Yesterday, we welcomed housing professionals to the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow for Share’s annual Inspiring Leadership Conference, bringing together current and aspiring leaders for a day of practical learning and shared experiences.
Throughout the day, one message came through clearly: good leadership starts with how we lead ourselves, but it also means understanding the people around us. Whether responding to pressure, listening to your team, making difficult decisions or adapting your approach to support someone, effective leadership is about recognising that different people need different things from their leaders.
The conference opened with Lee Eldridge, Founder of Cognitive Athlete, who explored what it means to lead under pressure. His session encouraged delegates to look at self leadership first, considering how self-awareness, resilience and clarity can shape the way we show up for our teams and organisations, particularly when the pressure is on.
Delegates then took part in facilitated roundtable discussions, exploring some of the key issues currently facing housing organisations. From balancing risk, investment and responsibility in housing finance to considering what is actually working with AI in housing operations, the discussions gave delegates the opportunity to share experiences, challenge thinking and learn from others across the sector.
Leading with understanding and empathy was another strong theme throughout the day, with Lisa Marshall’s powerful session, The Strength to Speak. Lisa highlighted the importance of creating psychologically safe environments where people feel able to speak openly and ask for support. Her personal story was a powerful reminder that leaders do not always know what someone may be experiencing outside of work, and that effective leadership means taking the time to listen, check in and understand what people need. It also highlighted the importance of being willing to adapt and find practical ways to support individuals, recognising that sometimes small changes can make a significant difference.
After lunch, delegates put their leadership skills to the test in an interactive crisis simulation led by James Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association. Working through a series of evolving scenarios, delegates had to make decisions, adapt their approach and consider the wider impact of their actions, from supporting staff and maintaining customer relationships to communicating effectively in a crisis. The session highlighted how strong leadership can help organisations navigate uncertainty, respond with confidence and be better prepared for challenges when they arise.
We finished the day with a keynote from Gordon Robertson, Founder of godobe training, who shared Leadership Lessons from The Road. Having worked in social housing for many years before becoming a tour manager for a major rock artist, Gordon brought a unique perspective to leadership, drawing connections between the two very different worlds. His message around Resilience, Ownership, Adaptability and Direction encouraged delegates to think about the mindset behind success, how we respond to setbacks and self-doubt, and the importance of having the confidence to keep moving forward.
These different perspectives gave delegates plenty to think about and take back to their own organisations.
One delegate shared:
“I really enjoyed the day and, to be totally honest, it was the first conference in a while that I’ve been to that I felt completely engaged at. All the topics discussed were so important and I gained valuable knowledge that will help me throughout my career. I also really enjoyed the layout of the day and how interactive the sessions were. It was so refreshing having a mix of current leaders and inspiring leaders there. I was particularly struck by Lisa’s keynote and how brave she is. Can’t wait for next year already!”
Louise Devlin, Housing Officer at Govanhill Housing Association, also enjoyed the variety of perspectives, saying: “Really enjoyed it. All of the speakers were great, so interesting to hear all different aspects of leadership.”
A huge thank you to all of our speakers, facilitators and delegates for contributing so openly to the day and making the conference such a positive and engaging event.
Find out more about our upcoming events and see what’s coming up at Share by clicking here.
