Summary
Sue Hartley, Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, shares insights into her leadership philosophy and experiences during a recent podcast. Hartley emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, authentic communication, and noble intent in leadership roles. She reflects on her journey from an ecological researcher to a leadership position, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from focusing on details to empowering teams and trusting them to execute their roles effectively.
Hartley discusses the significance of building a supportive network outside of one's immediate work environment, as well as the necessity of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She notes that leadership can be isolating, making it crucial to have trusted confidants for support. Additionally, she addresses the complexities of leading in the current higher education landscape, where decisions often have significant consequences for various stakeholders.
The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing solutions, the need for accountability, and the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent within teams. Hartley concludes by discussing her future plans, which include continuing in her current role for another five years and exploring opportunities to contribute to organizations in a trustee capacity after that.
Show Notes
As part of our 'Community' series, we’re launching the Emerging Leadership Management (ELM) Network, hosted by Rob Brooker, Thorunn Helgason, and Pen Holland. This is the podcast for people who love to lead or one day might emerge as a leader.
In this episode, Professor Sue Hartley OBE talks about the necessity of being challenged, listening to others in leadership, and leading with noble intent.
We talk about everything from Sue’s leadership journey to early lessons in letting go of control and the need for delegation, to the importance of recognising your own limitations and making space for rest.
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