If you never say no, what is your yes worth?

NLG: What main factors have helped you develop as a leader over the years?

PG: One of the greatest things that has impacted my leadership development is the example set by other leaders of what excellent leadership looks like. I have learnt so much from them and they have supported me and challenged me along the way. They demonstrated the significance of a leader’s role in listening to their people, always having their back and ensuring that individuals feel part of what is happening. Though difficult at times, I’ve learnt also what not to do and be like from various leaders - I think it’s important to look at everything as a learning opportunity, even the difficult moments.

Another essential factor is reflecting on my own practice as a leader and having people or a person with whom I’ve been able to do this. The life of a leader can get extremely busy and it can be all too easy to fail to make time and space to be reflective, but it really is invaluable. To have a trusted person you can talk things over with is so important as they can provide support, constructive feedback and challenge.

NLG: What are some of the most important qualities for a leader to possess?

PG: Leaders need to have a good level of self-awareness and not be afraid to admit when they’re wrong or have made a mistake. They need to demonstrate integrity, honesty and have a high commitment to the job or task that they are doing. Being relatable and taking an interest in your people is of paramount importance; I never want people to feel like they are just a number but rather that they are valued, listened to and appreciated. It’s important for leaders to have a team mindset and develop people’s strengths, you must always be on the lookout for what else you can bring out of someone. But it’s also caring for and seeing each individual as a person, not just seeing what they do but valuing who they are.

To have a trusted person you can talk things over with is so important as they can provide support, constructive feedback and challenge.

NLG: What do you enjoy most in your leadership role?

PG: I love the people I work with, the staff and colleagues that I work alongside, the parishioners and the community. I thoroughly enjoy it when everyone is working together as a team to bring an idea to fruition. It is such a wonderful feeling and a great sense of achievement when together you can look back and see the vision materialise.

I think it really helps when leaders have a genuine love for what they do and I love what I do. It’s great to help people to understand the faith more clearly and see how the Scriptures apply to our everyday lives, whilst providing space for people to question and challenge these ideas. Leaders of any organisation must invest and inspire their people, allowing them the safe space to ask questions and sometimes challenge existing practices.

NLG: What is one of the greatest challenges you face as a leader?

PG: A big challenge that I faced was at the time when women were allowed to be ordained in the Church of England - learning to cope with people’s disapproval and rejection of the authority I’d been given wasn’t easy but it did develop my resilience skills. This underlies an ongoing challenge of the art of living in disagreement - finding a healthy place to work alongside other people who have opposing opinions and very different thoughts. Leaders need to surround themselves with people who agree with them or who are like them but celebrate diversity and learn to dwell in harmony, accommodating one another’s views without animosity. 

NLG: What is the best advice you would give to a learning leader?

PG: Be true to yourself. Hold to your values and the things you hope for. Don’t try and be something you’re not. It’s easy to allow other people to pull you away from your true self but stay authentic to who you are and what you do. I’d also highlight the need to take care of yourself as a leader, ensuring that you build things into your life outside of your work. Leaders need to look after their whole selves - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Do things that make your soul flourish and thrive. Burnout is all too common and at times it’s difficult to juggle everything. If you never say no, what is your yes worth?