Leadership Letters

In this episode, we are reflecting on our conversation with author of Revolting Women: Why Midlife Women Are Walking Out And What to Do About It, Dr Lucy Ryan. You can learn more about Lucy here and find her on LinkedIn.Inspired by Lucy's work, we offer you some questions to prompt your thinking as a leader about the extent to which you, and your organisation, are aware of, and meeting, the needs of individuals in your organisation in midlife. The role of love in leadership also features, as well as resources for reflecting on and considering what people might be experiencing in midlife, as well as what you might have underestimated about them!Lastly, in light of the extraordinary piece of history that Lucy shared, we wrap up the season by thinking about the act of writing letters, why they matter in leadership, and why you might like to write your own Leadership Letter.REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATION LINKS:Reflections on ConnectionsA blog post about AssumptionsMy Leadership Letter - Lizzie Bentley Bowers' Leadership Letter, Season 1Revolting Women: Why Midlife Women are Walking Out and What To Do About It by Dr Lucy RyanLunchtime Learning For Leaders by Dr Lucy RyanLeading from Love newsletter and podcast by Helena ClaytonNever, ever give up TED Talk by Diana Nyad Nyad and The Other Shore: The Diana Nyad Story on NetflixThe Mid Point with Gabby Logan podcastSee you next time for more ideas, inspiration, tools and resources to support and challenge you to go towards all that leadership asks of you. We'll be hearing from guests again in the autumn, and will share some additional episodes with some extra food for leadership thought in the meantime so keep your ears peeled for those. If there's anything else you heard and would like to know more about, please add a comment below or get in touch. And while you're here, we would love to know what topics and guests you would like to hear on this podcast, so please do send your suggestions! Leadership Letters, and Towards Leadership, are produced by Anything But Footy.

Our guest in this episode, Dr Lucy Ryan holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and an MSc in Positive Psychology. Her most recent book ‘Revolting Women: why midlife women are walking out and what to do about it’ is an important and highly engaging call to action to pay more attention to multi generational workforces and in particular the challenges and biases faced by women in Mid Life. She is the author of two other books, including one recommended previously on this podcast, ‘Lunchtime Learning for leaders’ and she has worked with leaders from a range of organisations including the BBC, Siemens and UNICEF. Lucy shares an extraordinary letter written by her grandfather to his brother during World War II. During our conversation, we talked about:Compassion and strengthAutonomyWorking for entrepreneursManaging with strengths in mindMulti-generational organisations and leadership.Taking it seriously without taking ourselves too seriouslyDefining, and redefining, ‘hard work’Gender equalitySabbaticalsMidlife check insLove in leadershipLoneliness in leadershipThe power of pauseThe impact of a letter‘Revolting Women: why midlife women are walking out and what to do about it’ by Dr Lucy RyanWorking Identity by Herminia IbarraDiary of a CEO by Stephen BartlettOperation Judgement: The Battle Of TarantoLUCY’S LETTER + QUOTESWe’re honoured that Lucy shared a letter written by her Grandfather, Captain Denis Boyd, to his brother in the aftermath of one of the most extraordinary events of World War II, the Battle of Taranto. It was deeply moving to hear the words of a leader from so long ago, navigating such dire circumstances. We went on to talk about love in leadership, the power of pause, and the act of writing a letter.“I wonder how many leaders today would write with such emotion”+“Leadership as this combination of passion and strength”+“So often they need a temporary pause..they don’t want to leave.’”+“I think a lot of organisations are not serious about long lasting change.”+“Leadership is in a really interesting period of transition.”On our sister podcast, Towards Leadership, we will look in more detail at tools, reflections and practical application of the ideas, insights and inspiration we get from our guests on Leadership Letters. An episode focused on Lucy’s insights will be coming soon. If you are already subscribed to Leadership Letters, look out for it in your podcast feed.GET IN TOUCHIf there’s anything else you heard and would like to know more about, please get in touch.And while you’re here, we would love to know what topics and guests you would like to hear on this podcast, so please do send your suggestions!

