Strengths and weaknesses

Question 1

Strengths

Answer 1

1) Communication, presentations (visual/oral), engagement, storytelling
2) Workshop facilitation, creative problem-solving, strategy, lateral and strategic thinking
3) Project management, change management, people management
4) Digital (and social media) fluency (LinkedIn network)
5) Networking/collaborating - as a “node” - so spotting opportunities across the corporate landscape
6) Disclosure - the power of rolemodelling (motherhood, non-traditional career paths)
7) Coaching
8) Taking responsibility
9) Flexibility

Question 2

Development areas

Answer 2

1) Operational delivery. Quite excited at the prospect - my MBA equipped with skills and knowledge that I haven’t had the opportunity to use much in my current role!
2) Change/People management. Managing a bigger, more diverse team through more challenging situations; managing greater complexity, in projects in completely new contexts.
3) Ministerial interaction/Politics. My corporate focus has, at my level, minimised my interaction with Ministers (tends to be our Board and PS instead). It’s a gap that will need to be filled as I move up and move into higher profile and more ambitious projects - testing my judgment, my ability to operate in a big and small P environment, providing better service whilst challenging as necessary. [Speaking honestly to ministers, challenging and candid evidence-based advice]

Question 3

Areas of interest

Answer 3

1) Communications expertise/professionalism
2) Open policy-making, insight and the role of big-data
3) Employee and stakeholder engagement (related)
4) Digital policy (and design - still a bit of a geek)
5) Organisational and leadership development (senior strategy workshops, coaching, capability building)

Question 4

Weaknesses

Answer 4

1) I disclose. I share personal details with those around me. It makes me feel more authentic in the workplace, and I’ve had lots of positive feedback about it. But it can be seen as a weakness or vulnerability. Showing the personal can make one seem less professional. And there are lots of stereotypes about working mothers in the workplace, so it can work to my disadvantage.
2) Insufficiently diverse professional experience, particularly around operational experience.
3) I like change. I’m an early adopter, I get excited by the possibilities and that drives me to make the case for change and to make things happen. I have what is called a “growth mindset” - which means I’m always striving for learning, growth and improvement. It can make it quite hard to be in a conservative working culture to maintain your own positivity and enthusiasm. I have coping mechanisms - mentor, energisers, surround myself with pragmatists.