In the sixth part of our Leadership Unlocked podcast series, Helene speaks to Professor Bernd Vogel, Director of the Henley Centre for Leadership, about the power of mentoring and feedback, but also hard work and determination. She also discusses the importance of showing up, not just for yourself but your team, not outsourcing your career, and the value of young employees and leaders. Having left school at 16 and not following a degree pathway, Helene is ruthless about equity and inclusion in the workplace and supporting social mobility.
“I think some of the things that we read, the diversity fatigue that people talk about, I'm more motivated than ever because of what I see, and the piece about equity is something that has a real personal meaning.”
She is also a firm believer in being humble, saying when you don’t know, and not forgetting to check your ego once in a while.
“One of the best characteristics of good leadership is humility.”
Throughout the series Bernd is joined by guests in senior leadership roles from all walks of life – including the media, retail, transport and governmental organisations – to share their leadership journeys, experiences, setbacks, learnings, and motivations, to inspire our audience.
Topics tackled throughout the series include: self-leadership and leadership as a platform; the importance of making tough choices; accepting and jumping on serendipity; the art of influencing; knowing when to get out of the way; the reality of self-doubt and setbacks; and questions around age and ego. Guests also share which leadership myths they would like to eradicate if they could, which produces some passionate responses.