POLIS Network Annual Leadership Summit

Nicola flew to Prague in May for the POLIS Network Annual Leadership Summit to take part in a panel discussion, considering how to enable EU citizens to make different choices regarding how they navigate the city.  Embracing different modes of transport is key to decarbonisation and tackling climate emergency.
 
Her primary message was this - start by asking “Why aren’t people doing it anyway?” The answer will reveal multiple points of friction between positive intent and action. Assess the most important, the modifiable and then address, to ease transition. Some points of friction will be easy to detect (access, infrastructure) others more difficult (behavioural blockers - which can often appear counterintuitive). I suspect it’s these hidden blockers e.g. habit, norms, ostrich effect, learned helplessness and status quo bias that hold back visionary plans, schemes and opportunities from widespread adoption.  The Leadership Summit was a fantastic event - it was wonderful to be among committed, dynamic and visionary leaders from both government and industry.