People & Skills 

18 April 2019

Calling All Leaders in Wales – Are You Daring to Lead?

Members of North Wales’ business community listened to first hand lessons on how transformational leadership can deliver real change and be the kind of leadership that will help Wales build a bright future at the launch of the 2019 Leading Wales Awards®, in association with The Institute of Leadership & Management last week.

The launch was hosted by Coleg Cambria’s CEO, David Jones OBE, himself a former winner of a Leading Wales Award in 2008, at the organisation’s impressive Northop campus, which is home to their Business School.

The keynote speaker was Gemma Morgan, a former captain who was the first woman soldier to be awarded the Carmen sword, following on her time in Kosovo. Also, a highly successful sports woman, she captained the Welsh lacrosse team for some seasons and is still involved in the sport as a coach for the Wales Under 19s. Gemma is now a coach and speaker; she has a clear mission to encourage others to connect with the humanity of leadership.

Gemma, from Monmouthshire,  shared her story of operating deep inside Kosovo prior to the NATO campaign where her leadership was tested amidst the harsh realities of human conflict and the leadership challenges she faced when she came home and suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“No single leadership profile or definition exists, so how do we go about recognising and developing leadership potential?  Where do we start?”

she said. 

“In my experience, it takes more than the right knowledge, skills and capabilities to lead well. Resilient leaders inspire a deeper sense of meaning, trust and inter-connection between people. My starting point is in developing a leader’s self-awareness and sense of connection with others. Some see this as the ‘soft stuff’, but I believe it is the essential foundation upon which the operational tools of transformational leadership can be built.”

Barbara Chidgey, executive chair of the Leading Wales Awards Consortium, facilitated the event.

She said:

“Gemma is a hugely impressive and engaging speaker and facilitator.  She exemplifies courageous and inspirational leadership and was exactly right to start off our “Daring to Lead® in Wales” CPD series. Gemma connected with the audience and absolutely brought her experience of transformational and very human leadership to life. We are delighted to have her involved with the awards this year, both as a speaker and a judge. I love her quote: ‘Leadership has a human heartbeat … it’s the human heartbeat that keeps us alive.’

“The awards nomination period is now open and runs until 7th June. This year our theme is “Daring to Lead®”. We are seeking nominations of individuals in Wales (in all sectors and at all levels of responsibility) whose leadership is courageous, inspirational and transformational.”

 Nominations are encouraged from all walks of life across Wales. Tell us about someone you know whose leadership is making a real difference to you, in your workplace, community or voluntary group. Put them forward for a Leading Wales Award. Log on and download nomination documents in English from  https://leadingwalesawards.wales/nominate-2019/      They are also available in Welsh from https://gwobrauarwain.cymru/nominate-2019/

More Skills Wales:


7 October 2024

7 October 2024

7 October 2024

7 October 2024

Related Posts: