In New Zealand, we have a hearty Māori Whakataukī (proverb) that my museum manager, Johnny, liked to narrate to the staff before shifts: He waka eke noa: “A canoe, which we are all in with no exception.” At the time, it felt like a simple team motto, but revisiting it now, I see it as a profound lesson in leadership. Leadership is not about standing at the front, waving a flag, or being the face of success. It’s about being the foundation of the waka, steadying it, and making sure everyone can paddle together toward a shared goal. Since my initial application two years ago, my understanding has deepened. I used to equate leadership with charisma or decisiveness, but my experience coordinating group research, managing remote tasks, and navigating unpredictable circumstances has taught me it is far subtler. Leadership is about listening as much as guiding, creating space for others to shine, and stepping up when needed, even if quietly. The letters I wrote to myself in Toby’s workshops reinforced this. I realized I often undervalue the behind-the-scenes work that actually moves teams forward. Leadership is iterative and relational: it thrives on trust, communication, and small gestures of support as much as big decisions. Today, I see it as a practice of shared responsibility, keeping the canoe balanced, everyone paddling, and the journey moving forward, together.
Over the past two years, my idea of leadership has evolved from thinking it’s about giving orders to realizing it’s about keeping the team moving smoothly, even when the waters get choppy. Coordinating our research project on overtourism across Barcelona, Lisbon, and Amsterdam taught me this in spades. Even when I couldn’t travel due to visa issues, I stayed involved by drafting the literature review, interview schedules, sending reminders at odd hours, and troubleshooting last-minute cancellations. I discovered that leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight, it’s about making sure everyone can do their best work. Working in a team of people from economics, sociology, and urban planning taught me to translate ideas between disciplines, mediate disagreements, and support teammates in practical ways. For example, I helped a teammate struggling with survey design by suggesting a few tweaks that improved clarity, and I organized a shared cloud folder so nobody lost hours hunting for files. Small gestures like these, I realized, often have more impact than grand declarations. I’ve also learnt to balance initiative with collaboration. I’ll take the lead when needed, but I’ve come to value letting others guide the conversation when they’re more expert. Today, leadership for me is about presence, reliability, and listening as much as guiding. It’s about keeping everyone paddling in sync, celebrating wins together, and knowing that the journey matters as much as the destination.
Completing this programme has had a transformative impact on both my thinking and practical skills, which I know will be invaluable as I begin my training contract with a Magic Circle law firm. One of the biggest changes has been how I process ideas. The interdisciplinary research projects and discussions forced me to think more clearly and critically, breaking down complex problems into manageable pieces and seeing connections I might have missed before. This clarity has improved not only my academic work but also the way I approach tasks and client issues in a professional setting. Another area of growth has been my communication. Working in teams across different countries and disciplines, and coordinating interviews remotely, pushed me to articulate ideas clearly and concisely. I became more confident explaining complex concepts verbally, whether in meetings or client discussions, and I learned how to adjust my language depending on the audience. The programme also taught me practical tools for productivity and focus. Using the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritise tasks was a game-changer, helping me distinguish urgent from important work, delegate effectively, and create realistic schedules, skills I know will be essential during my training contract. Overall, the programme has strengthened my ability to think strategically, communicate effectively, and manage responsibilities, skills that will directly support my growth and success as a trainee solicitor.