Pep Guardiola inspires management style of social worker

Role models. Most of us have one, and for many our role models are the people who we aspire to be like as we grow into the best version of ourselves.

Whoever they may be, they are the people who motivate and encourage us in life and for Oldham Council's Nick Booth, his role model is Manchester City's football manager, Pep Guardiola.

Seen as an inspiration to millions across the world with his managerial magic and achievements, Nick, who has recently been appointed as a Team Manager in Oldham's Children's Social Care Services, talks openly about wanting to be like Pep.

In fact, he admires him that much, Nick once referenced Pep in a footballing analogy he gave during an opening team meeting with his new colleagues.

"Pep is very good at what he does," Nick said.

"It's there for everyone to see. But at a deeper level, as a leader, he treats everybody with love and respect and his team repay that approach with their own performances.

"I'm not a Man City fan, but I really value what he does and that's what I told my team."

Nick, who actually supports Leeds United, recalls a few members of his team laughing at the analogy with one saying, 'Are you telling us you're Pep?'.

"No," he replied. "But if I could become my role model as a manager, that's who I would be without a doubt because that's how I aspire to manage.

"Pep is somebody who recognises he has got a good team, and he works very hard to get them over the line and he wants them to win trophies.

"If we all work together in that same fashion in my team and across the service, as far as I'm concerned, we will win lots of our own trophies in Oldham too."

Despite only being with the authority for a few months, Nick is now in the process of making his agency role as a Team Manager permanent with the council.

"As a Team Manager, I see myself as a very open manager who is very approachable and gives strong support to my colleagues.

"I give strong challenge too, but support and challenge go hand in hand because it's all about getting the right outcomes for the young people we work with, and my colleagues.

"Yes, we can have a laugh and enjoy warm conversations, but we can also have tough conversations and I am confident I can challenge my team on anything, and they won't take it personally.

"They take it with grace, and we always work together to change what we need to do and with that mentality, I'm confident we will go from being a 'Good' to an 'Outstanding' authority."

Oldham Council says that, as a local authority, they are always striving to recruit strong leaders who will deliver high performance – evidenced in their recent Ofsted inspection acknowledging a 'strong and stable leadership team' where the authority was rated 'Good' across all areas.

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Our children and young people deserve the very best care, and our team of dedicated social workers work incredibly hard to achieve this, as it has been highlighted in our recent Ofsted report.

"But behind our frontline, we have people who also work with and support our social workers to be the very best that they can be in their roles too, and this all builds into our commitment of supporting our residents to have the best start in life.

"As part of our new journey to becoming an 'Outstanding' Children's Services provider, we are looking for social workers who will strive for the best outcomes as leaders and people who will ensure the needs of our most vulnerable are at the forefront of everything we do.

"So, if you have that same attitude and drive, like Nick does with his personal aspirations, we would love to welcome you to our team of social workers here at Oldham Council."