FROM COMMAND TO COLLABORATION

Gone are the days when being the boss just meant telling everyone what to do and woe betide anyone who crossed you. Today’s leaders have a much more complex role. On the following pages we meet some of the region’s most inspirational managers.

Leadership styles have evolved significantly over the generations, transforming from autocratic and command-based approaches to more collaborative and inclusive methods. The changing landscape of business, workforce diversity and the need for innovation have driven this shift, presenting both challenges and opportunities for leaders to adapt and thrive.

Traditionally, leadership was characterised by a top-down approach, where authority figures held all decision-making power and dictated tasks to subordinates. While this style worked in certain situations, it often stifled creativity, limited employee engagement and hindered organisational growth. The challenges of this autocratic leadership included high turnover rates, disengaged employees and a lack of adaptability to change.

With the advent of globalisation and advancements in technology, businesses began to recognise the value of diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership. This led to the rise of democratic and transformational leadership styles, where leaders fostered open communication, encouraged input from team members and motivated employees to reach their full potential. Collaborative leadership empowers employees to take ownership of their work, fosters a culture of trust and accountability and ultimately drives innovation and productivity.

Emotional intelligence

While collaborative leadership brings many benefits, it also poses challenges for leaders to navigate effectively. Decision-making processes may take longer, as leaders seek consensus from team members. Additionally, managing a diverse group of individuals with varying skills and backgrounds requires strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

Leaders must strike a delicate balance between providing guidance and allowing autonomy, ensuring that employees feel supported while still having the freedom to innovate and experiment. Furthermore, the modern workforce increasingly values purpose-driven leadership. Employees seek leaders who align with their values and demonstrate authenticity and empathy. A good boss understands the importance of work/life balance, promotes a positive company culture and invests in the professional growth and development of their team members.

Today’s leaders also face unique challenges in managing remote or hybrid teams. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward remote work, emphasising the need for virtual leadership skills.

A question of trust

What makes a good boss, regardless of leadership style, is their ability to inspire, communicate effectively and lead by example.

A good boss values diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where every voice is heard and respected. They provide support and guidance while also empowering employees to take ownership of their work. Trust is a cornerstone of their leadership, as they trust their team to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions. As we move forward, the best leaders will be those who can strike a harmonious balance between authority and collaboration while embracing the uniqueness and potential of each individual.

Inspiration and determination

One person who has successfully combined inspiration with determination is soldier and survivor, Welsh Army veteran Simon Weston CBE. He was among the special guests speaking to graduates from Bangor Business School who gathered to celebrate the completion of the ION Leadership Programme’s final cohort. More than 440 business managers and owners from over 250 organisations have completed the programme since 2016 – and Simon was among those to congratulate them on achieving the accolade.

Simon’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Left with serious burns to 46 percent of his body during the Falklands War in 1982, he turned negatives into positives to become a success, despite poor leadership from his bosses at the time.

He said: “I remember when I first got injured all those years ago, being written off by the man who was supposed to help me find a new way forward. I remember how bereft I felt. I was sitting on my hospital bed and wondering what the future held. I couldn’t see where it might lie but I thought that all I could do was try to make a difference, to make a positive contribution to my life and to the lives of those around me.

“All you have to do is find your relevance in life and you are on that positive path through education and investment in yourself. Anything is possible, don’t stop, don’t give up, don’t ever let anyone shatter your dreams.”

Nicola Sturrs, business development manager for ION Leadership, thanked everyone for their support of the Business School programme over the past seven years.

She said: “It has been a real privilege to work with so many amazing companies across North West Wales,” she said. “Those who enrolled on the ION Leadership programme and our other courses understand the importance of upskilling their staff, as well as the benefits that networking and professional development can bring.”

Business: Felinhoneybees

Phone: 07725 645 899

Email: info@felinhoneybees.com

Web: www.felinhoneybees.com

What does your business specialise in?

Bee removal, bee therapy, honey production and pollination.

What is the secret of being a good boss?

Being understanding and fair. Always listen and guide your team into believing you can achieve anything. Share your passion with your team.

How has your business adapted since Covid?

We had the perfect social distancing job in Covid as not many people want to get close to 50,000 honeybees up a scaffolding on a roof with me in a beesuit!

What new developments have you introduced recently?

We have expanded our team to enable us to do more specialised removals in roof spaces and walls.

What is the best way to keep customers coming back?

