Leadership is a people business: Towards a fairer Britain 28th September 2010

“If leadership is done properly it empowers people”

The Project challenge Improve understanding and awareness of how equality communities can overcome barriers to leadership Widen the pool of the equality community interested in and prepared for public roles.

The Centre’s approach Action enquiry – working with volunteers to explore their own story and explore a specific issues in their own organisation Appreciative inquiry – to explore notions of leadership and personal leadership journeys Desk review of current practice and literature on leadership development

Appreciative Inquiry 75 interviewees 3 major sources – Steering Group contacts, RSA (Edinburgh) personal contacts

Notions of leadership Vision and direction Sense making Impact – on individuals and the organisation Communication Empowerment, engagement Inclusive and valuing

“good leadership gives opportunities to influence and shape programmes of work – gives you time and space to put forward ideas and take people with you”

Leadership at its best Rare People relationships critical Vision and drive Seeking to help others learn and grow Creating sustainable legacy

Journeys to leadership Importance of early experience – school, youth groups etc Openness of recruitment – valuing experience that is different Impact of experience in first jobs Self awareness Valuing difference

Journeys to leadership Impact of organisational culture Impact of organisational approaches to leadership development

Journeys to leadership – the development that was best Establishment of strong peer learning processes Support of mentors and exposure to learning through observation and experience e.g. Common Purpose Academic learning rooted in strong experiential base

What is required? Build opportunities through schools and youth groups First jobs with opportunities to learn and grow Build self awareness Build value for experience and self knowledge that comes from difference Formal programmes following experience

What is required? Respect as the basis for all development Communication skills Learning communities

“I am utterly convinced that unless and until we attend to basic communication skills within a learning community that is based on respect, all the great resources available to enable growth and development will be built on sand: information sharing; reflective listening; problem solving; assertion; conflict management and resolution – these are the basics and all depend on respect for the individual and the community.”