Imposters and collaborators - how to create effective leaders

The Housing LIN Future Leaders’ programme has been an enlightening experience which has pushed me to think deeply about what I do and where I want to go with my career.

During my time on the programme, I have had an opportunity to listen to housing sector leaders, including Future Leader alumni. These discussions have unearthed lessons on how to manage progression through the good times, while accepting challenges and mistakes as equally important to our learning process.

The main takeaways for me personally, is that I should not place a ceiling on my aspirations and to take advantage of each opportunity as it presents itself. There was a shared understanding amongst the cohort of an ‘imposter’ mentality easily making its way into our own self-evaluation. This can place an unnecessary hurdle in the way of our progression as we feel that we do not merit a higher role, no matter how deserved it may be. I believe that challenging this perception by appreciating my own achievements and progress is vital to ensuring a successful and fulfilling career in the future.

Another important lesson is the value of passing on knowledge and learning amongst peers and beyond – something core to the Housing LIN. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to hear from individuals who have been successful and progressed in their careers through the programme. But I have also been lucky to hear about the different experiences of my fellow Future Leaders who represent a diverse range of housing options. These interactions have been incredibly valuable in helping me to value this diversity and seeking ways to find connections within it.

Unsurprisingly for a Housing LIN programme, there was a joint appreciation of the goal to improve the quality and quantity of housing for older people. A vital goal for myself and my colleagues is to maintain this goal and to spread it within our organisations and the wider sector. Since starting the programme, I have moved from a role within a housing charity largely supporting older people to a local authority. The challenge now is the take the lessons I have learned in the programme to achieve real change in this new environment.

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Jack’s blog is one of 7 from the 2nd cohort of the Housing LIN’s Future Leaders’ Programme that we are publishing in the lead up to our virtual Summit – A Festival of Ideas and the virtual session on Tuesday, 28 February 2023 (2.30pm-pm-4pm). Register now for Inspiring young talent: investing in our future housing and care leaders

Find out more about Housing LIN’s Future Leaders’ Programme and read the other blogs once published.