The balcony and the dancefloor: relational leadership with Geeta Subramaniam-Mooney

Can you actually lead a complex system if you never leave the boardroom?In this episode, Joe sits down with Geeta Subramaniam-Mooney, Director for Environment and Climate Change at Hackney Council.Geeta is local government through and through. With more than 25 years in the public sector, she has an eclectic mix of experience, areas she has delivered within and been responsible. From directly working with children at risk and criminal justice services experienced children to cross corporate and partnership services. She knits together people and place-based services. In her current role she is responsible for environmental services, streetscene, public realm, safety and climate change.In this conversation, Geeta speaks honestly about what leadership really looks like in complex systems. It’s not about having all the answers, or being the technical expert in the room. It’s about humility, asking the right questions, building trust, and staying close to the communities you serve. Her message is quietly powerful: lasting change happens through relationships. Through genuine participation. And through leaders who are willing to take the less trodden path - even when it feels slower or harder.What you’ll take away from this episode: Why leadership is about breadth - the balcony as well as being close to the dancefloorThe role sponsorship plays in supporting others in their journeysWhat local government taught us during COVID about speed, adaptability and courageWhat meaningful co-production with communities really requiresWhy creativity, play and humour can unlock better solutionsWhy relationships matter more than frameworks, tools or methodsGeeta also reflects on resilience, both personal and organisational, and why supporting people through emotionally demanding work is essential. Supporting staff enables everyone to be valued and able to bring their best selves to their roles, and build public services that are sustainable now and into the future. If you care about social justice, community and organisational resilience, and leadership grounded in humanity rather than hierarchy, this conversation is worth your time.Stay connected:Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/joseph-badmanRead the latest chapters from our upcoming book: https://relationalservicedesign.comMaster the methodology: https://basistraining.co.uk/Partner with us: https://basis.co.uk