Leadership reflections

If you are in a regulatory leadership role, learning from those with extensive experience can be invaluable.

This series of short videos features personal reflections from senior leaders in regulation. They offer practical insights for anyone stepping into leadership, growing in their role, or navigating complex regulatory issues.

In the first series, Keith Manch shares what he’s learned about leading people, driving innovation, and shaping regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Keith has held senior roles in both economic and safety regulation and is widely recognised for his contributions to regulatory design and practice. He is a thought-leader, author, and tireless advocate for good regulatory design and practice. 

A career in regulation

Keith Manch shares insights on building transferable people skills, navigating career development, and focusing your efforts on what really matters in regulatory work.

Stepping into leadership

This video explores the privilege of leading passionate people, who benefits from strong leadership, and how to navigate your transition into a leadership role in the regulatory sector.

Developing your people

Keith discusses how regulatory theory, thought leadership, and asking the right questions can help teams achieve better outcomes.

What is success in regulating?

This video looks at how behaviour change is driven through relationships, why effective regulation relies on a flexible toolbox, and how leaders can manage legitimacy in complex environments.

Governance in regulation

Keith reflects on the importance of understanding your industry’s context, the challenge of wearing different leadership hats, and how storytelling can help connect your team to its purpose.

Leading collaboration

This video explores how good leaders foster collaboration — even when it’s not easy — and the significant effort required to bring systems together to unlock opportunities.

Creativity, courage & crisis

Keith reflects on how a crisis can spark creativity, the power of uniting people around shared problems, and how regulators may need to take calculated risks to achieve the best outcomes.

Bridging policy and practice

This video looks at how consistent communication builds trust, and what it takes to successfully transition between policy and operational leadership roles.

Regulatory failure and capture matter

Keith explains the risk of complacency, and how balancing collaboration with enforcement is easier when supported by clear, rigorous processes.

Strength and flexibility in leadership

Keith reflects on the challenges of leadership, how to keep your organisation focused, and the importance of being able to change direction when circumstances shift.