What inspires you?

Creative people, lateral thinkers, visual pleasure i.e. the sea, a beautiful garden; some contemporary art i.e. Bruce Nauman, Joseph Beuys, stimulating conversation; a really good book

Which leadership development programme did you attend?

Peach Placement

Why did you choose the programme?

Right place at the right time – Tate St Ives combined with looking at audiences and contemporary art – round peg in round hole.

How do you relax?

Reading, watching movies, walking

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

Everyone in the organisation understanding and prioritising time for research and reflection

What is your greatest fear?

Becoming invisible (as I get older) and not valued

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

Be aware of what you don’t know as well as what you do – and don’t be afraid to ask for help

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Eating cream cakes

What words or phases do you most overuse?

Whatever suits you

What has been your most challenging situation as a leader?

Dealing with staff

What did you learn from that experience?

To be honest

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Lying on a Cornish beach on a warm day reading a good book

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

A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland

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

Mark Osterfield is the Executive Director of Tate St Ives and has been an inspiration to me. He’s a very special person. He’s confident in himself which allows him to be generous. Everyone is given a voice.

Where would you like to live?

Cornwall or Venice

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

Yes, lots! • I hadn’t anticipated the joy of returning to research i.e. using my brain in a reflective way. • A recognition that I want to be seen as ‘remarkable’ – this came out of a CLP meeting on 23 Feb, where the facilitator talked about personal brand and being ‘remarkable’., which resonated with me. From the beginning I have been aware of the brief timeline of the placement – six months in which to learn, make a difference, have an impact – all this has made me realise that yes, I do want to be remarkable – it’s not enough to just be good at whatever you do. • A realisation that I can utilise my former life and identity as an artist and my relationship to my art practice. I have been reflecting on how I perceive my 'leadership' approach through an artists lens: i.e. to be ideas based; self organising and seeing creativity as the way we work not what we produce

What is your favourite smell?

Lavender

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

Being able to fly

Have you found your leadership development beneficial?

Yes, absolutely, in many ways

Why?

It is an immense luxury to have had this time for reflection; and for self-reflection on what it means to be a leader. I feel there has been so much that I can take with me to my next position, and that will reveal itself through actually ‘doing’ it. Two things already seem clear to me as I move towards the Head of Interaction role at Arnolfini: to find time for research within the post by rethinking the delivery model; and to build in reflection and evaluation from the beginning. In this way, I would hope to be seen as a role-model for my team. I also now recognise that being a catalyst for change and changing people while you work is part of what I have done at Tate St Ives and what I would like to continue. Also, the quality of the work and the consistency to audience and organisational mission is also very important to me. Mark Osterfield has been a fantastic role model; his generosity, compassion and interest in people means he is an amazing leader.

For what cause would you die?

I can’t think of one

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

I haven’t got there yet.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Not being honest with someone in order not to hurt them – and them finding out I lied

What would your 'leadership' motto be?

Do unto others...

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

Crayons, water, fruit, a ton of books and paper

What is your favourite song?

Nightswimming by REM

What keeps you awake at night?

Anxiety about work

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

The unexamined life is a life not worth living

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

Not at the moment – my new job will see me putting all my new knowledge into practice.