Be honest from day one. Don’t over-promise and under-deliver, and always leave every job knowing you did your best. If you’re not happy with it, you can bet the client won’t be. Finally, show your passion in what you do. I was lucky to turn my passion into a career.

How do you enjoy your spare time (if you have any!)?

I love spending time with my family and friends. The best thing anyone can give me is their time. It can’t be bought but it the most precious gift.

What’s the best and worst thing about running your own business? Waking every day knowing you are doing a job that you love. Running a company that becomes part of who you are is definitely a great feeling. Waking up every day and knowing that company is part of your.

What piece of advice would you give someone starting a business? Do what you love and money will always follow passion! It’s hard running a business but remember it’s a marathon not a sprint. If you want a 9-5 job, this is definitely not the path for you.

DID YOU KNOW?

The phrase “busy as a bee” was first used by Geo rey Chaucer in 1392, in his classic The Canterbury Tales. Perhaps he ran his own business too!

Business: MOOand BOOM; JB and BOOM

Phone: 07741 602 669

Email: maddie@mooandboom.com

Web: www.mooandboom.com

What does your business specialise in?

We are a sustainable lifestyle business with two stores in Whitchurch, one that has a café and studio space and retail, and the other is our men’s store. We stock brands who are with us on a journey, having a positive vision to have cleaner purchasing choices. We have unique pieces for yourself, your home and for gifting. We want every product you use to make you feel good, whilst also making a positive purchase towards a cleaner planet. Our café lends itself to vegan and gluten-free, and our studio space has classes that cover exercise, workshops and holistic practices.

What is the secret of being a good boss?

We have a very good team around us and as a family business we have learnt that everyone should have a voice – we are always sharing ideas with the team and vice versa. We think leading by example and encouraging innovation and being adaptable to change are very important. Our workplace is inspiring and we recognise that our employees need to have a good work/home balance, so we keep the way we work very flexible. Our workspace is a safe space for all and we encourage contribution.

How has your business adapted since Covid?

Our business started out of Covid and it has been amazing, we have gone from pop-up shop to two stores in less than three years. We are still wanting to grow and expand our business so we can reach more customers who want a choice of making a more positive purchase towards helping their carbon footprint.

What new developments have you introduced to your business recently?

The men’s store is our newest addition and it has been received very well, so if you have a husband, partner, father, brother or male friend who is setting up home, loves sustainable fashion, fab grooming products and quirky gifting, then JB and BOOM is the store for them! It is beautifully curated and Jonjo has a very keen eye for unique pieces, as well as a finger on the pulse for new and innovative brands.

What is the best way to keep customers coming back?

Customer service and honesty keeps customers coming back. We are very transparent with our business and keep our pricing as competitive as possible in this turbulent market. We are making improvements continuously so our brands are on point and fresh to the market. We feel we have an emotional connection to many of our customers and their support has been amazing.

How do you enjoy your spare time (if you have any!)?

Jonjo: I play golf and I also have a second job working in a local pub. I don’t get a lot of free time as setting up a business is very time-consuming. There’s a lot of work at the back end that nobody ever sees – photography, sorting stock and so on, but I love it.

Maddie: I love walking my dog Ernie and seeing friends. I love food and cooking so that is what I do if I get any spare time. I am super-busy with the business as it’s only in its infancy and there is so much more we want to achieve.

What is the best thing and worst thing about running your own business?

Jonjo: Best bit – the buying and curating of the store, I love it! The worst bit is when you’ve put so much effort in and you have a quiet week. That can dampen the spirits, but on a positive when it is quiet in store I do get lots of content done for all our social media platforms.

Maddie: Best bit – the freedom I have to make choices to benefit others. The worst thing is not having enough time for long, lazy holidays! But hey, that will come.

What piece of advice would you give someone starting a business?

Just do it! Have the idea, write down all the plus points and all the negative points, and if the positives outweigh the negatives then go for it. You know what they say: “You won’t know unless you try.”

If I hadn’t got myself out there, MOOand BOOM and JB and BOOM wouldn’t be on this amazing journey now.

DID YOU KNOW?

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) account for 99.9 percent of all companies in the UK. That’s a lot of businesses!

Business: Sawna Bach – The Scenic Sauna

Phone: 07762 930 803

Email: contact@saunawales.co.uk

Web: www.saunawales.co.uk

What does your business offer?

