Doing it a different way
Written by Jo Youle OBE
By Jo Youle, CEO Windsor Leadership
As I sit here on a Sunday afternoon, collecting my thoughts for this blog, I am drawn to the past - my own journey so far and my long-since-gone grandma's story.
In looking back, I’m thinking about past experiences and then springing forwards, which feels apt as I begin week three as CEO of Windsor Leadership.
As a former songwriter, pianist, and performer in the music industry I wrote my own anthem in the 1990’s. Me and Cheryl, my writing partner and fellow musician - doing it a different way. A song that floated, then soared then roared. Our publisher backed us brilliantly until he didn’t. “Stop writing love songs” he told us. “Make it indie”. So, we went away, got over him and ourselves, and came back with an indie song aptly named ‘Independent Love Song’.
It’s been playing on my personal jukebox ever since. The lesson? Write your own song.
Easy to say. Harder to do.
In a few weeks I’ll be leading our Women in Leadership Programme. We’ll gather in the embrace of Windsor Castle’s walls – safe, free to talk, to reflect, to imagine what our leadership could be in 2026 and beyond.
There will be stories to tell.
Like from my early days as CEO at Missing People. I was challenging a senior man, ever-so-diplomatically, when he turned, looked at me and said slowly:
“Oh, you’re a clever little bear”.
Because I was so focussed on maintaining this important relationship, I took the sting. I got over it with the solidarity of a female colleague, talking it over together, shocked, with ‘laughing-crying tears’. Since, I’ve rehearsed my perfect retort over and over. I like to think I’d use it now.
When I think about female leaders, I think of my grandma, Vera. Born in 1917. Died in 1973. Just 57 - three years older than I am now.
I look like her. But our lives couldn’t be more different.
I inherited from her a tiny book, full of her writing – quotes, poems, prayers. A few by women. Including a beautiful piece called *The Secret of Life, by Peggy Bland. I wish Vera knew how deeply I cherish her curated words.
She worked in the famous Sheffield Knife Industry, part of the post-war women’s workforce - sharpening knives. And sharpened knives were needed in more way than one. Because it wasn’t until 1928 that women gained the same voting rights as men. It wasn’t until 1970 that the Equal Pay Act was passed. And only 2 years after she died did it finally become illegal to discriminate against women at work.
It was Vijaya Nath – Trustee, ally and champion who nudged me write this blog for International Women’s Day. A generous supporter who shares her time, expertise and energy to lift us – me - up.
For me, there’s a theme running through all of this, that of friendship and the circle of strength created by fabulous women and our forebears.
And so, it feels right to leave the final word to Peggy, another woman whose quiet wisdom has travelled further than she ever may have known. Sadly, she doesn’t come up on Google, so I don’t know who she is. But she left us this:
*The Secret of Life
Unless you seek the joy there is in living, and learn to find the best in every day
Unless you know the pleasure gained in giving, you’ll never feel the sun shine’s brightest ray
Unless you try to lose a heart of sorrow, and spare the time to share another’s load
Unless you look toward the bright tomorrow, and scatter seeds of friendship on the road
Unless you keep the lamp of faith well burning, and make your hope sincere and strong and true
Unless you take an honest joy in learning, the daily lesson’s life presents to you
Unless you count these things the greatest treasure, and be yourself, the best that you can be
You’ll never taste of life in richest measure or win the great and final victory.
Peggy Bland
Learn more about International Women’s Day and the upcoming Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Link to https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/media-advisory/2026/02/iwd2026-and-csw70
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in Blogs, Articles, Podcasts and Videos posted on Windsor Leadership’s website and social media channels, remain the opinions of the individuals and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Windsor Leadership. Windsor Leadership does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information shared. We hope however that the views prove to be useful in reflecting on the challenges of leading today.
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Disclaimer:
The views expressed in Blogs, Articles, Podcasts and Videos posted on Windsor Leadership’s website and social media channels, remain the opinions of the individuals and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Windsor Leadership. Windsor Leadership does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information shared. We hope however that the views prove to be useful in reflecting on the challenges of leading today.