Leadership in the grey area

Many things at the moment seem to be presented as a choice between two extremes and it's exhausting. You're either this or that. You support this camp or that one.

Black or white. Right or wrong. 100% or 0%.

What I've learned over the years is that the most important work happens in the grey areas in between. Blind certainty is something to guard against.

Years ago, I was in a board meeting where there was a divide over brand strategy. One side believed the organisation should take a bold path, changing the charity's name, its brand, and loosening its ties to its history. The other worried about alienating supporters and the negative impact of losing touch with decades of heritage. Both were passionate. Both cared deeply. And both were right.

I clearly remember the terrifying moment when the Chair turned to me, as Director of Fundraising, and asked if we could raise more money if we changed the charity's name. I can't remember exactly what I said but it was along of the lines of there being no right or wrong answer, only pros and cons to weigh up with both paths.

It might have seemed like weakness, in fact I kicked myself afterwards for ducking the question.

But what I've learned since is that it's a myth that having unwavering opinions equals strength in leadership. I've seen the most effective leaders are able to be clear about their values whilst remaining flexible about methods. Looking back at that boardroom moment now, I actually feel quite proud of my younger self. The tension between those opposing views needed more information, more discussion, more exploration, to take everyone forward, rather than a snap decision which would have left one side feeling they'd lost.

Perhaps the best thing leaders can do right now is to admit that we don't have all the answers and that it's ok to be uncertain. The world needs leaders who can inspire others to stay engaged even when the path forward isn't clear, who can create space for messy conversations that don't end with neat conclusions but take people forward together.

In a world obsessed with being right, choosing to listen to others, to be curious and collaborative, might just be the most radical act of all.

Useful links 🔗

Good Trouble Lives On

Day of the Week 📆

Last week marked one year of Birmingham's Road Safety Emergency and my colleagues at Better Streets for Birmingham and I did a demo outside Birmingham City Council on Friday afternoon.

In the 24 hours since the demo, two more people were killed in road crashes.

Helsinki has demonstrated that it is possible to eradicate needless death from road crashes in an urban setting. It remains to be seen whether Birmingham can too.

What am I reading? 📚

Self-help books about making the most of one's time are nothing new.

Nearly 120 years ago, the novelist, Arnold Bennett, wrote How to live on 24 hours a day, aimed at "the legions of clerks and typists and other meanly paid workers caught up in the explosion of British office jobs around the turn of the [twentieth] century".

Obviously the fact that all those workers were assumed to be men is jarring today but the principles still hold.

You say your day is already full to overflowing. How? You actually spend in earning your livelihood—how much? Seven hours, on the average? And in actual sleep, seven? I will add two hours, and be generous. And I will defy you to account to me on the spur of the moment for the other eight hours.

What am I watching? 👀

If you're after a bit of light-hearted escapism during the summer, Mix Tape is ideal. Two people who met in 1980s Sheffield, meet again years later.

Someone had fun with the soundtrack and so did I.

What am I listening to?👂

I hadn't heard "A Promise" by the South African singer and anti-apartheid activist,, Miriam Makeba, before but it's one of those tracks that you immediately need to listen to again.

Joy-giving things 😍

A Wednesday lunchtime half a bitter with my dad at The Woodman, which is over-shadowed by the HS2 works in central Birmingham but still going strong. As are we.

My days have suddenly got a bit more overflowing so the newsletter might be a little less frequent from now on. I hope you don't mind.

Have a lovely weekend

Lucy

If it’s your first time reading this newsletter, find out more about me here.

I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world, particularly in the workplace.

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ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org. If you’re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and, LinkedIn.

If you like what you read and you'd like to show your appreciation in cash, you can do that here. I'd be very grateful!