Standing on the shoulders

April 2024

I’m feeling nostalgic and full of gratitude. 30 years ago today, I started my first proper job in London. The role manager was responsible for hiring, and chose people based on potential, not age, gender or the right school. He gave me a chance.

I slept on the lounge floor at a friend’s house until I could find somewhere (awful) that I could afford to live. She made it possible.

And I learned. From some of the best people I’d ever be fortunate enough to meet. I learned I could be bold and take chances because my leaders were supportive and trusting. I learned that hard work and creativity would be rewarded with recognition and progression. I learned I could hire the way I was hired, giving people a chance. I learned I could trust my team because I was supported and trusted too. I learned I could  meet challenging situations and people with understanding (this one took a bit longer 😊). And I learned I could do my best work and be my best self because it was safe.

And now I encourage the leaders I coach and develop to experience, experiment, trust and understand. There is no learning in the comfort zone and the safer we feel to step out and step up, the greater our contribution.

I am grateful to the leaders who set me on my path. They were working with some very raw material and because of that I have learned that anyone can be anything with the right support. I’m grateful that because of the lessons they taught and the experiences they encouraged, I get to help others be the best they can be in return.