Last week, I attended the Challenge Partners’ Trust Leaders Residential; surprisingly, it was the first time in my seven years at CP and I left feeling that the time invested was returned tenfold in clarity and perspective.
Set in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, the programme was expertly facilitated by Carolyn Robson and Kieran Osborne, alongside our very own Kate Chhatwal. We were also joined by Ben Travis, CEO of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, for a brilliant keynote. The experience was an important reminder that we must practice what we preach: making the time to step back is not a luxury but a leadership necessity; a rare chance to step off the treadmill and find a much-needed sense of perspective.
Here are my five key takeaways:
1. The Power of Connection
Spending time with 15 CEOs from across the country was a real privilege. As one delegate said at the close, “I’ve left with real friends.” Leadership can be incredibly lonely, especially when navigating the complexity of high-pressure environments. This residential reinforced that looking outward and building a trusted network of peers isn't just a "nice to have", it’s a prerequisite for resilience.
2. The Shadow We Cast
There is nowhere to hide at the top. Carolyn’s session on the “shadow self” showed us that how we show up, especially under pressure, shapes culture more than any written strategy ever could. Our leadership brings true visibility; our moods, our reactions and even our silences speak volumes.
3. Accountability vs. Responsibility
Ben Travis reflected on the transformative journey that LGT is on. His clarity on what he is accountable for versus what he is responsible for was a vital lesson in how to lead sustainably without burning out.
Ben also touched on the necessity of "deep listening"; using multiple channels to listen to staff and being transparent about what will change as a result. While the context of the NHS might differ, the leadership challenges, recruitment, funding and the moral imperative to improve lives, feel strikingly similar to education.
4. The Importance of Joy
Sharon Burt led two fabulous ice breakers which she uses with leaders across her trust, that got us moving, laughing and connecting. It was a reminder that joy has a rightful place in even the most serious leadership work. In true Challenge Partners spirit, I fully plan to ‘magpie’ these activities for my own sessions in the future (thank you, Sharon!).
5. The Strength of the Collective
Beyond the sessions themselves, I was struck by the collective wisdom of the group. What made the learning so effective was the immediate sense of psychological safety; a culture of trust was established almost instantly, allowing for the kind of raw, honest conversations that rarely happen in daily professional life. This was most evident in Kieran’s session on shared challenges, where colleagues worked in trios to coach one another through the significant hurdles they face as trust leaders.
On a personal level, I was reminded that our leadership identity is not separate from the rest of our lives. Our personal and professional selves are intertwined; aligning priorities across both is vital to sustain energy, wellbeing, and, most importantly, purpose. We cannot lead others effectively if we are running on empty ourselves.
I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of this experience. The residential created a rare, safe space for highly capable leaders to pause, reflect and move forward with renewed intention.
Laura Lewis-Williams, Managing Director, Challenge Partners