Focusing on approach to leadership, challenges faced and how to overcome them, also asking what it takes to be a good leader.
"I get a lot of very positive feedback from my emails that I send out saying they really appreciate the fact that I open up a bit and I'm not a closed person. If I struggle with something I will tell people, and I think that just makes you more human"
Key points:
- Managing Illingworth's growth throughout a pandemic meaning. Recruiting when face to face meetings we're not possible and ensuring delivery of ongoing projects in challenging times.
- Maintaining motivation in a time where we feel quite lonely and self-care, taking time for yourself to help you be your best and encourage those around you to do the same.
- Good leaders should be both tough, driven and empathetic, a Nursing background has certainly helped here.
- Great leaders should be clear, focused, willing to praise and educate and develop employees. Along with a good sense of humour!
- Be human, share your own feelings in challenging times. We are all human and shared experiences are important.
- Stand by your principles, don't change your views to be popular. The tricky balance between been direct and giving flexibility.
- Think about the next leaders, introduced a Junior Leadership Programme.
- Always use your colleagues to ask questions at any level of a role.
- Avoid micro-management whilst still been supportive.