In my application to this programme, I remember stating that leadership was a complex role in which, a leader was only as strong as their weakest team member. Two years later, I still completely believe that statement to be true and now I have experiences to attest this to.

As a leader, you have to be able to not only manage a team but yourself too as your actions, attitude and cadence also play a major part in how the team functions. It is important to recognise that a leader isn’t an ‘omniscient’ being but also works with others to achieve results – this is what makes the best type of leader. They call on others for help, utilise the skills around them and motivate others to also step up and shine.

I think, for me, the role of the leader is almost like an organiser – both exogenous but endogenous to the journey; overseeing the process but also being active in its creation. A leader cannot distance themselves from the work needed to creative something great.

So overall, a leader is someone that cares for others and enthusiastic in the work they have been set out to lead and the people involved within it. They strive for greatness and that is the type of person I want to be.

In my two years of being part of this programme, I can firmly say that I have developed as a leader in many ways.

Referring to the Laidlaw attributes, I think that the skill I have enjoyed working on the most is ‘social and cultural intelligence and awareness’. Because of the Laidlaw Foundation, I have managed to travel to the US and Spain. Going without formal supervision allowed me to actively perceive foreign spaces by myself. It is integral for a leader to be able to build relationships in places foreign to them, it exercises navigation skills and allows them to build networks. I managed to do this through my experiences in both places.

Also, a skill I believe I already had but managed to put to good use even more during this programme is being and ‘effective communicator’. Apart from speaking and writing confidently, another way to demonstrate this skill is by using digital connectivity. With all members in my research project team being based in different countries across the world, this skill was vital in the completion of our work. In real life, it is common for leaders to have to balance time zones and different backgrounds; this scholarship gave me exposure into working in these situations, something I am grateful for.

I think the Laidlaw programme has given me, both domestically and internationally, an amazing network of people to talk to.

The status of even holding this scholarship has introduced me amazing alumni and useful advice about leadership that I will apply to the way I act in the future.