What inspires you?

Inspirational leaders, great art experiences, the opportunity to create an impact

Which leadership development programme did you attend?

Clore Short Course

Why did you choose the programme?

I wanted to find out the mechanics of leadership and was looking for a practical roadmap to help me achieve this. The subjects covered by the course seemed ideal but in addition to this, the philosophy surrounding the course seemed geared towards maximising the peer learning available.

How do you relax?

I relax by reading, watching (good) TV and by doing Salsa twice a week.

What single thing would improve the quality of your work-life?

Less bureaucracy!

What is your greatest fear?

Not achieving my potential in life.

What pearl of leadership wisdom would you offer an emerging leader?

There is no success without failure. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you succeeding.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Anything that contains double cream and white chocolate!!!

What words or phases do you most overuse?

‘Essentially’ ‘The thing is...’ ‘Really…?’

What has been your most challenging situation as a leader?

Receiving negative feedback from the team. It highlighted that despite my best efforts in an area that is one of my strengths; I was not successful and had not provided leadership and direction in the way I had hoped to. To take this on board and keep going and continue to foster and atmosphere where the team were able to express their issues honestly without taking it personally was difficult.

What did you learn from that experience?

The fact the team could feedback in this way without fear of reprisal was a success. That this was an experience to inform how I would handle the situation next time. That it was not the end of the world!!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

At home, with family having a laugh!

Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?

The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker

Which 'leader' from the past or present day do you most admire and why?

Celeste Dandeker, ex Artistic Director, CandoCo Dance Company. For taking lemons and giving the world lemonade!!

Where would you like to live?

Snaresbrook

Did you experience any eureka! moments during your leadership development programme? If yes, what?

During the short course I talked to my group about the elements of leadership I aspired to having myself and they looked at me with confused looks and said ‘ but you those already!’. That was the first time I really believed it.

What is your favourite smell?

The West Indies

If you were a super hero, what would your power be?

The power to heal.

Have you found your leadership development beneficial?

Very much so.

Why?

For the peer learning opportunity, the chance to do some self analysis and building some key networks.

For what cause would you die?

My family

What do you consider to be your greatest (professional or personal) achievement?

Getting my son to University!

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Really…..?

What would your 'leadership' motto be?

Yes you can….

If you were stranded on a desert island what 5 things would you want with you?

My Ipod (fully charged) DVD player and the West Wing Box Set (solar powered of course) Mosquito net Sunglasses All my shoes?????

What is your favourite song?

Redemption Song – Bob Marley

What keeps you awake at night?

Many, many things…….

What is the most important lesson life has taught you so far?

That I have immense willpower when I want or need it!

Do you plan to do more leadership development? If yes, what area do you plan to focus on?

Yes – putting my learning into practice.