Caroline Kenyon

Communications specialist focussed on healthcare and wellbeing

[Department for Work and Pensions @DWPgovuk]

Tomorrow: A new approach to health and work

Sir Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working Review will be published tomorrow - informed by thousands who shared their stories to help shape real solutions for staying in and returning to work

#KeepBritainWorking

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

I love this 🙌🏻 and take note for future comms, thank you Helen

[Helen Bevan @HelenBevan]

I do not like the term “empowerment”.

“Empowerment” is everywhere in the world of change leadership. It’s in the top three of the most commonly used leadership terms globally according to @DigitalDefynd. Personally, I never use “empowerment” unless I’m working with someone who is doing so already.

When organisations or leaders seek to "empower" people, it's often them choosing what's best or how much control others can have. This puts the person or group doing the empowering above everyone else & doesn't really give true freedom to those on the receiving end. Empowerment suggests that power is something that “we” give to “them,” reinforcing the status of the “giver” & (often unintentionally) making others feel weak or dependent, which is the opposite of what empowerment is supposed to do.

“Agency” is a better principle than “empowerment”. It means recognising people's innate ability to contribute & lead rather than relying on managers to bestow permission. People with agency decide what to do, take action & shape what happens. It’s their own drive & ability, not because someone else says they can. Agency makes people active collaborators in change & leads to better, more sustainable change outcomes.

As leaders, we can give people empowerment, by granting permission or sharing authority. We cannot give people agency: people have to build it for themselves through practice, experience & reflection. But leaders can create a climate for agency to thrive through encouragement, resources & space.

Being “agentic” means acting with or displaying agency. This term has become popular recently because of the development of “agentic AI” – AI systems that can act autonomously & make decisions, rather than just react to commands, prompts or rules. We don’t just need agentic AI; we need agentic people too.

“Agentic” is beyond “empowered”; it means shifting from a top-down model of control to one that trusts & supports people to make their own choices, solve problems & shape their own work. This shift requires us to let go of rigid structures, foster open dialogue & design systems that enable autonomy & collective discovery. When teams operate with agency, they become active collaborators, driving innovation & resilience in the face of uncertainty. The future belongs to leaders who encourage agency - rather than empowerment - where people don’t wait for permission, but act with purpose & ownership.

“Designing for agency: how leaders move past empowerment”: https://t.co/S5ehHIHqqA. By Daniel Gagnon & Pete Behrens.

Graphic adapted from “Agency is the highest level of personal competence”: https://t.co/EwXlsbdvC4. By @ThomasSBateman.

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

As NHS structures go through big changes, hear a plea to stay focussed on patient safety from @r_benneyworth @theHSSIB - in the latest episode of Culture Reset https://t.co/C9LHOcdDgL
@JulietteKumar
@HealthInnovNet

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

Tips for knackered public sector women - from the wonderful Sarah Clein talking to my Culture Reset co-host @JulietteKumar

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

Racism should be tackled in the same way that we respond to any harm in healthcare says Taira Shaffi @NHSCandM - sharing brilliant insights on the Culture Reset podcast with @JulietteKumar
@WeAreKenyons

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

It was a delight to talk to @jacquimck on the Culture Reset podcast about the turnaround @lpoolcouncil and how its leaders are determined to make Liverpool not just better, but the best in delivering local services
https://t.co/eylE0xDIco
@JulietteKumar @WeAreKenyons @LGAcomms

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

Thrilled to launch new podcast Culture Reset with @JulietteKumar - with a fabulous first guest @JohnHerringOD talking about the impact on behaviours when organisations are ‘in the grip’ of budget pressures

https://t.co/aBSEcMK3uk

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

Brilliant article encapsulating everything that makes Formby Ladies so special 🏌️‍♀️⛳️

[Formby Ladies Golf Club @FormbyLadiesGC]

A fantastic article in the @Daily_Express highlights our Club's rich history and exceptional course conditions, making us a must-play destination this winter 👇

https://t.co/zM5avSYbEL

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

@PrimaryCare24 @UrgentHealthUK Brilliant! Well done and congratulations!

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

@chiccomms @WeAreKenyons Thanks very much Chris - let’s reconnect soon! X

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

It's an exciting week with the launch of our new brand @WeAreKenyons I'm feeling very nostalgic about all the wonderful people I've worked with over 30-plus years, thank you former colleagues who've been in touch including some of those featured in this little film!

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

@Greg946 @WeAreKenyons I’m still learning Greg! And that’s a big ‘plus’ on the 30 by the way!

[The King's Fund @TheKingsFund]

Tackling health inequalities and improving health for the groups who typically experience the worst outcomes requires concerted action from across government. In our long read we set out seven priority areas:
https://t.co/yRg3siiRY1 #HealthInequalities

[Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre @MentalHealthRIC]

M-RIC and @Mersey_Care are preparing to launch Count Me In, a new system which will make it easier for more patients and service users to get involved in research activities. Watch our short video which explains more or visit https://t.co/MkBFs8k5R8

[Malala Yousafzai @Malala]

Today, I want to share a message with my powerful Afghan sisters. You are fighting back against the Taliban’s crimes, as they ban you from going to school and try to erase you from public life. You continue resisting. Your courage is a source of inspiration.

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

Another great listen - a moving patient story and great insights from cancer specialists

[The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre @CCCNHS]

In episode 5 of our new podcast Taking Care of Cancer, Neuro Oncology Specialist Nurse Jill Sokratous discusses why it's so important to her to understand each patient's unique experience so she can provide effective individualised care.

🎧 Listen now: https://t.co/0SEj3urypw

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

So good to know that Liverpool is in the vanguard of the Govt's mental health mission with service user and carer representatives working alongside leaders and researchers

[Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre @MentalHealthRIC]

It was a delight to welcome Tim Nicholls, UK Mental Health Mission Implementation Lead to our @LivUniCHIL headquarters - to hear about our work connecting service users, science and society

[Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre @MentalHealthRIC]

It was a delight to welcome Tim Nicholls, UK Mental Health Mission Implementation Lead to our @LivUniCHIL headquarters - to hear about our work connecting service users, science and society

[Caroline Kenyon @carokenyon]

It’s dress like your daughter day again 😍@rosiedmkenyon