Why my perspective on Councils is different — and why it matters now more than ever
Discreet, tailored support for councils from a trusted advisor who’s been a Councillor, Mayor, Executive, and Leadership coach.
I’m often asked: What makes your approach different?
The short answer: I’ve lived the system from every side.
I’ve been a Councillor. I’ve been a two-term Mayor. I’ve been a Senior Council Officer and Executive. I’ve worked alongside CEOs, governance teams, People & Culture leaders, and Councillor groups navigating the most difficult seasons of their Council life.
I know what it’s like when trust breaks down, when teams fracture, and when culture issues aren’t quite formal — but still corrosive.
This 360-degree experience is rare. And it matters.
I understand the politics — and the peopleOne of the most challenging realities in local government is that you're often managing public-facing people issues in private. When things get difficult — misalignment between Councillors and staff, reluctance to have hard conversations, rising disengagement or tension in executive teams — Councils often can’t name the issue externally. It’s too sensitive. Too political. Too high stakes.
That’s where I come in.
Because I’ve been in the room, I bring immediate insight, empathy, and calm. I’m not shocked by dysfunction. I don’t need the full backstory to understand what’s really going on. And I never bring a cookie-cutter solution.
Why I prefer not to run large groups of multiple Council programsThere’s a place for shared learning between Councils — but not when the issues are sensitive, cultural, or rooted in team dynamics. Councillors and executives can’t open up when the room is full of external peers.
Honest reflection and meaningful change don’t happen in rooms where people are guarded.
That’s why I work one-on-one with each Council, team, or leader. Confidentially. Privately. With no judgement — just practical, grounded support that meets you where you’re at.
As I often say: no two Councils are the same, so my support never is either.
Discreet, bespoke, and built for your Council realityWhat I offer isn’t a program. It’s not a workbook. It’s a relationship of trust that allows us to work through the unsaid — the tension, the avoidance, the fatigue, the stuckness — and realign teams, conversations, and behaviour without making a public issue out of it.
I help:
• Councillor teams rebuild respect and cohesion
• People & Culture leaders resolve cultural drift before it becomes formal
• Executives better manage complexity, pressure and visibility
• Governance staff support Councillors while maintaining their own boundaries
You can explore more about my approach at www.shiftlife.com.au, or see my professional background at linkedin.com/in/darrinray.
Because you don’t need to carry this aloneThe role you play in Council is hard. You hold so much — pressure from above, complexity across, and responsibility below. And often, you’re holding it quietly.
You don’t need a 12-step program or a seminar. You need someone who understands your world, speaks your language, and can help shift the dynamic before it escalates — without the noise.
I offer that kind of support. Quietly. Effectively. With respect for the weight of what you’re carrying.
Let’s talk — confidentially, no obligationIf you’re navigating something complex — a Councillor issue, team challenge, or cultural shift that doesn’t have an easy label — I’d welcome a private, no-pressure conversation.
📧 Email me at [email protected]
📞 Or give me a call on 0413 334 523
No obligation. No sales pitch. Just someone who gets it.
