Building Leadership Momentum from All Sides: Dr Michael Spence

This week’s quote comes from last week’s Leadership Lab interview with Dr Michael Spence, President and Provost of @University College London, where he discussed the importance of fostering a dynamic and inclusive approach to leadership:

A Visionary in Academic Leadership

Born in Sydney, Australia in 1962, Dr Michael Spence has been a pioneering leader in higher education, known for his inclusive leadership style and his ability to balance academic excellence with community engagement. Before joining UCL, he served as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney, where he championed policies that empowered both students and staff to have a voice in shaping the institution’s future.

Dr Spence’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that the best leaders engage with their teams at all levels. His approach recognizes that leadership is not about issuing directives from the top—it’s about listening, synthesizing ideas, and guiding the organization toward a shared vision that inspires action across all levels.

Leadership Grounded in Active Listening and Inclusive Vision

Dr Spence’s quote highlights a crucial aspect of leadership: the importance of balancing clear direction from leadership with the creativity and energy of grassroots efforts. His philosophy of active listening and bottom-up collaboration is a reminder that leadership is most effective when it encourages engagement, allowing individuals across all levels to contribute to the collective vision.

This perspective resonates strongly with the Laidlaw values of being #Curious and #Determined. Curiosity drives leaders to actively listen, absorb diverse insights, and understand the needs of the people they serve. Determination empowers leaders to maintain momentum and resilience, guiding their teams toward a shared goal while adapting to new ideas and challenges along the way.

A Call to Reflect

As we reflect on Dr Spence’s leadership approach, let’s ask ourselves: how can we balance clear direction with active listening in our own leadership journeys? How can we ensure that the vision we set is not only communicated from the top but also shaped by the voices of those around us? Leadership that combines direction with collaboration is the key to driving meaningful change.