|
|
Posted By Clore Social Leadership,
10 February 2020
Updated: 23 October 2020
|
Blog by 2019 Cobseo Emerging Leader Fellow, Katherine Lawrence, Head of Operations at the SCiP Alliance
The Cobseo Emerging Leader programme gave me so much more than I expected. When I plucked up the confidence to submit my application in the hope of expanding my narrow network in the military charity sector, I had no idea how transformative it would be, not only professionally but also personally. I felt welcomed, supported and part of something special and I would advise anyone else considering or starting on this journey to embrace it with openness, curiosity and a willingness to be vulnerable.
With a background in education, I’m used to supporting young people to know themselves, to identify the paths to their goals and to have the confidence to go for it; until now I hadn’t thought how to apply these lessons to myself. The programme provided time to reflect and a safe space to take on challenges and step out of my comfort zone, learning both with and from my fellow participants.
"The programme provided time to reflect and a safe space to take on challenges and step out of my comfort zone."
Some elements of the programme were familiar to me but previously hadn’t deeply touched me; now they were delivered with a thoroughness that was transformative. There were some real ‘oh dear!’ moments as I realised things about myself and my way of interacting that I’d never let myself look at before.
The programme didn’t just make me face these, it gave me tools, motivation and peer accountability which enabled me to change habits of a lifetime. One powerful aspect of the programme was the training in identifying the type of response needed in a situation; I learnt to think about what sort of person I would like to be in an interaction and have been trying, with various degrees of success, to act as that person rather than in my default mode.
I have developed my own leadership identity; I feel more comfortable leading with conviction and am buoyed by a clarity of purpose I have never felt before, confident to take action, take responsibility and handle difficult situations head on.
"I feel more comfortable leading with conviction and am buoyed by a clarity of purpose I have never felt before."
So, to sum up, I certainly did gain those contacts I had hoped for but so much more; true friends and deep understanding of the context they work in. I have a better understanding of not only my own sector but the wider social sector. I am really excited to be part of the new Clore Social South Central chapter – an opportunity to feel again that challenge, reflection and exhilaration I enjoyed on the Cobseo Emerging Leader programme.
Tags:
challenges
collaboration
fellow
fellowship
future
skills
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By Clore Social Leadership,
05 February 2020
Updated: 23 October 2020
|
My name is Serena Cecchinato, currently Operations Director at Give Us Time, a small military charity supporting Armed Forces families in need of rest and rehabilitation after suffering stresses and strains as a family unit.
I applied for the Cobseo Emerging Leader Programme after my Managing Director heard about the opportunity. At the time, the charity was going through some changes and adjustments which resulted in me having to take up more responsibilities in my role as well as managing a full-time member of staff. Back then, I took the opportunity more to benefit my organisation and my team rather than myself. I didn’t know it would be an extraordinary and life changing personal journey, as well as a professional one.
I think what a lot of people get wrong about “leadership” is that they consider it to be a skill to acquire, some magic wand you can buy along the way. What I have found thanks to the Programme is that everyone is a leader and leadership belongs to everyone; you just need to discover your own leadership style and in which situations you can put it to good use.
"You just need to discover your own leadership style and in which situations you can put it to good use."
Even though all participants had different backgrounds, different years of experience and different paths ahead of us, the Programme created a safe environment where we could learn, grow and develop from each other. I found it enlightening to be able to share experiences, thoughts and ideas with peers from my sector. It was important to realise how people react differently to situations. With understanding comes the knowledge of behaving in a way that brings the best of everyone to the table.
"With understanding comes the knowledge of behaving in a way that brings the best of everyone to the table."
Some people need to be reassured, others need to shine, while others prefer structures and deadlines. It’s about understanding your team and how the different personalities can work together at their very best, improving the efficiency and productivity of your organisation, as well as making the work environment a much better place.
It is also important to understand yourself and how you react to situations and others’ behaviours. Thanks to the Programme, I have understood that you need to be aware of yourself (the good, the bad and the really bad!) in order to be a good leader and inspire others.
The enthusiasm and skills the Programme gifted me with proved to be extremely important for my team and my charity as well. I took what I learned back to the office, discussed it with the team and involved our Board of Trustees as well; overall creating a breath of fresh air we are all benefiting from!