Welcome to Towards Leadership. In this episode we are reflecting on our conversation with CPO of Exa Infrastructure, Carrie Cushing.Learn More About Exa Infrastructure and find Carrie on LinkedInThere were so many insights to explore in Carrie’s episode, and one that struck a chord with many of you was her reference to the leadership shadow. How do you know what yours is? And if you think you know, how can you be sure? As Carrie said, “if you’re not sure, ask” and in this episode we look at five things to consider when you are giving and receiving feedback to ensure that it really is useful in developing your awareness of your leadership shadow. You’ll find our usual read, watch and listen to recommendations too. And if there is something you want to hear more about from Carrie’s episode please get in touch.References and RECOMMENDATION LINKS:Blog post - Feedback In 5The Perfect story by Karen EberGhosts The Final EpisodePeople Managing People with David RiceSee you next time for more ideas, inspiration, tools and resources to support and challenge you to go towards all that leadership asks of you.FOLLOWThe Leadership Letters and Towards Leadership Podcasts are produced by Anything But Footy. You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, or wherever you get your podcasts.GET IN TOUCHIf there’s anything else you heard and would like to know more about, please get in touch.And while you’re here, we would love to know what topics and guests you would like to hear on this podcast, so please do send your suggestions!

Our leadership conversation in this episode is with Chief People Officer for EXA Infrastructure, Carrie Cushing.Carrie is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has more than 20 years experience working in HR roles across a range of industries including financial service, healthcare, energy and tech. She has a passion for developing talent and culture where people and performance can thrive. With extensive leadership experience both as a leader herself, and as an HR partner to so many leaders, there was so much we wanted to talk to Carrie about and she shares a ton of insight, wisdom, reflection and advice in this episode. You can find Carrie at EXA Infrastructure and on LinkedIn. During our conversation, we talked about:Confidence that inspires and intriguesIntentionally choosing your leadership shadowEquality RelationshipsWorking at sharing who you areGetting to know and playing to your strengthsCourage in leadership - stepping towards challengesWhen stillness is as important as activityFlipping the ‘don’t make mistakes’ mindsetProjecting confidence, including comfort with what you don’t knowAlways asking questions about the feedback you receive.A Perfect Story by Karen EberBank Of Me by Jane SparrowCARRIE’S LETTER + QUOTESIn Carrie’s letter to ‘The Leaders Who Were Not Like Me’ she shares valuable lessons from leaders, and the leadership shadow they cast, that she encountered earlier in her career. These include patience, managing emotions, resilience and intentionally managing her own leadership shadow.“Seeing myself as at cause not effect”+“If you’re not sure what to do - sit still.”+“Mistakes are the currency of growth”+“Intentionally choose the shadow I want to cast.”“Ask the questions. Take the guesswork out.” On our sister podcast, Towards Leadership, we will look in more detail at tools, reflections and practical application of the ideas, insights and inspiration we get from our guests on Leadership Letters. An episode focused on Carrie’s insights will be coming soon. If you already follow Leadership Letters, look out for it in your podcast feed.

Welcome to Towards Leadership from Leadership Letters. We are reflecting on our conversation with CEP of The Sport and recreation Alliance, Lisa Wainwright. Lisa shared an enormous amount of insight, advice and experience - we are thinking we might need another Towards Leadership episode! If there is something you want to hear more about from Lisa’s episode please get in touch. Learn More About The Sport and Recreation Alliance and find Lisa on LinkedIn.In this episode, we look at bringing people with you through purposeful and rehearsed repetition of your key messages. We also take a look at the voices in our leadership heads, and how to manage them in the most useful ways as well as our usual read, watch and listen to recommendations, complete with a festive touch!RECOMMENDATION LINKS:TL blog post: Your Internal Leadership TeamYour Personal Boardroom by Zella King and Amanda ScottTrue North by Bill GeorgeStart with Why by Simon SinekMind UKUnleashed by Frances Frei and Anne MorrisWhere We Go Next Podcast - Episode 49 with Jenara NerenbergLeading Below The Surface by LaTonya WilkinsThe Anti-Racist Organisation by Shereen DanielsDivergent Mind: Thriving In a World that Wasn’t Designed for You by Jenara NerenbergAnd the timeless ElfWishing you all a peaceful and restful holiday season - we’ll be back in January 2024 with more ideas, inspiration, tools and resources to support and challenge you to go towards all that leadership asks of you.

