Leadership Stories 2019

Katie Dalton, Director, Cymorth Cymru

How have your life experiences helped make you the leader you are today?
At university I experienced mental health problems and didn’t know where to turn. Our students’ union offered me support and then encouraged me to get involved. I went from clueless art student to activist, somehow ending up as NUS Wales President. I then combined my new skills and personal experience by heading up policy and public affairs for mental health charity Gofal. But none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of others.

What have been your proudest moments since taking up your leadership role with Cymorth Cymru?
My proudest moment was finding out that our Housing Matters campaign had been successful and homelessness funding in Wales would be protected. Cymorth led the campaign, working with our members and partners to reverse government plans and safeguard the future of vital support services. It was a real team effort over an emotionally draining 12 months and we’re incredibly proud of the impact we made.

What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these times and from working with your colleagues?
I realised how incredibly lucky I am to be surrounded by a team of talented, passionate, and dedicated people and a hugely supportive Board. I learnt that standing up to power doesn’t get any less scary and difficult, but that’s what leadership is about. I learnt that other people’s compassion and support are invaluable and keep you going when things get tough. I learnt that partnership is critical – and together, we can have a massive impact.

Tell us about a time or two when you have had to display courage in your leadership role
I had to display courage during the Housing Matters campaign, as it required me to stick my head above the parapet and publically challenge decision makers. We also had to be brave in our decision to develop the PATH Training Programme, which supports housing and support services to embed a psychologically informed approach. We weren’t sure how it would be received, but it has been a huge success and is having a really positive impact on services throughout Wales.

What do you think are the biggest leadership issues facing us in Wales in 2019?
Addressing inequality. It’s appalling that we still have so much poverty and wealth inequality. It’s a disgrace that sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia are still so prominent in our society. In many respects, we seem to be going backwards. All leaders – political, third, public and private sector – need to reflect on what kind of Wales we want in the future and show leadership to help us get there.

Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
Elizabeth Andrews was a working-class woman from the south Wales valleys who left school at 13 but went on to transform the lives of women and children in mining communities. She was a suffragist and her motto was ‘Educate, Agitate, Organise’. She successfully campaigned in Parliament for pithead baths and established clinics, midwifery services and nurseries before the NHS was created.

What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Authenticity – it’s critical if you want to build trust and motivate people.

Sarah Hughes, Centre Head, Swansea, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres

How have your life experiences helped make you the leader you are today?
I have been a nurse for 36 years, spending 30 years in cancer care. I have worked in many different areas, including hospice care, acute care – as lead nurse for male cancers and now as Centre Head at Maggie’s Swansea. I’m passionate about improving the experiences of people and families affected by cancer. Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of working alongside many exceptional colleagues, who have actively encouraged me to question and not just ‘accept’. 

What have been your proudest moments since taking up your leadership role with Maggie’s organisation?  
The proudest moments include the significant increase in the annual number of visits to the centre, which has risen from 3000 to 14000. We are actively engaging more men, young people and families than ever before and I take great pride in creating a comprehensive support service that is used and valued by so many.

What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these times and from working with your colleagues?
The most helpful things I have learnt, and that I share with colleagues and collaborators on a daily basis, is to always encourage people to innovate; to find the courage to push boundaries, ask difficult questions and to continue to improve and evolve. I’ve also learnt the power of ‘sharing’, innovation is infectious and can multiply the more it is talked about and shared. 

Tell us about a time or two when you have had to display courage in your leadership role
Recently I noticed in our work at Maggie’s that families weren’t getting sufficient support, particularly the children. Although predominantly an adult service, we dared to pilot a dedicated children’s counselling service to meet this need. We recruited an exceptional individual to deliver this support and worked in partnership with Clic Sargent to strengthen our offer to young adults. This service has proved transformational for those that used it. 

What do you think are the biggest leadership issues facing us in Wales in 2019?
Within the public sector, and particularly the NHS, I think this biggest leadership challenge is within the workforce; keeping front line staff motivated, supported and looked after sufficiently to continue to deliver excellence. The pressures on individual teams are immense, and I’m passionate that we continue to support them appropriately so that quality is not only maintained, but continually improved and opportunities for innovation and collaboration with third the sector is harnessed. 

Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
Dr Gwen Davies is the Clinical Lead for Palliative Care in Swansea Bay Health Board. Gwen has an enormous capacity for challenging and innovation and has inspired me greatly. 

What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Challenge  

Helgard Krause, Prif Weithredwr / Chief Executive Officer, Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru / Books Council of Wales

How have your life experiences helped make you the leader you are today?
I was born in Germany close to the French border, an area which experienced enormous conflict, but I experienced first-hand all the positive changes in Europe since.  Witnessing the fall of the Berlin wall, living in Moscow and Brighton, working internationally all expanded my appreciation of diversity and the importance of cultural context when connecting with people. I remain curious in what motivates people, and all this informs my leadership.

What have been your proudest moments since taking up your leadership role with Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru / Books Council of Wales?
A personal intervention during a conference secured the funding from Welsh Government to support the translation of 50 books on Mental Health and Dementia into Welsh. This landmark moment means that Welsh speakers now have access to self-help books in their mother tongue. I hope it will inspire people to write their own stories, in their mother tongue, leading to more original and authentic content being created in Wales.

What have been the most helpful things you have learnt from these times and from working with your colleagues?
A compelling argument and passionate personal engagement make all the difference in winning support. To be bold and ask the question no one else is prepared to put forward, and not to assume that others “will take care of it”. You are only as good as the team helping you realise your ambitions and you must inspire them to join you on that journey, despite the challenges.

Tell us about a time or two when you have had to display courage in your leadership role
The recent tenders for magazine franchises were challenging; standstill funding vs an increase in new entrants the panel wanted to support; balancing the need for new content against the impact on existing recipients; taking decisions benefiting the sector whilst disappointing individuals.

I have been open about my sexual orientation throughout my career, and due to the profile of my current role my private life has become more public.

What do you think are the biggest leadership issues facing us in Wales in 2019?
I perceive a lack of natural confidence and self-believe which gets in the way of entrepreneurship, risk-taking and bold decision-making at times. It concerns me that the language is still a divisive issue for some, and that bilingualism is too often seen as a burden and not the opportunity it presents. Unless the latter is addressed it will be harder to prosper as a confident, forward-looking and globally successful society.

Which other leaders in Wales do you admire and why?
I discovered the achievements of Betty Campbell only recently.  Her life – the hurdles she overcame as a young black woman in the 50s and 60s to achieve professional success against the odds whilst making a tangible difference to the lives of young black people – is truly inspiring.

What is one word that sums up leadership for you?
Persuasive