These tools are supplemented with a constantly evolving library of video and article content from renowned figures within education. That leaders–indeed everyone–practice empathy, kindness and respect–rather than a kind of Gotcha Leadership where everything is fine until you cross a line you didn’t know was there. The COVID-19 pandemic has, besides the health concerns, caused an unprecedented social and economic crisis that has particularly hit service industries hard.

Can we–and by we I mean history and heritage museums and sites–turn those individual actions and feelings into something collective? Recently I reached out to a younger colleague to ask if they would be interested in a newly-opened leadership position. Grow up: There’s a lot about adulting that’s ridiculously annoying: taxes, bills, being responsible, but like individuals, organizations need to grow up as well. Find details of upcoming Leadership Matters Conversations and catch up on past sessions on the Leadership Matters Conversations home page.If you’re a regular reader, you know I feel strongly about museum folk sticking around past their sell date.

Whilst reading this book I found myself reflecting and drawing on different experiences as a leader, recognising traits and qualities in other leaders and people I have worked with from the saints and stars to the sloths of teaching!He was subsequently responsible for setting up the government's flagship Teaching Schools programme. That museums and heritage sites, however small, develop HR policies, helping staff, paid and volunteers navigate workplace issues from happy things–like pregnancy and adoption–to moments of grief, to bullying and harassment. In 2009 he become a Director at the National College for School Leadership, leading on the London Challenge programme. Directors aren’t just leadership’s boss: Museum directors or presidents are responsible for the entire staff, not just the leadership team. And while this might be too Pollyanna of me, does the PMA settlement demonstrate museum staff have a voice, that their absence from work is meaningful, and negotiation is possible?

In my most optimistic moments, I’d like to think the museum field caught up, that it’s ready to talk about the fact that working in a museum may not be the Nirvana it sometimes appears from outside, but more importantly, I know there are folks out there whose experience and thoughts are more relevant than mine. Others feel the first priority on the road to organizational health might be to eliminate the person in the top spot. That museums and heritage organizations partner, collaborate and listen to their communities, who not only know what they like, but know their own stories. However, the book has a very honest tone throughout as Buck reflects and often admits his flaws, “my default reaction was to blame” and that he was “quick to make judgements”.Throughout his career Steve has been involved in large scale organisational change, leadership development and the management of multi-disciplinary teams. Remember what the inimitable Lisa Lee said, ““At the museum we pretend we’re not grappling with other issues, but we’re human beings all day. Join us on campus on Thursday 23rd November for our first 'Leadership Matters' event of this academic year, to learn how business leaders manage the effect of crisis on their business.

Recently Michelle Moon tweeted that museum volunteer programs are a “third rail,” meaning they’re too volatile to discuss. My introduction laid a foundation for Dina Bailey, Michelle Moon, Sarah Jencks, and Kate Hayley Goldman to use systems thinking to untangle the problem of why museum workers are in such a pit of despair, and most importantly, what to do about it. Failing that, acknowledging a place was important to a people might be better than getting into ownership which flies in the face of the Indigenous idea that we are steward’s for the next generation, not owners. Martyn Newman, clinical and corporate psychologist with an international reputation as an expert in emotional intelligence (EQ) leadership and mindfulness.

Track your leadership learning and development on the Leadership Matters platform, making it easy to start and stop depending on your schedule. Andy Buck has injected a light touch to the prose with the use of meaningful quotes, academic references, diagrams and humour. I’ve been reading recently about the government banning people speaking to the Civil Service if their views are anti or hostile to government policy. If so, which is more important: having a diverse body of volunteers or having volunteers who serve the museum? Leadership Matters is a movement designed to give all schools access to the high quality leadership development that ultimately improves pupil educational outcomes.