Describe your role at LEO Learning.
There are three key parts to my role:
- Defining learning strategies: this is the nitty gritty where I get ‘under the skin’ of our clients’ businesses and define strategies that deliver real organisational change
- Leading a team of learning designers: supporting our talented design team to ensure that visions are realised
- Speaking about what makes effective learning: I love a bit of research and evidence
Which part of working at LEO Learning do you love most?
Every day is different. We’re constantly challenged and challenging, striving to do bigger and better things. ‘Good enough’ is never really good enough at LEO Learning, because we all recognise that we’ve got something to learn.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
You’re only as good as your last piece of work, so I couldn’t pick anything specific. It’s whatever is my current focus, because every task is an opportunity to be creative! I ultimately just want to change mindsets and behaviour – and our best work is often when people don’t even realise they’re learning. When we get good measurement strategies in place, it’s wonderful to be able to demonstrate that we’re making a difference for our clients, their people or their customers. And then find out how to improve, so we can make an even bigger difference in future.
Day-to-day, I would say I’m most proud when we’re working on something great and my team is having a blast at the same time. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing/hearing people come up with extraordinary ideas that surprise and delight each other. Having a good giggle while collaborating with colleagues and clients – doing brilliant work and knowing people are enjoying it to boot – that’s what makes me smile and feel very proud.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
I’m currently in my sixth year with LEO Learning, so I’ve definitely faced my fair share of challenges! The biggest? Probably learning to speak my mind. Believe it or not, once upon a time I wasn’t very good at it. Nowadays there’s probably quite a few people who would quite like to reverse the situation (haha)!
But seriously, I’ve worked with many truly inspirational colleagues who’ve supported me, coached me and taught me all kinds of things (and they know who they are). They’ve given me strengths that have not only enabled me to overcome challenges, but also created the fearless and tenacious challenge-seeker that I am today.
What are the three things you can’t work without?
- Good people
- A bit of fun or a sense of humour
- Technology (I can work from anywhere, plus it helps me connect with #1 to have lots of #2)
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A princess, before realising that I’m really a lot more free-spirited than that! Then a vet, before realising that I’m overly squeamish. Subsequently, a criminal lawyer, before coming to terms with the fact that I’m not quite argumentative enough. Later, a child psychologist, before accidentally falling into the wonderful world of learning for grown-ups who still have growing to do.