Since I have spoken so highly about my experience with Clore Social, my colleague is now taking the Programme as well! I am looking forward to seeing his journey now.
I also think that the Programme benefits our sector as a whole. Not only because we have created long lasting relations with our peers on the Programme, but because we are influencing our teams, our organisations and by extent: our sector.
I am so grateful I had this opportunity as I have learned so much about myself and improved so many aspects of my professional life as a result. I honestly cannot recommend the Programme more highly!
Tags:
casestudy
challenges
change
collaboration
community
culture
fellow
future
programme
skills
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By Clore Social Leadership,
27 November 2019
Updated: 23 October 2020
|
Blog by Annie Edwards, Project Manager at Young Women's Worker
I’ve been asked to write a blog about my experience on the Clore Social Emerging Leader: Women and Girls Sector Programme – my limit is 700 words, but I’m not sure I can write the word “AMAZING!” 700 times over, so I’ll try and break down my experience a little more for you.
I originally applied for the programme because a colleague from a partner organisation to mine encouraged me to go for it, and I couldn’t think of a reason not to. I’ve always been passionate about women and girls’ rights and ensuring equal opportunities. This has been a common thread for me in my work and studies; at university I studied Theology and had a deep interest in feminist theology and the place women can and should have within faith communities and traditions. I’ve been working for my current organisation, Canaan Project, for three and a half years – we offer girls-only provision in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, collaborating with schools and community partners because we want to see young women flourish.
"I was sitting in a room with the upcoming female leaders of our sector – and I was considered to be one of them."
I looked at the application form and was pretty confident that I wouldn’t be accepted onto the programme. I was hopeful that I would be, as any opportunity to develop (and be pampered in the process!) is something I always enjoy. It remained a genuine surprise, however, when I was accepted onto the programme – mostly because of the calibre of the other women who had also been accepted. I’m a big believer in Imposter Syndrome, and on the first residential (we were spoilt with two residentials – the food and the venue were simply amazing. Nothing like a bit of TLC to make you feel like a leader!) we were introduced to each other and our work and I was just amazed. I was sitting in a room with the upcoming female leaders of our sector – and I was considered to be one of them.
The best thing about the programme was the consistent underlying determination of the Clore Social team to ensure that we left the residentials, the coaching sessions, the secondments and the online learning sessions believing that we were brilliant and we still are today.
Clore Social created a safe space for me to be honest and open about where I fell short in my leadership style, and celebrated with me when I felt I’d made a change or grown in those areas.
"My biggest challenge as a leader has always been my confidence, and Clore Social helped me to find bucket-loads – mostly within myself."
My biggest challenge as a leader has always been my confidence, and Clore Social helped me to find bucket-loads – mostly within myself. My ongoing relationship with Imposter Syndrome was challenged when other women in the group shared that they felt the same – I wasn’t the only one after all! – and that together we could support one another out of that head-space because it turns out it was never true really.
One of my favourite things about Clore was the coaching sessions. I’ve always been a much better talker than a listener, but I’ve not always been brilliant at listening to myself. Coaching helped me to do this so much better, and it’s enabled me to become a better leader because I can communicate my limits, my strengths and my still-celebrated areas of weakness much better. Honesty and integrity are so important to me as a leader, and Clore Social has taught me that a part of that process is to learn to be honest with yourself.
Life doesn’t stop when you become a leader – if anything, it can sometimes make life a bit trickier for a while. But thankfully, I’m still in touch with my wonderful co-Clorers and we continue to support and challenge each other to keep leading the way that only we can.
"Clore Social is more than just a course; it’s a community and safe space to get to know others, and yourself, and love both much better."
Clore Social is more than just a course; it’s a community and safe space to get to know others, and yourself, and love both much better. If you’re not sure whether to apply, or you don’t have a colleague pushing you to do so – then let me: GO FOR IT, GIRL!
Tags:
casestudy
challenges
coaching
collaboration
community
culture
event
fellow
gender
programme
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By Clore Social Leadership,
17 October 2019
Updated: 23 October 2020
|
Experienced Leader participant, Ed Tytherleigh, Chief Executive of Stoll, writes about his journey through the programme.
My career in the charity sector began as a volunteer 23 years ago. I absolutely loved that first experience – it was in a Drop-in Centre for homeless people in Manchester. Since then, I have led three charities, and after 13 years’ experience of being a Chief Executive, I now appreciate the importance of continuous learning.
