{"id":7050466,"date":"2026-08-29T00:49:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T00:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/uncategorized\/one-big-thing-in-a-classy-city-stephen-drains-leadership-blog\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T00:49:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T00:49:03","slug":"one-big-thing-in-a-classy-city-stephen-drains-leadership-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=7050466","title":{"rendered":"One big thing (in a classy city) \u2013 Stephen Drain’s Leadership Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

When I travelled in my Fiat 125 from Christchurch to my new home in Dunedin as a newly minted Police Constable in the early 1980s, it was the beginning of life long affection for the Edinburgh of the south. Three of us new Constables got \u201cposted\u201d to Dunedin after a year as a police cadet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dunedin\u2019s historic Railway Station<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of my colleagues then is still one of my best friends (top 2 rating!) and we flatted for the first few weeks in his mother\u2019s house while she was visiting family in The Netherlands. Then it was boarding with Mrs Martin, who was a regular landlady for new police officers in the southern city. Only downside was the Saturday cook-up of tripe. But she understood nightshift and the need to sleep during the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bridge over the railway next to the historic Railway Station<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I walked up George Street on a crisp evening recently I stopped at 521 \u2013 a historic home<\/a> \u2013 where I rented a studio apartment from a local biology professor after Mrs Martin. The home was beautiful and he had divided it into charming apartments whilst keeping the structural design including an elegant ballroom, for common use (although it seemed too good to hang around in for some reason). It\u2019s looking a bit unloved and appears to still be in several flats.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
521 George Street<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next morning we spend half a day with a great group of leaders who we\u2019ve been working with for the last few months \u2013 developing a new and authentic leadership for the individuals and company. We\u2019ve had story-telling, 360s, a psychometric assessment, and lots of small group work and feedback. Today was about OBT \u2013 the one big thing<\/em> that the leaders have honed to the leadership development opportunity that is going to make the most difference. Something new to work on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Contemporary office building development by Ngai Tahu<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The former police station where I started working in 1982<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I walked past the old police station on my evening\u2019s walk \u00a0\u2013 now returned to its former glory as offices, I was struck by how fabulous the city looked. Clean, accessible, and stunning architecture, much of it restored. A new precinct in the main street George St \u2013 the retail quarter <\/a>\u2013 has a modern pedestrian and two wheeled zone. And grown up playground equipment. Love it!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Giant seesaw as part of the redeveloped George Street retail quarter<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of our leaders are focussing on bring the right attitude to work \u2013 bringing joy and positivity to a world that, right now, can feel pretty tough. Not in a \u201csmile and it will be all good\u201d way, but in an authentic and empowering way that builds trust and working together with care.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n

I sent some of my photos of the evening\u2019s walk to my friend and former police colleague, now resident in Melbourne for many years. He still has connections to Dunedin \u2013 a brother who lives next door to his late mother\u2019s house \u2013 where my journey started. <\/p>\n

His text back to me read \u201cDunedin is looking exotic and prosperous. And clean<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0 I agree.<\/p>\n

And fun too \u2013 that seesaw is a must try!<\/p>\n

Stephen<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/p>\n