Developing the craft of political leadership
mētis provides professional development, strategic analysis and support for individual leaders and institutions around the world
The word mētis describes a type of practical and political intelligence that goes beyond technical ability.
It is a form of know-how that engages with the human factor, aligning interests and incentives.
It is honed through practice, and the experience of adapting to uncertainty.
This is the tradecraft of political leadership: the ability to navigate the realities of people, politics and behaviour.
This is where we work.
ABOUT US
We help politicians, ministers, officials and advisers in the UK and around the world – at national, regional and local levels – to develop the craft of leadership.
We do this through individual training, mentoring and institutional support programmes – providing guidance on strategy, behaviour and managing change.
Our approach has been developed over two decades, working with hundreds of politicians in more than sixty countries, including some of the world’s most complex political environments like Iraq, the Balkans, Nepal, Malawi and Libya.
It draws on insights and innovations from politicians faced with intractable problems. But, in addition, it leans heavily on a range of experience from different disciplines, bridging academia, behavioural science, organisational psychology, political economy and change management.
We also use this experience to support leaders in other professions.
The skills that are central to the craft of politics enhance leadership in any setting. The ability to leverage influence, align incentives and build coalitions are transferable to all professions – because all humans are political, all organisations are political and all change is political. And, ultimately, all change is behavioural change.
These techniques – and our approach to people, politics and behaviour – are distilled in Greg Power’s book, Inside the Political Mind.
Our Services
mētis provides professional development, strategic analysis and support for individual leaders and institutions in three main areas:
Political Leadership Development
We provide training, professional development, mentoring and guidance to elected politicians, officials, ministers and advisers, as individuals or as part of institutional support programmes.
Political Skills in Other Professions
We help to develop the craft of leadership by drawing out skills and insights from the world of politics that are applicable in any profession, and help organisations to navigate political systems.
International Development Work
We have worked with international funders for over twenty years to improve governance and democracy, providing strategic political analysis, project design, implementation, and evaluation.
Our partners & donors