We are a beach sauna, currently located at one of the most picturesque beaches on Anglesey in North Wales - Porth Tyn Tywyn, near Rhosneigr. We offer sauna sessions for private groups or shared with others from £15 per person. Our bespoke wood-fired sauna seats up to eight. We move it seasonally to summer and winter locations, seeking the best views possible.

What is the best thing and worst thing about running your own business?

The best thing is that we made a big dream come true! We have brought sauna culture to Anglesey and North Wales.People have easy access to a high quality sauna right next to the sea, offering stunning views. The negative side of course is juggling our day to day work with the new business and family life as new parents. However, having a sauna session really helps us relax and recharge!

Business: Together4Children

Phone: 0300 111 8044

Web: www.together4children.co.uk

Who are Together4Children?

We are your regional adoption agency and a partnership of four local councils working together to provide better outcomes for children and local adopters.

Who are you?

My name is Ian Groom and the bit of adoption that I look after is supporting anyone thinking about adopting a child or brothers and sisters through those early stages of the process and helping them find out all the info they need.

What is the first step in the adoption process?

The first step is really easy – it’s to book onto a virtual adoption info event. They’re about every fortnight and we’ll tell you all about the children, the process and what we’re looking for in adopters. It’s online so you can do it from your own sofa! We don’t put anyone on the spot or ask awkward questions, just give the info needed to make an informed choice about whether adoption is the right pathway.

What piece of advice would you give someone thinking about adoption?

Be open-minded and just come along to an info event. Adoption has changed a lot in recent years. It’s now speedier to be approved, and also the nature of adoption has changed.

Where can you find out more info

The simplest way is via the website www.together4children.co.uk You can request a full info pack from there.

“We made a big dream come true! We have brought sauna culture to Anglesey and North Wales. People now have easy access to a high quality sauna right next to the sea, offering stunning views.”

What new developments have you introduced to your business recently?

Sawna Bach - The Scenic Sauna has become a really integral part of the local community. Over two-thirds of our customers are locals and many visit the sauna on a regular basis. To honor the loyalty and support of our customers, we recently introduced sauna passes offering up to 30 percent discount on shared sessions.

How do you enjoy your spare time (if you have any!)?

All three of us feel really connected to the beautiful Welsh landscape and love being outdoors - hiking, surfing, cycling or climbing. All of us are young parents as well, so we spend a lot of time playing outdoors with our children.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2021, there were 7,170 children being looked after away from home (in care) in Wales

Business: Hartey Wealth Management

Phone: 01691 654 613

Email: karl@harteywm.co.uk

Web: www.harteywm.co.uk

What does your business specialise in?

We provide independent advice to families and business owners on estate planning and wealth management, so they can enjoy a prosperous retirement, and helping to protect them if they become ill along the way –or their family if they die too soon.

What is the secret of being a good boss?

Over the 34 years since I became a boss a lot has changed. Firstly, you need to be able to adapt – I think of it as changing the sail according to the wind conditions. If you don’t, you’re not going to get to where you want to get to. Patience and understanding are also important, and having a big, shared vision of what your future looks like.

How has your business adapted since Covid?

Covid was a challenge to all of us in business. We adapted by adding a Discretionary Fund Management service for our clients to make dealing quicker and more efficient. I also spent time creating the ‘All I Need To Know’ series of books – eight books to help people understand the essentials about investments, pensions, and so on. The books are available at our offices free of charge.

What new developments have you introduced to your business recently?

Adding the Discretionary Fund Management service has been a huge development as it has bought many advantages to our clients, such as lower, discounted fees, speed of service, speed of switching funds, and navigating the investment world in challenging and uncertain conditions.

What is the best way to keep customers coming back?

We run a local independent family business with family values, which is important. We treat people warmly with respect they deserve.

How do you enjoy your spare time (if you have any!)?

My spare time is split between cycling and enjoying time with my dogs, Molly and Toby, which I find is great thinking time, and doing international car rallies such as the Gumball 3,000 – 3,000 miles across different continents over six days.

What piece of advice would you give someone starting a business?

I give respect to all those who start a business as 80 percent of businesses fail in the first five years, so it’s tough. But if you say please, say thank you, turn up on time, and follow through on what you say you’re going to do, it will set you apart. It will put you into the top 10 percent and that will provide success for your future. Just think about all the people you know who don’t say please, don’t say thank, don’t turn up on time and don’t do as they say – just set yourself

Sawna Bach - The Scenic Sauna