I joined the Experienced Leader Programme to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I already have an MBA, and I wanted to keep learning and challenging myself.
I can safely say, I feel more confident and accomplished after taking part in the programme. It made me step back and look at my own leadership, influence and approach more objectively. I now spend more time discussing my team members’ leadership journeys and have definitely experienced a step change in terms of how I empower those around me.
"I can safely say, I feel more confident and accomplished after taking part in the programme."
One particular theme which resonated with me was that of modern leadership. How it is increasingly about relating to others, about understanding what fulfilment means to them and aligning work to wider personal aspirations.
Effective leadership is so much about being true to yourself, and credible and open with others – it is by its very nature an individual journey. As a result, I would advise anyone starting out to consider which areas of their leadership to focus on. The programme offers a very safe space to explore weaknesses along with strengths, so I would urge them to focus on what is right for them at that time.
"Effective leadership is so much about being true to yourself, and credible and open with others."
This is why I would definitely encourage others to take part in the programme. There is so much to learn and explore. So much so that we each benefited from the programme in our own personal way.
--
The Experienced Leader Programme is a 12-month curated leadership development journey designed for social leaders with 6 or more years' experience, which includes 6 fully-funded places for the Armed Forces Charity sector.
Tags:
casestudy
change
fellow
fellowship
future
skills
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
Posted By Clore Social Leadership,
24 May 2019
Updated: 23 October 2020
|
Dionne Charlotte, 2018 Emerging Leader fellow relays her experience on the programme.
At the start of the programme, I was unsure how to take the next steps in my career. I wanted to explore where I could make a true impact in a sector that I am very passionate about. The content of the programme really helped me to discover my leadership strengths, preferences and identify where these would be best placed in the sector to create sustainable change.
Our Improvisation session was challenging, however it gave me permission to have those difficult conversations and take the risks that my “normal self” would probably hesitate to do. Having permission to be a different version of myself in moments of conflict and frustration has allowed me to reach positive decisions in the workplace with others. I now take a step back and ask myself “who do I need to be in this situation to get the outcome I am looking for?”
"I now take a step back and ask myself 'who do I need to be in this situation to get the outcome I am looking for?"
Learning more about other people’s preferences and ways of working has enabled me to become more effective in influencing people to create change and impact where they are. Being able to reflect on where and when I am best placed to lead has been valuable in reaching collaborative goals. I thought the Action Learning Set feature of the programme was beneficial as it allowed me to step into the shoes of another leaders world, hear their most challenging issues, explore their perspective with them and contribute with my group to how they may navigate these challenges. These were valuable lessons that may have taken me years to learn on my own.
The skills required of social leaders are continuously evolving, the world we live in is becoming rapidly complex and interdependent. Therefore, the complexity of social issues we see requires a collaborative approach from a range of disciplines to deliver sustainable solutions. We need to be leaders that are able to navigate and thrive in these environments.
"We need to be leaders that are able to navigate and thrive in these environments."
As a result of the Emerging Leader Programme, I have a greater awareness of self and more confidence to lead in my current context. I have learnt that leadership development is not just about having an idea or a fantasy about how you can change the world, but rather, our focus should be on having tangible evidence of our leadership strengths via the self-discovery process and truthfully asking yourself the question “why would I be the best person to serve in that role?”
For those just starting on their leadership journey, I would encourage them to be open, honest and at times vulnerable about where they are at. The most powerful tool you have is learning how to observe yourself and others. Understanding these insights will help your personal development and give you an ability to know what is required to succeed in your own context. Be confident about the direction you want to go, be inquisitive and keep the conversations going. There is always something to learn in every moment and the Clore Emerging Leaders Programme gives a brilliant template on how to develop yourself as a Social Leader.
Dionne Charlotte is a Project Manager at the Single Homeless Prevention Service. She is a 2018 Clore Social Emerging Leader fellow for the programme run in collaboration with the Centre for Homelessness Impact.
Recruitment is now open for the Emerging Leader Programme running from September 2019 to March 2020. The programme includes 24 places for leaders who are keen to become more effective in their roles. Find out more below.
Photo by Jen Holland Photography.
Tags:
challenges
collaboration
community
fellow
programme
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS