Chief Executive’s Annual Reflections

2022 has been a year of real highs, with the expansion of our Leadership Academy, some incredibly powerful experiences on our programmes, and our best ever annual event, but we’ve also experienced some lows as we have explored the lingering after-effects of the pandemic and felt the sad loss of one or two Windsor friends.

The health and wellbeing of employees, staff motivation, working environments, and retention, are the current dominant themes on our programmes. From the consultation on our most senior leaders programme, it was concluded that polarisation (globally and within society) and the acceptance that it is becoming OK to lie, is leading to a breakdown of trust.

Over the past few years there has been a much greater focus on discussing the responsibility leaders have to society. It’s been a really positive shift and to reflect this we revisited our vision statement, earlier this year. Building on our ethos of ‘Good Leadership is Leadership for Good’, we added aspiration to the vision, which is now - “Exceptional Leaders, Leading for Good”. This supports our purpose of “Inspiring leaders to transform themselves, their organisation and society for the better”. This purpose is embraced within the programmes, as we see more and more evidence of participants setting their own objective to make a positive difference within their societal reach.

We have extended our own reach through partnerships with a number of different organisations this year, which has resulted in Bespoke programmes with the NHS, Muslim faith leaders, leaders within the Church of England, Network Rail, and The Institution of Civil Engineers.

Throughout all of our programmes, we are keen to record and report on how the experience makes a difference to both individuals and wider society. In March, Simon Whitbread took on our new role of Leadership Academy Director. He has introduced a new impact survey, sent to participants six months after their programme has concluded. This will draw out participant’s experiences and subsequent achievements as a result of attending our programmes. It is an important endorsement of our charitable status and is seen as a big differentiator by many organisations, especially those looking for ways to support their leaders in embracing the ESG agenda.

Simon is also looking at ways to engage more alumni after the programmes, building on our platform of webinars and workshops. We will also be developing a library of leadership articles, podcasts, and insights, and expanding our Coaching scheme launched last year.  

Our annual gathering, Windsor Leadership’s Question Time was exceptional this year. We had nearly 400 alumni and guests register to attend this face-to-face event in London. Speakers included the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary, former CEO of Nationwide, and former Chair of the British Medical Association Council. Their insights were incredible, reflecting on the present, as well as sharing some extraordinary challenges faced through the recent pandemic.

A live online poll taken during the event of all attending leaders showed that, from our list, the biggest impact expected on an organisation’s performance in 2023 would be the Economic Crisis and Trust in the Establishment, eclipsing the Environment and Social Mobility. Trust is back at the top of the agenda, as once again, dissent and dissatisfaction within some sectors dominates.

Windsor Leadership’s focus on responsible leadership could not be more relevant!

We are really looking forward to 2023. It will be an exciting year for alumni engagement with our workshops, webinars and the growth of the Academy. I am eagerly anticipating the results of our impact survey to see just how much we are affecting leaders to think more about their role and responsibility, not just to society, but to their organisations as well. The key focus must also be on self, and I once again remind you to look after yourself as well as others. As the New Year approaches, why not consider committing to a resolution to look after yourself better, and doing one thing differently that will have a positive impact to your organisation or wider society…or both! But first, find time to have a well-earned break, some festive fun and have a wonderful Christmas.