In this episode our leadership conversation is with CEO of The Sport and Recreation Alliance, Lisa Wainwright. Lisa has held a number of senior roles at Sport England initiating the work on the safeguarding standards, clubmark and volunteering before moving to become CEO at Volleyball England in 2008 and then British Basketball in 2016.  Internationally she has held roles on the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Ethics Panel, European Volleyball (CEV) Credentials Panel as well as being a Director of the British Olympic Association. She is currently a Technical Director for International Volleyball (FIVB) and is a member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Governance Commission and in 2018, was ranked number 12 in the Top 100 Executive LGBT+ Allies by FT OUTStanding and became an Ambassador for Women on Boards UK. With such depth and breadth of leadership experience to draw on this conversation is full of insight into the mindsets, behaviours, skills and communication of leadership. Learn More about The Sport and Recreation Alliance and find Lisa on LinkedIn.During our conversation, we talked about:Taking a holistic approach to people and the skills of holistic leadershipShared and reciprocated vulnerabilityCatching physical reactions and pausingValues and visionCalling out and dealing with defensivenessDifferent ways of speaking upUsing humourConsistent messages, individually tailoredThe importance of people who are not like youCourage in leadershipSaying ‘I don’t know’Billie Jean KingCelia BrackenridgePersonal BoardroomLISA’S LETTER + QUOTESLisa’s letter to Billie Jean King both appreciates and celebrates the ‘mark made not just on the tennis stage but on the world stage’ and the continuous courage it took to do that. In a moving letter Lisa’s admiration of how Billie Jean King has ‘shone a light on the possible’ and the impact that has had on her as a leader serves as a starting point for a conversation about the role of courage in leadership.“A person is a person in so many different ways.”+“I’m still just a teacher - yes, my title is CEO, but what I try to do is help people develop themselves.”+“I don’t know.”+“You need people you trust around you, and a collective belief in what you are trying to deliver.”On our sister podcast, Towards Leadership, we will look in more detail at tools, reflections and practical application of the ideas, insights and inspiration we get from our guests on Leadership Letters. An episode focused on Lisa’s insights will be coming soon. If you are already subscribed to Leadership Letters, look out for it in your podcast feed.

Back for a new season, Towards Leadership is where we take a deeper dive into some leadership tools, resources, ideas and inspiration arising from the Leadership Letters podcast. In this episode #9, we are focusing on our first episode of season four when we were joined by Co-Founders of Radio News Hub Stephanie Otty and Jamie Fletcher. Find Steph and Jamie on LinkedIn, as we begin by talking about talking and in light of Steph and Jamie’s approach, the continuous conversations that make disagreements a thing of the past! ALSO there's much more!RECOMMENDATION LINKS:The Article 7 Types of Rest by Allaya Cooks-CampbellThe TV Hobby Man with Alex BrookerThe Podcast Rich Roll Podcast: Episode 600 Sleep Is Your SuperpowerThe Blog Posts - Assumptions and Restoration PreparationSUBSCRIBEThe Leadership Letters and Towards Leadership Podcasts are produced by Anything But Footy. You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, or wherever you get your podcasts.GET IN TOUCHIf there’s anything else you heard and would like to know more about, please get in touch.And while you’re here, we would love to know what topics and guests you would like to hear on this podcast, so please do send your suggestions!

Welcome back for a new season! In this episode, for only the second time in Leadership Letters history, we have co-founders joining us on the podcast and sharing why two heads really are better than one. Stephanie Otty and Jamie Fletcher founded Radio News Hub in 2014 having met at Sky Sports News Radio. Radio News Hub provides news bulletins to over 400 radio stations across the UK and beyond. Learn More About Radio News Hub and find Steph and Jamie on LinkedIn.During our conversation, we talked about:The power of twoWhen to step in and when to step backMaintaining standards without micromanagingAlignment on mission and visionHearing, using and filtering feedbackConversation vs disagreementConstant dialogueNurturing long lasting relationshipsLearning from those around youThe importance of taking a breakTHEIR LETTER + QUOTESSteph and Jamie’s letter combined words of gratitude and appreciation for former employees with an invitation to stay connected, noting that to honour the past and to ensure continued success that it is crucial to put ‘people at the heart of everything you do.’“We talk openly with people about what they want to achieve and how we can help them achieve that.”+“I’ve always likened it to running a marathon. You need someone to run with who is experiencing the peaks and troughs at different times.”+“Your contribution left a lasting impression.”+“Because we have the constant conversations we come to the conclusions naturally because we’ve talked it through at length.”+“People are you best PR.”+“Everybody I meet I like to learn and take something from them.”+“Switch off at some point. You don’t always have to consuming.”On our sister podcast, Towards Leadership, we will look in more detail at tools, reflections and practical application of the ideas, insights and inspiration we get from our guests on Leadership Letters. An episode focused on Jamie and Steph’s insights will be coming soon. If you are already subscribed to Leadership Letters, look out for it in your podcast feed.SUBSCRIBEThe Leadership Letters and Towards Leadership Podcasts are produced by Anything But Footy. You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, or wherever you get your podcasts.