councils and shows how they can drive social progress. Alicia's engaging style and real-world examples make complex concepts fun, accessible, and actionable. It's a must-read for anyone passionate about making a long-term impact and leaving a lasting legacy in their community.' - Paul Evans, Independent Director

'This book is a highly approachable and engaging touchstone for local government managers (appointed and elected) that is subtly but profoundly grounded in local public administration thinking (public value creation, strategic management, decision-making theory, organisational design) informed by years of experience. Local government managers will find it reassuring, revelatory and - most importantly - useful for continually improving their practice across the range of skills required for being a successful local government leader.' - Dr Bligh Grant, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney

'Never before have I read anything that so perfectly articulates how hard and rewarding local government can be! Local government demands resilience in the face of challenges and rewards with the profound joy of seeing a community thrive. For those who seek to understand and contribute to this vital sphere, Local Legends offers a comprehensive playbook that balances the difficulties with the undeniable rewards of public service.' - Clinton Jury, CEO, Local Government Association of South Australia

'Local Legends is an insightful look under the lid of local government. Meticulously well researched, this book combines Alicia's passion for local government with her first-hand experience inside the tent. This backdrop, coupled with years of supporting local authorities and executives finding their way through the endless complexities this sector struggles with, provides anyone with more than a passing interest in the machinery behind local communities something to think about - there is some real wisdom found within these pages. This "how-to guide" for those in the sector should not go unnoticed.' - Dr Haydn Read, Te Hēteri, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui; Visiting Scholar, University of Ottawa

Alicia McKay is a strategy and leadership expert, speaker, and author, specialising in local government. Alicia is the author of two best-selling books on strategy and leadership: ‘From Strategy to Action: A Guide to Getting Shit Done in the Public Sector’ and ‘You Don’t Need An MBA: Leadership Lessons that Cut Through the Crap’. Alicia has worked with thousands of leaders through in-house, online, and public training workshops. With her wit, wisdom, and no-nonsense approach, Alicia delivers more than theory. Equal parts pragmatic and inspiring, Alicia will equip you with the cut-through skills you need to level up your impact as a public leader. Learn more about Alicia at

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