What inspires you?
Great writing.
Which leadership development programme did you attend?
Clore Short Course, Facilitation skills, Coaching skills
Why did you choose the programme?
Word of mouth and budget.
How do you relax?
Swimming.
What single thing would improve the quality of your work-life?
An office at the end of the garden (if I had a garden) so that I have a separate place to work.
What is your greatest fear?
Climate change and peak oil – that enough people won’t get the message in time to save the planet.
What pearl of leadership wisdom would you offer an emerging leader?
The best leaders inspire rather than instruct.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Trashy TV
What words or phases do you most overuse?
‘Lovely’ apparently
What has been your most challenging situation as a leader?
Too many to mention.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A long swim followed by a long lunch with family and friends
Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?
An anthology of poetry by Ruth Padel.
Where would you like to live?
By a lake
Did you experience any eureka! moments during your leadership development programme? If yes, what?
That the solutions other people come up with through coaching and facilitation are often more interesting and appropriate than any advice you might have given!
What is your favourite smell?
Geranium
If you were a super hero, what would your power be?
Fearlessness – not really a super power but fear holds people back.
Have you found your leadership development beneficial?
Absolutely
Why?
It has given me a better and deeper understanding of how people work – and how to work better with them as a result.
For what cause would you die?
Persecution in all its forms
What do you consider to be your greatest (professional or personal) achievement?
Swimming 500 yards in 4 degrees C in the endurance race at the UK cold water swimming championships
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
Too many to mention…
What would your 'leadership' motto be?
Can’t think of one
If you were stranded on a desert island what 5 things would you want with you?
I’d make do with Bear Grylls or Ray Mears - I’m sure they could build, hunt, forage, cook or salvage anything else I needed.
What is your favourite song?
Spem in alium by Thomas Tallis – at the moment
What keeps you awake at night?
Everything – or nothing – it depends
What is the most important lesson life has taught you so far?
Experience is more important than material things.
Do you plan to do more leadership development? If yes, what area do you plan to focus on?
Working further on coaching and facilitation skills
Name: Hilary Jennings
Title: Freelance Consultant
