For the penultimate Aurora session, the Northern cohort met in person for the first time. As our final facilitator-led session it really felt like the end of the Aurora programme. We met in the Queens hotel in Leeds and it was quite an experience being in such a big space with so many people. There was definitely a buzz and an energy that I don’t think you could have created online.
The event included a panel Q&A and several presentations that we then took back to our table for further (albeit brief) discussions. Some of the things that struck me as interesting from this day included:
We’re just starting our leadership journey
There was a definite emphasis on how we can keep up the momentum that we’ve generated through doing Aurora, continuing to be reflective and self-aware, as well as proactively managing our career.
One suggestion I particularly liked was that we make a note of our “light-bulb moments”. I took that to mean not allowing points of learning or self-awareness to slide by. Noting and then reflecting on them will allow us to build a better understanding of ourselves, and our environment.
Build a support network
Aurora has helped us make some connections with other Aurorans, and our mentors, but how can we continue to seek out new contacts and build a support network as we progress? I was struck by how this needs to be an active conscious process, and will change and evolve as we move through our career.
I’m planning on staying involved in the Aurora networks both at Leeds and from Advance HE, and remaining in contact with my Action Learning Set and my Mentor. However I need to think about what I’m looking to develop next and who I might be able to engage to help me.
We ARE the future
We’re all able to help shape the future that we want to see. As we progress and hopefully take on positions of leadership we should be using that opportunity to help promote a more equitable workplace. Be the change we want to see, and work to break down the obstacles we had to face ourselves.
Even with no conventional power we can still promote this. It might look like amplifying the voices of other women or people from minority groups in meetings, encouraging colleagues to apply for leadership roles, or taking on a mentor role ourselves.
And finally: Is there even such a thing as Leadership?
One of the Panel members Professor Linda Evans presented herself as leadership-agnostic and I thought it was an interesting viewpoint.
The suggestion is that leadership is a process, and doesn’t present as the few exerting control over the many, in a single direction. Influencing happens both ways, which means we are all leaders and can all exert influence. It doesn’t just happen through grand actions, but can often go without noticing, through micro gestures.
I really enjoyed the day. It was lovely to feel the energy of the Aurorans in the room and end the programme on a high.
I’d like to thank my table for really engaging with the work that we were tasked with, although I’d have loved to chat to you all for much longer!
