My 2022 Leadership Exchange – Fiona Liddle & Ann Rowe
What would it feel like to walk in the shoes of another? Our Leadership Exchange programme pairs leaders from across sectors to allow leaders to gain an insight into the different cultures, constraints and opportunities their counterparts work with. This is a unique opportunity to not only expand your networks but to walk in someone else’s shoes and see things differently.
We spoke to Fiona Liddle and Ann Rowe to hear how their 2022 exchange went, read on to find out more.
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Q1. Tell us a bit about who you are and your role in your current organisation:
Fiona: My name is Fiona Liddle and I live in Edinburgh. I am very lucky to have two grown up sons and love being involved in their news and family times. I have been very fortunate to work in organisations where I have been able to develop my knowledge and skills, whilst making life-long friendships.
My current role with MHScot Workplace Wellbeing involves delivering training courses and facilitating events. MHScot is a social enterprise focusing on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. It is always very rewarding to hear people describe how they are going to use the learning they have gained to develop a positive mental health culture in their own organisation.
Ann: My name is Ann Rowe. I live in Edinburgh with my husband, two children and crazy whippet. I’ve enjoyed over 20 years working in marketing communications. Over a decade of that has been working at a senior level in both agency and in-house roles spanning private, public and third sector.
My current role is Head of Communications and Membership at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, the membership body for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations. I’m responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications, and for driving the growth of and engagement with our 3000+ members.
Q2. Why did you apply for ACOSVO’s Leadership Exchange programme?
Fiona: Information about the Exchange described a fantastic learning opportunity and win-win approach. I was impressed by the attention to detail and this has proved to be the case with careful matching and regular follow-ups.
Ann: I was familiar with ACOSVO through my work and knew how much its members valued the support and networking on offer. I have always found a lot of inspiration and enjoyment from speaking to other people about what they do and how and the exchange programme seemed like the perfect opportunity for that.
Q3. Could you please tell us a little bit about your exchange?
Fiona: I was very fortunate to be matched with Ann Rowe. We first met virtually in November 2020 and have since met every 4-6 weeks. This has worked really well and fitted with our other commitments. It was also easy to arrange, particularly through covid restrictions. We have recently met in-person which was lovely and has enhanced the exchange.
Ann: I was matched with Fiona, we have met every 4-6 weeks since we were originally matched back in November 2020. We have always met online via video call and it has worked well for us as it made it very easy to work round other commitments and keep our contact regular which has helped to build the trust, respect and friendship that we have now. Yesterday, we met in person for the very first time since we were matched – it was lovely!
Q4. What key topics or themes were covered in your exchange?
Fiona: I have been interested in learning more about marketing and communications. I have linked this to my current working over the duration of the exchange. Tapping into Ann’s fantastic experience in this area has been really interesting and given me many ideas and points to take forward.
Ann was interested in learning about organisational planning and strategy. I really enjoyed sharing my experience and hearing Ann’s positive feedback and next steps. We have considered learning for our organisations as well as personal development. I have found this has made the Exchange valuable in many more ways than I had expected.
Ann: Fiona was keen to know more about marketing and what tools and techniques she and her team might be able to use at Mental Health Scotland.
I was keen to know more about organisational planning and strategy, and Fiona was able to draw widely on knowledge from her previous role at Quality Scotland to talk to me in strategic and practical terms about the EFQM model and parts of it that might apply or help me in my role.
Q5. What did you enjoy most about your exchange?
Fiona: The amazing opportunity to learn from someone, not in your own organisation who can contribute relevant and valuable insights and experience. Making a new friend/peer/virtual ‘colleague’/coach/mentor all rolled into one. The mutual respect and care I have found in working with Ann throughout the exchange has been empowering.
The flexibility to keep our exchanges current and focus on what is happening day to day as well as thinking ahead has been really valuable. Ann’s ongoing desire to learn and develop her thinking has shone through and has been a very positive influence.
Ann: During the pandemic, work became very insular. Meeting with Fiona was a lovely way to connect with someone who gave me a great deal of energy and positivity. It was a wonderful reminder to lift my head from my daily work and to look wider than my immediate environment for new knowledge, inspiration and ideas.
I got so much more than I expected from the exchange – as well as the specific focus that I had around planning and strategy, Fiona and I were able to create a supportive coaching relationship and bring different challenges to our sessions to work through with each other. We have carried our partnership on well beyond the end of our match as we both get so much from it.
Q6. What have you changed (or plan to change) about the way you work based on your leadership exchange experience?
Fiona: For all current and future work, I am now more aware of planning an appropriate marketing approach. This can reinforce ideas around using different methods to reach different audiences
The exchange has also helped me to see the value and relevance of my own skills and experience. Taking a step back and sharing my experience with Ann from several roles has been refreshing. I would encourage other people to do this from time to time.
Ann: I have learned new theories and frameworks from Fiona that I apply all the time now. It helps me to stand back from the daily work and gain perspective. That has helped me to be more strategic and focused.
Q7. What advice would you give those applying for the programme to ensure they get the most from it?
Fiona: When registering, consider areas in your current/future roles where you would benefit the most from someone else’s insight and experience. ACOSVO’s careful matching process clearly uses this information.
Bring current challenges/ideas/questions to each discussion. Keep a note between discussions, as and when topics come to mind. Balance the time during each discussion and agree the date of the next meeting.
Ann: Be clear about what you want from the process.
Be clear about what you can give the other person.
Prepare ahead of each meeting and agree at the start what you will focus on.
Give each other space to get what you each want.
Be yourself and be willing to explore your vulnerabilities and challenges so that you can get the most from the opportunity.
Q8. What does personal development mean to you?
Fiona: An essential part of life to keep ideas fresh and try out new ways of working and life in general. As a form of personal development, the ACOSVO Leadership Exchange is well managed and very worthwhile. I would say, ‘grab the opportunity’!
Ann: When I was younger, personal development was all about gaining knowledge and experience. About becoming an expert and building my toolbox.
Some of that is still true, but the real value for me now lies in questioning my thinking and assumptions and gaining opportunities to get different perspectives on the challenges I face.
If you would like to learn more about the ACOSVO Leadership Exchange Programme and apply for our next cohort then please visit https://acosvo.org.uk/benefits-and-services/leadership-exchange or contact us at services@acosvo.org.uk if you have any questions.