🌟 Leadership in Action: A Transformative Journey in County Durham 🌟
As part of the Laidlaw Leadership and Action (LiA) project, I embarked on a six-week leadership experience with RTC North, aiming to identify supply chain opportunities and support businesses in County Durham. This project focused on fostering sustainable economic growth 🌍, enhancing awareness of the UK's Net Zero goals ⚡
🔄 A Shift in Perspective
The initial objective of the project was clear: to identify supply chain opportunities in key growth sectors such as renewable energy 🔋, electric vehicle production 🚗, and digital industries 💻. However, as the project unfolded, I realized that these goals required a more nuanced approach. Working with local business leaders, SMEs, school leaders, and community representatives, I gained valuable insights into how economic challenges were deeply intertwined with the region’s socio-economic realities.
The complexities within County Durham’s business ecosystem challenged me to adjust my thinking 🤔. For instance, while collaborating with Enterprise Made Simple (EMS), which supports businesses with training and funding, I discovered that many local entrepreneurs faced significant hurdles, from limited financial resources to a lack of entrepreneurial confidence. As Andy from EMS explained, many individuals are reluctant to leave secure employment to pursue business ventures due to the risks involved. "It’s a big thing to do. It’s very frightening," Andy said, underscoring the importance of providing tailored support to these aspiring entrepreneurs
It wasn't just about identifying opportunities in the supply chain but understanding the local community’s immediate challenges, such as resource allocation and skill shortages 🏗️. This adaptability in my leadership approach became a key theme in my development.
🤝 Stakeholder Engagement and Leadership Lessons
Collaboration with stakeholders was at the heart of this experience. Working closely with individuals like John Heslop, a business advisor at RTC North, provided me with a detailed understanding of the local business landscape 📊. In addition, interviews with the Durham Business Growth team and local SMEs illuminated the diverse perspectives on sustainability, particularly the "expectation gap" between top management’s strategic focus and SMEs’ immediate needs 🌱.
Through my engagement with EMS, I also learned the importance of an adaptive leadership style. EMS doesn’t follow a rigid path; instead, they use what Andy referred to as "design thinking"—a dynamic, flexible approach to identifying business opportunities. EMS's training approach is far from traditional business support models that rely heavily on long-form business plans. As Andy put it, "Business is only as good as its people and motivation." The same applies to leadership: adaptability and motivation are key to success
Navigating these different viewpoints highlighted the importance of empathy in leadership. I tailored my communication style to ensure that stakeholders—from local business owners to SMEs—felt heard and supported 🎤. Learning to delegate and coordinate across various moving parts—from literature reviews 📚 to stakeholder interviews 👥—taught me how to leverage team strengths and external partnerships to achieve collective goals 🏆.
🌱 Reflection on Impact and Sustainability
The immediate impact of the project was measurable in terms of raising awareness about the UK's Net Zero goals 🌍 and providing actionable strategies to reduce carbon emissions for local businesses. More importantly, I realized that the insights gained could have long-term implications for sustainable economic growth 🌿 in the region.
Working alongside organizations like EMS also opened my eyes to the vital role of funding in driving business growth. EMS's Funding Hub supports businesses not just through their launch phase but through continued growth. For example, they assisted a steel engineering company, helping it expand to a £4.8 million turnover and now seeking £1.8 million for further acquisition. These kinds of strategic investments are crucial in building sustainable businesses, something that I am keen to explore further in future projects.
This experience has inspired me to explore how these findings can be integrated into broader development plans for Durham 🏙️, and I am eager to discuss these possibilities with my professors and peers 📚.
🏞️ Working in an Unfamiliar Environment
One of the most transformative aspects of this project was working in a community with challenges different from my own. Immersing myself in County Durham’s business and community networks offered me a fresh perspective on leadership in action 💡. By understanding the challenges of economic inactivity, skill shortages, and resource constraints ⛓️, I developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of tailored, context-specific interventions 🎯.
Engaging with local entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved communities, provided me with practical insights into the limitations faced by SMEs. Many business owners struggled with access to finance or business strategy, which EMS is actively addressing through programs like Etch, a creative hub that supports over 250 creative businesses. Witnessing these initiatives in action has sparked my interest in how business support systems can be more inclusive and responsive to community needs.
🏁 Conclusion: A Continual Journey of Growth
As I reflect on this project halfway through, I can already see its profound influence on my personal and professional growth 🌱. The skills I’ve developed in adaptability, collaboration, and resilience will undoubtedly serve me in future leadership roles 🌟. Looking ahead, I am eager to continue working with RTC North, EMS, and local community leaders to solidify the foundations laid during this project and contribute further to the sustainable and inclusive economic development of County Durham 🤝🌍.
Through these experiences, I have not only grown as a leader but also deepened my understanding of the critical role that organizations like EMS play in empowering local communities and businesses to thrive.