What inspires you?
As a life long Trade Unionist, my inspiration comes from many years of fighting oppression in all its forms whether through class politics and other forms of inequality. These I believe have ensured that certain groups have been underrepresented within the job market through exclusion policies.
Which leadership development programme did you attend?
Peach Placement
Why did you choose the programme?
I chose this programme as it would utilise my skills as both an artist and someone who has many years experience of working with young people. I believe passionately that when programmes are put together for young people by the cultural sector that those doing the work should have at least four years experience of working with young people. I felt I that had the skills to make my placement successful and as a supporter of the Olympiad I felt this would be a great personal coup. Also to work with Keith Khan was an added bonus.
How do you relax?
I go to Amsterdam to relax
What single thing would improve the quality of your work-life?
A more diverse workforce within the cultural sector that reflects London and the UK.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing people I love.
What pearl of leadership wisdom would you offer an emerging leader?
Make sure that you actively embrace diversity and equality as our society needs leaders who want to lead for all not just for the few.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
None of my pleasures are guilty.
What words or phases do you most overuse?
Chief
What has been your most challenging situation as a leader?
When I was a Black Members Chair for UNISON I wrote a constitution. The challenges were trying to get the old guard to agree with me. I knew that new blood was needed as the old constitution only ensured that the status quo would continue. I had to Deal with the hustings, various meetings and conferences where I would have to network and put out constant briefings to members rank and file, and committee executives.
What did you learn from that experience?
What I learnt, was members are always open to change. The people in power don’t want that change as it means that they will have to meet more with the members to keep their position. And also that my brain is large.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Laying on a beach in Grand Cayman.
Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?
Inside Babylon and Blood in my eye
Which 'leader' from the past or present day do you most admire and why?
There are so many leaders you can pick Mandela, Obama and Bevin for example but these have been done to death even though great. I think I’ll choose Jackie Robinson the first African American Baseball player to make it in the majors in the late 40’s when he signed for the Dodgers. I’m choosing Robinson because he was the first and is honoured every year by the Major League. He opened the way for many great African American sports stars like Jim Brown, Hank Aaron and Gale Sayers.
Where would you like to live?
Amsterdam
Did you experience any eureka! moments during your leadership development programme? If yes, what?
I experienced many eureka moments… An example of this would be I have an abundance of transferable skills gained through many years working with youth, social work and the cultural sector.
What is your favourite smell?
South Beach Miami at night
If you were a super hero, what would your power be?
To be invisible
Have you found your leadership development beneficial?
Yes it gave me a deeper insight into how the corporate world operates in pulling together a major project.
For what cause would you die?
My family
What do you consider to be your greatest (professional or personal) achievement?
My son personally, professionally the first play I wrote ‘Hair Pieces’ being sold out after one night.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
Too many
What would your 'leadership' motto be?
Fight for acceptance
If you were stranded on a desert island what 5 things would you want with you?
CD player, family and friends, Waitrose, hammock and TV.
What is your favourite song?
Prince most beautiful girl in the world
What keeps you awake at night?
Writing
What is the most important lesson life has taught you so far?
There’s always lessons to learn.
Do you plan to do more leadership development? If yes, what area do you plan to focus on?
I would like to do more theatre based leadership and training. I miss working in the theatre and still believe that the arts are the best way of engaging apathy. So maybe more theatre skills leadership training would be my ideal training.
Name: Carl Reid
Title: Young Inspectors and You’re Welcome Project Officer
Organisation: Barking and Dagenham Council
The projects themselves involve young people visiting and inspecting services within their local authority to ensure that they are young person friendly accessible and welcoming. The young people then make recommendations on what improvements if any need to be made and they are inspected again six months later. The projects are government schemes that are run in conjunction with National Children’s Bureau. The end product is to equip young people with the skills to not settle for second best whilst learning negotiation skills leading to self confidence building and accreditation. My role- To recruit, train, co-ordinate and manage the projects, network with various organisations both statutory and the voluntary to enable this to happen. There are many challenges within this role, but I relish the challenges.
