A big hello from me, Sherry Malik!
I first got involved with the Staff College when Meera (of the BALI fame!) asked me to come and talk about my leadership story, to one of the earliest cohorts of the BALI programme. A few years later, I found myself on the board which was my first insight into the breadth of support the Staff College was offering children’s service leaders. As a new DCS, I benefited from this support and eventually went on to qualify as a coach and mentor.
I became an associate when I retired from full-time work 4 years ago. Along with the work I do for the Staff College, I am a Trustee at the Internet Watch Foundation and the Social Work Awards, a Non-Executive Director of Dimensions UK, and Chair of Nottingham City Care Partnership. Retirement is proving to be busier than full-time work!
I do however keep my Wednesday afternoons to spend with my 10-year-old granddaughter – I pick her up from school and we enjoy our evening together. Grandchildren truly are the deserts of life! I also relax by cooking, (and eating!) reading, walking, and practising yoga.
I find it hugely fulfilling to coach or mentor a leader who is navigating challenges in their work, to support them to come out the other end, and to help them think through solutions. I feel hugely energised when I am coaching, being able to draw on my own experiences of working in diverse organisational cultures.
I also enjoyed hosting a three-part podcast for the Staff College, titled “Courageous Conversations about Race”, where I interviewed three amazing women – Rosemary Campbell-Stephens MBE, consultant, speaker, coach, and author, Kathryn Perera, Director of NHS Horizons, and Jo Davidson, Former Principal of The Staff College. If you want to listen: Courageous Conversations about Race | Episode 1: The Language we use, Matters – The Staff College | Podcast on Spotify
Finally, the annual Festival is a great place to showcase some of the new and innovative thinking colleagues bring to the Staff College. This year I am hosting a workshop Mastering the Art of Change” — Leading for the Future. Hope to see you there!