Our guest in this episode, Dr Lucy Ryan holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and an MSc in Positive Psychology. Her most recent book ‘Revolting Women: why midlife women are walking out and what to do about it’ is an important and highly engaging call to action to pay more attention to multi generational workforces and in particular the challenges and biases faced by women in Mid Life. She is the author of two other books, including one recommended previously on this podcast, ‘Lunchtime Learning for leaders’ and she has worked with leaders from a range of organisations including the BBC, Siemens and UNICEF. Lucy shares an extraordinary letter written by her grandfather to his brother during World War II.

During our conversation, we talked about:

• Compassion and strength
• Autonomy
• Working for entrepreneurs
• Managing with strengths in mind
• Multi-generational organisations and leadership.
• Taking it seriously without taking ourselves too seriously
• Defining, and redefining, ‘hard work’
• Gender equality
• Sabbaticals
• Midlife check ins
• Love in leadership
• Loneliness in leadership
• The power of pause
• The impact of a letter
• ‘Revolting Women: why midlife women are walking out and what to do about it’ by Dr Lucy Ryan
• Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra
• Diary of a CEO by Stephen Bartlett
• Operation Judgement: The Battle Of Taranto

LUCY’S LETTER + QUOTES

We’re honoured that Lucy shared a letter written by her Grandfather, Captain Denis Boyd, to his brother in the aftermath of one of the most extraordinary events of World War II, the Battle of Taranto. It was deeply moving to hear the words of a leader from so long ago, navigating such dire circumstances. We went on to talk about love in leadership, the power of pause, and the act of writing a letter.

“I wonder how many leaders today would write with such emotion”

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“Leadership as this combination of passion and strength”

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“So often they need a temporary pause..they don’t want to leave.’”

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“I think a lot of organisations are not serious about long lasting change.”

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“Leadership is in a really interesting period of transition.”

On our sister podcast, Towards Leadership, we will look in more detail at tools, reflections and practical application of the ideas, insights and inspiration we get from our guests on Leadership Letters. An episode focused on Lucy’s insights will be coming soon. If you are already subscribed to Leadership Letters, look out for it in your podcast feed.

GET IN TOUCH

If there’s anything else you heard and would like to know more about, please get in touch.

And while you’re here, we would love to know what topics and guests you would like to hear on this podcast, so please do send your suggestions!

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