THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK

by Zoe Roy

When asked to write this blog reflecting on the theme of leadership, I started jotting down a few words about what leadership means to me. I enjoyed thinking about the many ways I have been led by others throughout my life and how those experiences made me feel. 

One memory that stood out was of a university lecturer who challenged my thinking and pushed me to work hard, but who was always there with words of encouragement and motivation. Thirteen years on, his words have stayed with me, I carry them with me wherever I go. 

Drawing from these experiences, I reflect on my role as the Young Person’s Participation Worker at The Fostering Network. I asked myself, what elements of leadership make participation meaningful and create experiences that truly add to a person’s life? 

Out of all the words I scribbled down, trust stood out as especially important. As I expanded on why trust matters, I found myself thinking of our Young People’s Advisory Board at The Fostering Network. This board is made up of young people aged 16–21 with experience of foster care. They come together to shape the fostering sector. 

The board leads the direction of their work and is supported by myself and my colleagues. There is shared leadership and collaboration between us. When we lead with trust in children and young people, letting go of the control that often comes with project outcomes and deadlines we create space for richer, more honest discussions. In my view, honest expression is part of what makes participation so meaningful. 

Returning to the lecturer I mentioned earlier, he led with trust and also built trust within our class, creating a strong sense of team. Similarly, trust within our advisory board has taken time to build. Over the nearly two years I have worked with the board, we have spent hours laughing at funny stories, discovering both shared and unique interests but also had serious, sensitive conversations where  experiences are shared. These moments have connected us and there is a mutual respect for each person’s perspective. Building trust within a team is crucial. It allows members to express themselves without fear of judgment, knowing their voices will be heard and taken seriously. 

This brings me to my final reflection on trust being fundamental to leadership in participation. Those who are privileged to hear the voices, stories, and opinions of others must themselves be trustworthy. They are trusted not only to hold and protect those stories but also to take action when appropriate. 

Again, I think back to my lecturer, if he said he would look into something or offer support, he always followed through. Those small acts of consistency and integrity added something meaningful to my life and shaped to kind of worker I am and strive to be.   

To sum up leading with trust empowers individuals to develop a stronger sense of agency and confidence in leading their own stories. Leaders don’t always have to be at the front or centre, they can guide from within a team that shares trust and power. Leadership that is grounded in listening and participation requires being a trustworthy listener and an action-taker.  

Thank you to the National Leadership Network for giving me the opportunity to reflect on something I care so deeply about.