CNWL holds 21st Century Leadership Programme celebration for first cohort of graduates

CNWL invited participants in the first 21st Century Leadership Programme (21CLP) to Friends House in Euston, bringing together learners, senior leaders and the wider team to sum up and celebrate the good work they have completed over the past 12 months.

The session opened with a message from CNWL’s Chief People Officer, Charlotte Bailey, who spoke about how proud she was of the learners and the Trust for being able to make the programme such a huge success.

Ryan Kemp, CNWL’s Director of Therapies and one of the programme’s lead directors, then had a conversation with William Sakala, Goodall Division’s Director of Nursing, about William’s journey from working in the gold mines of Zimbabwe to a senior leadership role at CNWL.

William spoke about the times in his own career where he doubted his own ability and the importance of having a strong support network to help you through those difficult periods and become a better leader.

“Imposter syndrome is totally normal,” he said. “It’s about reaching out to people – family, friends and work colleagues – and seeking that reassurance. Because you can do it. Believe in yourself.”

Participants then heard from the Trust’s Chief Executive, Claire Murdoch, who emphasised three key words: “Power, authority and influence”. She reminded everyone that, to be an effective leader, you sometimes need to ask for forgiveness and not permission.

“I can’t begin to tell you how positive I feel about having a room of people in front of me who are willing to break some rules. People who will think ‘senior leadership might want that, but they’re getting this’. People who are going to do it differently. And I can’t tell you how brilliant it is that we are putting the right people into positions of authority in the Trust.”

Claire then presented a £50 voucher to the winners of the 21CLP poster competition. A list of the winners in each category can be found below.

Robyn Doran, former CNWL Chief Operating Officer who now works in the Brent Health Team and is a lead director on the 21CLP, then interviewed Jo Rance, Deputy Service Director in Milton Keynes about Jo’s personal experience of compassion and self-compassion after working through a difficult period at work.

Jo spoke about how she was eventually signed off work by her doctor and, after a short break, realised that she was giving all of her compassion to her patients, colleagues, friends and family – everyone except herself.

After some self-reflection and with a new mindset, Jo was able to return to a leadership role and has since gone from strength to strength within the Trust.

In the afternoon, attendees split into their groups to discuss one of a selection of questions, focussing on the biggest challenges, areas of learning and what they are doing differently in their everyday roles now through undertaking 21st Century Leadership Programme. 

They were joined by Maria O’Brien, Chief Nurse, who presented each graduating participant with their certificate of learning and their 21CLP pin badge.

If you want to apply to a future 21CLP cohort, have a look at the dedicated page on Trustnet.

21CLP poster winners

Cohort 1:

Cohort 2:

Cohort 3: