Leadership in times of crisis: The courage to make mistakes

I have always found The Serenity Prayer deeply meaningful:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

My career thus far has taken many twists and turns. I graduated in the United States with a Music degree. My first job after university was in public health. I then moved to Andorra to teach English before working at a cross-community family centre in Belfast. Further study took me to London, and to my role as Parliamentary Assistant to Lord Best – a Crossbench peer and former CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. I am now the Parliamentary and Policy Researcher to the Bishops of Derby, Lincoln and Sheffield.

So it’s safe to say that consistency has not been a prominent feature of my CV. 

There are myriad ways into the world of housing policy. As I reflect on my own path, I have found that the most powerful moments in that journey were when I dove headfirst into a new opportunity, uninhibited by a fear of failure.

I was fortunate to help the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People finalise an Inquiry into the Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing. Attending evidence sessions with key stakeholders across the housing sector and Civil Service reminded me that collaboration and compassion are always critical to creating effective public policy.

I have been deeply impressed and inspired by the honesty and vulnerability of the carer professionals in the housing sector who shared their journeys with the Future Leaders cohort.

Sonia Parol, Design Director at Inspired Villages, told us to expect the unexpected; she encouraged us to dream big and avoid constraining ourselves to just one career pathway or narrative about professional development.

Dan Lyus, a Consultant and Career Mentor, reminded us that we should not be too hard on ourselves when things don’t go ‘according to plan’.

Maxine Espley, Chief Operating Officer at Green Square Accord, spoke about imposter syndrome and the importance of finding a supportive and encouraging professional network.

Similarly, I was struck by the sincerity and integrity of my fellow cohort members as they reflected on not only what has gone well in their careers, but also when they have faltered.

I am convinced that the best leaders – in any field – are those who not only possess the courage to make mistakes, but the wisdom and humility to learn from them.

It is okay not to be the expert in the room. In fact, sometimes being the least experienced person pays the highest dividends. Listening to and learning from others can only enhance your career – regardless of where it may lead.

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The team at Housing LIN was pleased to work with Chloe on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People's most recent inquiry, "The Regeneration of Outdated Sheltered Housing." We were delighted to have been invited to serve as the secretariat for this important project.

Chloe's blog is one of many by members of the 4th cohort of the Housing LIN’s Future Leaders Programme that we are excited to publish in the lead up to our 'sell-out' London conference – A Festival of Ideas: Age-Friendly Homes and Connected Community, taking place on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. We'll be joined by several of the Future Leaders who will be joining sponsor, Inspired Villages Group, that afternoon to share their sector leadership journeys.