GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
ALIGNING PRIORITIES
A Wellington public servant has confirmed he inserted the word “strategic” into a routine sentence during a meeting on Tuesday, in what colleagues describe as a bold attempt to improve how it sounded.
Senior advisor Mark Ellison, 38, said the adjustment came to him naturally while discussing an otherwise ordinary piece of work.
“I just thought instead of saying it’s a plan, I’d say it’s a strategic plan,” Ellison explained. “It instantly felt more intentional.”
Ellison, who wouldn’t reveal which ministry or “working group” he’s working for, said the word helps signal depth, even when depth may not be immediately visible.
“You can’t really argue with strategic, you know. It suggests there’s a bigger picture happening somewhere.”
He confirmed he has also trialled phrases such as “strategic alignment” and “strategic intent” in recent weeks.
“It just slows the room down a bit. People nod more. There’s less follow up questions.”
Colleague Sarah Prasad said the move is part of a wider pattern across the floor.
“Once someone says strategic, you sort of assume they’ve thought about it properly,” Prasad said. “No one wants to be the person asking what that actually means.”
Prasad confirmed she has personally begun describing her weekly catch up as a “strategic touchpoint.”
Ellison has since updated two documents and one email to include the word, noting he is considering elevating his to-do list to a “strategic personal work programme.”
“At the end of the day, we’re here to be strategic about things,” Ellison said. “Whatever those things are.”
More to come.
