What was your aim?
Having previously held a leadership position as Deputy Lead for Torbay Ultrasound without having undertaken formal leadership training, and ahead of a move to a new NHS Trust, I saw the programme as a great opportunity to develop my leadership knowledge and learn from experienced NHS leaders.
My aim was to understand more about my own strengths as a leader, identify areas for development and gain practical skills that I could take forward into my current and future roles. I was also particularly interested in the mentoring element and wanted to make the most of the opportunity to learn from a highly experienced NHS leader as I considered the next stage of my career.
What were the challenges?
One of the biggest challenges was reflecting honestly on myself as a leader, but this also became one of the most valuable aspects of the programme. Considering what had gone well, what had not gone as planned and what I might do differently in the future helped me develop greater self-awareness and confidence in my leadership approach.
The programme provided a supportive environment and practical tools to help with this reflection. The teaching days were well structured and engaging, combining input from SWITA and external speakers with interactive group work and discussion. This helped bring a wide range of perspectives and experience into the learning and made the programme feel practical and collaborative rather than purely lecture based.
What were the results?
I feel I have developed both professionally and personally as a result of completing the programme. I met so many wonderful people, both from my own field of practice and from other healthcare professions and learnt a great deal from their experiences and perspectives.
The programme has increased my confidence in recognising the leadership skills I already have, while helping me identify areas I would like to continue developing. I now have a broader understanding of leadership within the NHS and feel better equipped to contribute to teams, support colleagues and lead improvement.
The mentoring element was one of the most valuable parts of the programme. Having dedicated time with an experienced NHS leader gave me space to talk through my goals, reflect on my development and consider how I could apply the learning in practice. It was helpful to have someone outside my immediate working environment who could offer perspective, ask constructive questions and support me to think more strategically about my next steps.
I am confident that the skills I have developed, together with the professional relationships and friendships formed through the programme, will have a positive impact on my future career and the teams I work with.
What were the learning points?
Perhaps my biggest learning point was that you don’t have to be in a formal leadership role to be a leader.
The programme helped me explore the differences between management and leadership and filled important gaps in my knowledge in areas including financial and budget management, emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR), risk management and leading change. It also built on my existing knowledge of leadership styles, difficult conversations and leading quality improvement and research.
The 360-degree feedback process was particularly valuable. It encouraged meaningful reflection but was also a real confidence boost, helping me recognise the strengths and leadership qualities that others see in me and think more carefully about what I can offer a team.
Next steps
My next step is to continue putting what I have learnt into practice through further development opportunities, including online courses, shadowing experienced leaders and maintaining a reflective journal.
I intend to keep in touch with both my classmates and my mentor. The relationships formed through the programme have been an important part of the experience for me.
Most importantly, I intend to continue to lead even though I do not currently hold a formal leadership position. In the future, I would like to explore further leadership opportunities, whether these are within operational leadership, education, research or advanced practice. I am still learning about my own leadership strengths and where they might be best placed to shape the next stage of my career.
I am certain that the knowledge, confidence and relationships I have gained through the Multi-Professional Leadership Programme will be instrumental in helping me become the best leader I can be and achieve my future career goals.
For me, the programme was not just about learning leadership theory. It was about building confidence, developing self-awareness and understanding how leadership can be demonstrated in everyday practice, regardless of job title.
I would encourage anyone considering applying for the programme to take the opportunity. It has been a valuable experience that has supported my confidence, self-awareness and leadership development.
