A visit to Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Visiting Saïd Business School, University of Oxford in recent weeks, and seeing a familiar face on signage representing Executive Education was a surreal and deeply humbling experience.

Participating in their Women’s Leadership Development Programme almost two years ago has shaped my journey in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. It also reminded me of the transformative power of investing in personal and professional growth and the enduring influence of positive leadership role models.

Leadership is about continuous growth, reflection, and the ability to inspire others - and I’m grateful to have been part of a programme that champions these values.

Impact from within

In 2022 I had the opportunity to take part in a powerful Executive Education programme - the Women’s Leadership Development Programme from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

I was honoured to be selected to feature in the school’s 2024 ‘impact from within’ campaign. The on-campus and social campaign showcases several alumni, sharing the transformative effect of their work.

I am deeply grateful for the recognition of my personal impact on female leadership as an Executive Coach and am inspired to continue partnering with current and future leaders as they transform from within, to create their own meaningful impact.

Shaping my leadership journey

While a significant part of my work has involved writing on behalf of others, I’ve often been hesitant to share my own perspectives with the wider world online. At the same time, somewhat ironically - speaking up, sharing their voice, and becoming more visible is exactly what I regularly coach other female leaders to do.

When I was approached by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford to write a blog about undertaking their Women's Leadership Development programme in 2022 however, I found it hard to say no. As I wrote, it reminded me of the relevance of becoming a stronger advocate for myself and other women in particular.

So I’ve decided to use this opportunity to reset and begin to share more of my thoughts moving forward, particularly as I feel so strongly about the need for women to have the backing and encouragement they require to realise their potential, both personally and professionally.

We each have our own ‘why’ behind our personal development journey - this experience gave me the space to reflect on my core values and reminded me of the importance of looking for opportunities to support one another and create meaningful impact, while aspiring to grow ourselves.

Shaping my leadership journey with power and impact

What is your definition of success?

What is your personal definition of success?  And why should it be your definition? 

If we are to buy into the messages we're bombarded with, it may appear success is about how much we have in the bank, the number of followers we have, or even what we have achieved by a certain age.  While there's nothing wrong with these things in themselves - are they standalone measures of true success?

There are numerous dangers in focusing on what others tell us equates to success. Not only do they have their own motivations, their view may not be realistic and we can easily feel disheartened if we look at where we are and assume we don't measure up. This can lead us to question what we're doing and whether we are 'good enough.’ We can lose our confidence and drive, maybe even giving up on our ambitions and dreams altogether because we're not yet where we 'should' be.

Are we successful only when others say we are?  History is full of examples of those now considered 'successful' who wouldn't be where they are if they had listened to all the 'no's' and knock-backs they received throughout their journey. It's also full of examples of people who may appear to have it all on the outside, but who are not truly happy.  

Michelle Obama famously said: "Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives."  Wise words, especially for those who possess strong intrinsic motivators that go beyond a monetary value.  That being said, finding a way to monetise our skills to sustain our work and make a difference, is an important accomplishment. However again, that doesn't necessarily mean we’re successful.

The truth is - there is no single factor that defines success but a combination of factors that make the difference.  So why is it important to take the time to define what success means to each of us? Why does it matter to create a personal success definition? 

A personal definition is valuable for a number of reasons.  Here are just three:

#1 Your definition is likely to change over time as your life circumstances shift, you develop yourself, and you become aware of what's important to you and the priorities that give your life meaning now. If you have a growth mind-set, change will be inevitable and welcomed.

#2 When it's your definition of success, it helps you avoid comparing yourself to others. This is dangerous because not only do each of us face unique circumstances, but what we see others achieving is only the tip of the iceberg.  We have no idea what it’s taken to reach that point, what else is going on in their lives, or even if they're truly fulfilled.

#3 It's your life, and your journey.  It's valuable to get inspiration, ideas and advice from others, but ultimately, you must make the final decisions of which path to take, and you will be the one to experience the results of those choices. Your life experiences have shaped you to this point and you possess unique strengths that only you can offer.

The beauty is - you have greater control than it may appear, a generous range of options, and endless creative license. This allows you to be more flexible, less hard on yourself, and to stop focusing purely on the end goal but rather, to enjoy the journey. To 'be'.  Along the way, you may decide to take a different path to what you originally intended, or even to change your destination altogether. And that's ok.  Because you define and create your success.  

So - is it time to re-think your personal definition?