My understanding of leadership has developed significantly. I had had internship experiences prior to Laidlaw, but none in a significant position of authority. While I used to think leadership was a position of authority—about guiding others, making strategic decisions, and setting a vision for success- my experiences, particularly in the LiA and my international research, have reshaped my ideas. Now, I see leadership as a shared, adaptive, and learning-driven process that improves with collaboration, resilience, and inclusivity.
Furthermore, working in an interdisciplinary team during the second-year project has showed the power of distributed leadership. Due to the nature of our work, almost entirely online and spread out across time-zones, it became evident that that leadership is not about one person taking charge but about leveraging collective expertise. True leadership means knowing when to step up and when to step back, creating space for others to contribute and lead in their areas of strength.
Through my experiences in Athens, I learned that leadership requires adaptability and flexibility. Navigating a new culture and language which I had had little exposure to, engaging with different research methodologies, and problem-solving in real time showed me that leadership is about listening and the continuous learning experience as much as it is about directing and deciding.
Over the past three years, my leadership skills have evolved significantly, shaped by my Laidlaw training sessions, LiA project, and research project. Initially, I saw leadership primarily as a structured role—focused on strategy, decision-making, and vision-setting. However, through my experiences, I have come to understand leadership as a dynamic, relational, and adaptive process.
At Allia, I developed key leadership skills, particularly in communication, networking, and cross-functional teamwork. Working across multiple locations and engaging with founders from different industries helped me refine my ability to navigate different leadership styles and professional cultures. Assisting with the Impact Accelerator and networking events pushed me beyond my comfort zone, strengthening my confidence in public speaking and relationship-building—skills I initially found challenging. Additionally, working on the community engagement and mental health report helped me develop project management skills, ensuring I could balance research with real-world application.
My research project further refined my leadership skills, especially in collaborative and distributed leadership. Working with an interdisciplinary team reinforced the importance of leveraging different perspectives, learning when to lead and when to step back, and ensuring that all voices were heard.
Overall, I have grown into a more self-aware, adaptable, and collaborative leader, valuing leadership not as a position of authority but as a way to empower others and create lasting impact.
Completing the Laidlaw Scholarship Programme has been an experience that will benefit me personally and professionally. This programme has introduced and reinforced my belief in collaborative leadership, adaptability, and ethical decision-making. Through my research, international experience in Athens, and work at Allia, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of global challenges and the importance of interdisciplinary, cross-cultural engagement in addressing them. These experiences have equipped me with the mindset to approach problems holistically, listen actively, and work towards solutions that are inclusive and sustainable.
I believe that the programme has given me a strong foundation in research, project management, and strategic leadership—all of which are critical for my future career. Skills such as synthesizing different perspectives, communicating complex ideas, networking effectively, and navigating diverse professional environments are skills learned that have already come in handy, and doubtless will in the future as well.
Perhaps most importantly, the programme has instilled in me a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership development - I now see leadership not as a fixed role but as a continuous process of learning, adapting, and empowerment. Whether in future academic pursuits or professional roles, I will carry forward the values and skills cultivated through this experience, ensuring that I lead with purpose, empathy, and impact.