21in21

As a woman in business, and in a position of leading a team and managing projects and activities, I often reflect on leadership. What qualities does one need to strengthen to become a good leader? Is there such a thing as a “natural born leader”? Is there a difference between a good manager and a good leader? How do you make the step from a management role to becoming a leader? How do you lead, and take people with you, towards a common goal and shared vision? What are the differing leadership styles and how can you vary your style according to a desired outcome?

There is a plethora of content, resources, books, journals, podcasts and many more which investigate this theme, all with varying opinions, evidence and examples which we can use to support us as women in business.

However, often the information which resonates the most comes from our leaders themselves, how they got to where they are and what they learnt along the way.

Our Mentees on our 21in21 Programme have been matched with some fantastic Business Leaders, and they are already learning from their Mentors, and exploring some of these themes. Through our 21in21 initiative we want to take this a step further, to share learning and those inspirational stories, and in doing so include a wider audience in order to develop Coventry and Warwickshire businesses more generally.

We were delighted to deliver the first of these thought leadership sessions recently. We welcomed our guest speaker, Major Samantha Lucas-Floyd, to the first of our 21in21 Leadership Workshops, focusing on what it takes to be a good leader & mentor, and I hope it was a really engaging session for all who attended.

Keely Hancox, Operations Manager & 21in21 Lead

For more information on our 21in21 Programme, head to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/membership/21in21/

West Midland RFCA have a Board made up of some 20 people from across the region, which includes six County Chairs who offer a regional focus to West Midland RFCAs engagement work. Colonel Bob Carruthers OBE TD, the Chairman for Warwickshire, shares an overview about the Armed Forces in Warwickshire.

WM RFCA helps to promote the image of the Tri-Service Reserve Forces and Cadet Forces within the community

Defence engagement projects influence, promotes our prosperity and helps to protect our people. Defence has a strong tradition of delivering much more than just fighting power and the area of Coventry and Warwickshire follows in this tradition.

Locally the majority of the service units are Reserve units. The 2nd Warwickshire Volunteers raised a company in Coventry as far back as November 8th 1859 and now Warwickshire is home to the units of 159 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, 118 Recovery Company Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

People join the Reserves for many different reasons, and many find that their skills gained are transferrable between their civilian and military careers.

One Reservist who has benefitted from transferrable skills is Lucy Sewell, an Inspector with Warwickshire Police and a Major in the Army Reserve. She commented, “The Army has an effective way of developing you, both through formal training and mentoring. I enjoy the Army Reserve and have always made the most of the opportunities presented.

“The leadership exposure provided by the Army Reserve gave me the self-confidence to seek promotion in the Police. As a Captain came one of the highlights of my career when I deployed to Afghanistan as a mentor to the Afghanistan Police. This gave me the opportunity to use my skills and experience from the Police and military to benefit others.

“Being successful in a maledominated arena has been a challenge at times, during my service in the Army Reserve and the Police. I haven’t always been able to change the imbalance, but I have changed my outlook and learned to be the role model. I have worked with some amazing women; it certainly reminds you that you can get there too.”

If you are interested find out more about the Reserves Forces at www.wmrfca.org

Meet our Mentors We will be featuring Mentors in each edition...

“Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?”

Sarah Perry, Managing Partner, Wright Hassall LLP

‘Ignore that imposter syndrome and believe in yourself , don’t be too hard on yourself and appreciate what you can realistically achieve in a day. You don’t have to be at your best every single day.’ Helen Peters, Chief Executive, Shakespeare's England

‘You should be the leading lady of your own life.’ Navjot Johal, Programmes Manager, Coventry City Council

‘Take advice from those around you and seek out people that you aspire to be like and get them to support your career/life path. Find a coach/mentor early on in your career.’