You Don’t Need to Conform to Make a Difference

Letting go of validation and embracing your unique leadership style in local government

In the world of local government, where hierarchy, tradition, and process often dominate, it’s easy to feel like you need to fit a certain mould to be taken seriously. Whether you’re an officer navigating internal politics or a councillor finding your voice, the pressure to conform to speak the same way, think the same way, and act the same way can be overwhelming.

There’s often an unspoken expectation to “play the game”: to mirror the language of senior leaders, to adopt the tone of seasoned professionals, and to avoid standing out too much. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be the same as everyone else to be effective. In fact, your difference might be your greatest strength.

The Quiet Weight of Validation

Validation is a powerful force. Many of us, especially early in our careers or when stepping into new roles, seek it whether consciously or not. We look for approval from senior leaders, peers, or even the public. We want to be seen as credible, competent, and “one of us.”

But the need for validation can become a trap. It can lead to self-censorship, second-guessing, and a reluctance to challenge the status quo. Over time, it can erode confidence and stifle innovation. You start to question whether your ideas are “too different” or whether your approach will be misunderstood.

“You don’t need to wait for permission to lead. You just need to start.”

Letting go of the need for constant approval doesn’t mean ignoring feedback or refusing collaboration it means trusting your instincts, valuing your perspective, and recognising that leadership doesn’t always look the same.

Why Conformity Isn’t the Goal

Local government is facing complex, systemic challenges from rising demand and shrinking budgets to climate resilience, housing pressures, and social inequality. These challenges won’t be solved by doing more of the same. They require new thinking, fresh energy, and people who are willing to ask difficult questions. Conformity might feel safe, but it rarely leads to transformation. The most impactful leaders are often those who bring a different lens whether shaped by lived experience, professional background, or simply a different way of seeing the world.

“The sector doesn’t need more of the same it needs more of you.”

When you bring your whole self to the table your values, your voice, your vision you create space for others to do the same. That’s how cultures shift. That’s how systems evolve.

Coping Strategies: Thriving Without Fitting In

How to stay grounded, confident, and effective when you feel like you don’t quite fit the mould

In local government, it’s not uncommon to feel like an outsider especially if your approach, background, or way of thinking doesn’t mirror the dominant culture. Whether you’re a policy officer with a creative streak, a councillor with lived experience that challenges convention, or a manager who prefers collaboration over command, the sense of “not quite fitting in” can be isolating. But difference isn’t a weakness it’s a resource. And thriving without fitting in is not only possible, it’s often where the most meaningful change begins. Here are some strategies to help you navigate that space with confidence and clarity:

1. Reconnect with Your Purpose

When external validation is scarce, your internal compass becomes even more important. Take time to reflect on why you chose public service in the first place. What motivates you? What kind of change do you want to be part of? Write it down. Revisit it often. Purpose is a powerful anchor it reminds you that your work matters, even when recognition is slow or resistance is high.

“Purpose doesn’t just guide your actions it protects your energy.”

2. Find Your People

You don’t need universal approval but you do need connection. Seek out colleagues, mentors, or peers who value your perspective, even if they don’t always agree with it. These relationships can offer encouragement, challenge your thinking, and help you stay resilient. Look beyond your immediate team. Join cross-departmental groups, professional networks, or informal communities where difference is welcomed and curiosity is encouraged.

“Belonging isn’t about fitting in it’s about being accepted as you are.”

3. Practise Self-Validation

Waiting for others to recognise your contribution can be exhausting. Instead, build the habit of recognising it yourself. Celebrate your wins no matter how small. Reflect on the risks you’ve taken, the values you’ve upheld, and the progress you’ve made. Keep a journal, start a “done” list, or simply take five minutes at the end of each week to acknowledge what went well. Self-validation builds confidence and helps you stay focused on what truly matters.

“You don’t need applause to know you’re doing meaningful work.”

4. Use Difference as a Strength

Your unique perspective is not a liability it’s an asset. If you think differently, speak differently, or come from a different background, lean into it. Use it to ask better questions, connect with underrepresented communities, or challenge assumptions that others might overlook. Difference allows you to see gaps, spot opportunities, and bring fresh energy to tired systems. Own it. Use it. Share it.

“The sector doesn’t need more of the same it needs more of you.”

5. Set Boundaries Around Feedback

Feedback is essential but not all feedback is equal. Learn to distinguish between constructive input and noise. Seek feedback from people who understand your goals, values, and context not just those who want you to conform. If feedback feels personal, vague, or dismissive, pause before internalising it. Ask yourself: Is this helping me grow, or is it trying to make me smaller?

“Feedback should sharpen your thinking not dull your spirit.”

6. Lead by Example

Leadership isn’t about titles it’s about influence. When you show up authentically, consistently, and with integrity, you create space for others to do the same. You model what it looks like to lead with courage, even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you’re leading a team, a project, or a conversation, your example matters. It signals that difference is welcome, and that leadership can take many forms.

“Authenticity isn’t a style it’s a strategy.”

7. Reflect, Don’t Retreat

Feeling out of place can be painful but it can also be powerful. When discomfort arises, take time to reflect. Ask yourself: Is this a sign I’m growing, or a signal I’m compromising too much? Use that insight to recalibrate. Sometimes the answer is to adapt. Sometimes it’s to push back. And sometimes, it’s to move on. But always, it’s to stay true to yourself.

“Discomfort isn’t always a warning it’s often a doorway.”

Thriving without fitting in isn’t about defiance it’s about alignment. It’s about aligning your work with your values, your voice with your vision, and your leadership with your lived experience. So if you feel different good. That difference might be exactly what your team, your council, or your community needs.

A Sector That Needs You Not a Copy of Someone Else

Why your authenticity is your greatest asset in local government

Local government is not what it used to be and that’s a good thing. The sector is evolving, and with that evolution comes a growing recognition that the challenges we face today cannot be solved by yesterday’s thinking. We need more than policy expertise and procedural knowledge. We need people who are bold, curious, and unafraid to challenge the way things have always been done.We need people who can connect across boundaries between departments, sectors, and communities. People who can think systemically, act strategically, and lead with empathy. People who bring not just skills, but perspective. Not just experience, but imagination.

“Confidence looks like saying, ‘I’ve seen enough evidence to go further and faster.’”

This kind of leadership doesn’t require you to be the loudest voice in the room. It doesn’t require you to dress a certain way, speak in a particular tone, or come from a specific background. It requires something far more powerful: clarity of values, commitment to purpose, and the courage to act.

You Don’t Need to Fit the Mould to Shape the Future

There’s often an unspoken pressure in public service to conform to blend in, to follow the script, to avoid standing out. But the truth is, the sector doesn’t need more of the same. It needs more of you. Your lived experience, your way of thinking, your questions, your instincts they all bring something valuable to the table. Especially in a time when trust in institutions is fragile and communities are demanding more inclusive, responsive leadership. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to show up, speak up, and stay true to what matters.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Being Yourself

If you’re feeling like you don’t quite fit in, that might not be a weakness it might be a sign that you’re exactly where you need to be. Because the people who feel out of place are often the ones who see what others miss. They’re the ones who ask the awkward questions, challenge the assumptions, and push the conversation forward.

So take up space. Share the idea that feels a bit too bold. Offer the perspective that no one else has voiced. Because the future of local government will not be shaped by those who play it safe it will be shaped by those who dare to be different. Be the leader you needed when you started. Be the colleague who makes space for others to be themselves. Be the version of yourself that doesn’t shrink to fit in but grows to stand out. The sector is ready. The moment is here. And you are more than enough.