The Council as a Nervous System: Why Good People Can Behave Badly

People often join councils because they care about their community. But good intentions can get lost when pressure, mistrust and difficult relationships take over.

This talk explores councils as nervous systems, looking at how stress shapes behaviour and spreads through an organisation. Becky’s Robin Hood theory explains why people see themselves as the hero while casting the council, or each other, as the villain.

We’ll explore how to interrupt these patterns, build psychological safety and help people work together again. We’ll also look at how a healthier culture strengthens your council’s reputation and attracts councillors and employees who want to contribute constructively.