Columba 1400 was invited to be alongside officials in Inverclyde to help foster a more unified, values-driven team culture across local services.
There was a recognised desire to deepen collaboration, strengthen relationships among colleagues, and build a supportive peer network rooted in trust. Alongside this, leaders and practitioners were looking for space to reflect on what courageous, values-led leadership looks like – and how it could shape more meaningful and responsive public service reform. Columba 1400’s distinctive approach offered an ideal opportunity to reconnect with core purpose and reimagine how change might start from within.
In early 2025, senior officials from Inverclyde Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), all working to address poverty and inequality in the area, stepped away from their daily routines and into a very different space: a Values-Based Leadership Experience (VBLE) with Columba 1400.
The experience is centred on people – leaders as humans first – coming together to reconnect with their values, each other, and their shared commitment to improving the lives of those they serve in Inverclyde.
“The experience could not have come at a better time. It was a transformative experience for me, and it fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose with leaders I hadn’t connected with previously…It was an invaluable opportunity for aspiring leaders to ignite their passion for social justice.”
A Space for Honesty, Reflection, and Growth
From the very first session, the tone was different. Participants described the experience as “safe,” “deeply reflective,” and “a privilege to be part of.” With hierarchy left at the door, senior leaders engaged in open conversations about their motivations, their challenges, and their hopes.
“This was not about techniques or tools but about developing leadership skills as individuals and people therefore it was more inclusive, and I felt it had a better impact. Everyone could contribute no matter their role within the organisation”.
Exercises like speed dating conversations and values walks prompted profound personal insights. Participants reflected on the type of leaders they are now – and the kind they aspire to be.
Emerging Themes: Courage, Compassion, Community
As the days unfolded, clear themes emerged. Participants repeatedly spoke about the need for cultural transformation – not just in policies, but in mindset and language. Words like love, hope, compassion, courage, ambition, and belonging came up again and again.
“The people of Inverclyde are so special. People go above and beyond. There’s something about them; you can almost touch it.”
There was honest recognition of the trauma that many residents live with – and the need to respond with empathy, not systems. Many leaders committed to helping shift Inverclyde from surviving to thriving, starting by building trust and listening differently.
The Turning Point: A Shared Vision for Inverclyde
A key moment came on the second day of the VBLE, when small groups created powerful “after photographs” of what they wanted Inverclyde to look like in the future. Their ideas were shared with the Council’s Chief Executive in an emotional presentation.
Their collective vision? A community that is empowered, resilient, and hopeful – where children thrive, support is accessible, and every resident is met with dignity and compassion.
Lasting Impact and Next Steps
The VBLE created a space for individual transformation and team cohesion. Participants spoke of a renewed sense of energy, confidence, and clarity of purpose.
“I have had what you could call a “lightbulb” moment around shared purpose and partnership working. The lightbulb was there but was perhaps set to dim. I feel rejuvenated.”
“The value we brought to each other as humans first and professionals second will continue to help relationships flourish and develop as we work to support our communities.”
“I am pro-actively engaging my teams in very different conversations now that require us all to move away from thinking about processes as solutions to bold creativity to do things differently.”
A New Kind of Leadership Culture
For Inverclyde, the VBLE has done more than strengthen leadership – it has laid the groundwork for a different kind of system. One built on trust, shared purpose, and the belief that transformational change begins with people.
“We’re planting something – we may not be here to see the end, but we’re building something.”