Upon reviewing my application for this programme, I felt as if a lot of time and no time had passed. Previously, leadership, to me, was the ability to help those around me thrive in any environment they find themselves in. While I still think that statement is true to a certain extent, today, I believe that great leadership means being able to set yourself up with the necessary tools, so you are in the best condition to help those who are in need.

While it is imperative for leaders to lift people and bring out the best traits in them, leadership means having the self-knowledge and awareness to be able to know your limitations and act accordingly. Furthermore, a leader should have the capacity to exercise empathy whenever possible to meet their team members in the middle to achieve their intended goals. I experienced this first-hand in both my Leadership-in-Action project and my research project.

My Leadership-in-Action project was at The Fore, the UK’s first seed funder for small charities and social enterprises. My time at The Fore was an experience that I will always hold close to my heart. The organization's ethos places empathy at its core, shaping every facet of its operations. By intimately understanding the needs of their beneficiaries—charities—the organization streamlined processes, ensuring that support, from grant applications to post-grant evaluation, remained manageable for recipients. Similarly, my research project allowed me to engage directly with grassroots charities facilitating refugee integration, providing invaluable insights into authentic leadership.

These transformative experiences have profoundly influenced my conception of leadership, imparting lessons that I will carry forward into the future.

Reflecting on my journey over the past two years in this program, I've come to appreciate that there's no universal formula for leadership; it's a nuanced interplay of individual styles that leverage personal strengths.

In terms of my leadership growth, I have recognised the importance of empathy as a cornerstone of effective leadership. I've learned that critical thinking and utilizing existing networks are equally vital. Throughout both my Leadership-in-Action project and research project, I found myself in situations where I was unsure of what the next step was. Instead of facing the problems in isolation, I embraced the value of seeking input from my peers and expanding beyond my immediate circle. By capitalising on the power of diverse thought and collaborative thinking, I was able to solve the problems that I was facing swiftly and efficiently.

Moreover, this programme has served as a valuable platform for honing my research and project management skills. This is because it demanded a keen understanding of prioritization and efficient time management to navigate towards my objectives effectively. This experience has reinforced the importance of strategic planning and adaptability in achieving desired outcomes.

This program has been instrumental in broadening my understanding of what it means to be a leader capable of facilitating sustainable and impactful change, it has also equipped me with the essential skills towards bringing me one step closer to realising these aspirations. The invaluable lessons learned from the workshops conducted throughout the two-year programme have profoundly influenced both my professional and personal trajectory.

As I transition into my post-university career, I hope to carry forward the insights garnered from both my Leadership-in-Action and research projects. With the newfound skills learned through the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme, I aim to facilitate impactful and sustainable change, by ensuring that I always remain ambitious, brave and curious.