Firstly, if you’ve taken the time to click on this post, thank you for being interested in what I’m going to be talking about. I hope you’ll return again in the future.
I’ve been spending a fair bit of time thinking about what it really means to lead well.
Not in theory (eugh, not really my thing), not in books (although love a good read – especially if I’m in the sun) or frameworks – but in the reality of work. In the day-to-day moments where things get done, conversations happen, and people rely on you to do things well.
For me, leadership isn’t about position, role or rank.
It can be in the quieter, more subtle things…
In someone taking the time to recognise a good piece of work (by actually verbalising it, not just thinking it!)
In offering support or advice when it’s needed.
In creating opportunities for others.
In leading by example, even when no one is really noticing.
And when others aren’t leading well, it becomes even more important to take responsibility for how you show up and be the example you want to see.
It’s not always the loudest voice in the room. In fact, often it isn’t.
It’s the small, consistent actions that have an impact on how people experience their work – and I think everyone is leading in some way, whether they realise it or not.
Hence the name… “Leading in Practice”.
Purpose in practice
All of the work I’ve been part of has been ‘purpose-driven’. When I talk about purpose-driven work, I mean being connected to the reason behind what you do – knowing that your work matters to someone, and letting that shape how you do what you do.
When you’re connected to a cause, people really care about what they do. They want to make a difference. There’s a strong sense of responsibility – not just to the work, but to the people who rely on it.
Throughout my career I’ve seen (and been on the receiving end of) how often people aren’t fully supported or empowered to work at their best.
There’s a gap between what people are capable of and what they’re able to do in practice. And when that gap exists, it doesn’t just affect individuals – it affects the quality of care, support and outcomes for others.
That’s an area I definitely want to explore more.
Why now
I’ve almost completed the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 7 Coaching and Mentoring Diploma, so this felt like the right time to create a space to reflect on that alongside my leadership role.
Not as someone with all the answers, heck no, but as someone learning.
I’ll share my experience of the course – what it involves, what I’m learning, and what it’s actually like to go through it. I looked for something similar before I started the course and couldn’t find a lot of personal experiences to read, which would have helped me understand what I was signing up for.
I’m also interested in what it means to bring coaching into an organisation and I’ll be reflecting on my own experience of trying to influence and build a coaching culture in practice.
What this will be
This will be a space to explore what leadership and coaching mean to me.
It definitely won’t be perfect, and it won’t always be everyone’s perspective – but it will be honest.
I’ll be writing about:
- what I’m learning through coaching
- what I’m noticing in leadership
- the challenges of trying to do your best
- and how all of that affects the people we work with and support
Mostly it’s about understanding how we can perform at our best in the work – not just for ourselves, but for others.
A space to connect
A big part of why I’ve got to this point is because of other people.
Over the years, I’ve reached out to many people for advice, support and perspective – and those conversations have made a real difference to me.
I’d like this to be a space where that continues.
If anything I write resonates, I’d really value hearing from people – whether that’s sharing your own experiences, offering a different perspective, or just connecting.
A starting point
My background as a mental health nurse, and the time I’ve spent mentoring and supporting others, has always been about helping people.
This feels like an extension of that.
A way of supporting people who help others – and continuing to learn along the way.
I don’t have a fixed plan for where this will go, but at the moment it’s satisfying my need to write things and I hope it can be something useful for you too!
leading in practice 