On The Mind Of

Today’s guest is Mark Russell, CEO of The Children’s Society, trustee at the Church Of England and RSA Fellow.

Mark started out as a youth worker in his home country of Northern Ireland, in a divided town bringing young people together in the run-up to the Good Friday agreement. At the age of 30, he was appointed CEO of the Church Army, a social justice charity working in some of the most deprived areas across the UK and Ireland, a position he held for 13 years.

Mark joined Children’s Society in 2019 - and now has the pleasure of being OTMO host Joe Jenkins’ boss!

We speak on a range of topics including burning the candle at all 4 ends, building resilience as a leader, white privilege, the stereotypes of CEOS and the importance of both family time and BBQs.

There is also a great Chief Exec/Lion King analogy and talk about being an extrovert (with introvert tendencies) while dealing with life and death during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Date of Conversation - 26 June

The Key Takeaways From This Episode

[2.15] Conversation Begins

[3.15] Balancing time with family/friends vs work

[5.25] Consequences of taking on too much

[9.19] Leaders are not superheroes

[11.02] “I can’t breathe” - #blacklivesmatter & using white privilege

[17.57] Challenging the traditional stereotype of a Chief Exec

[21.57] What can only a Chief Exec do

[26.00] The importance of organisational culture

[32.35] Leading through presence and leading through absence.

[40.00] How Mark builds his resilience

[43.03] What is keeping Mark awake at night

[44.58] Being an extrovert in a time of a pandemic

[51.30] Three kinds of charity will emerge from the pandemic

[56.25] Why Mark is filled with hope for the future

Resources From This Episode

* Children's Society - childrenssociety.org.uk

* Third Sector article with Mark on his first year at The Children's Society:

'Constant communication has carried our charity through lockdown – and tragedy'

* Church Army - churcharmy.org

* RSA Fellowship - thersa.org/fellowship

Today’s guest is Refugee Action Chief Exec, Stephen Hale. Voted Charity Chief Executive of the Year in 2019, Stephen is greatly respected across the charity sector and has much to share on the lessons he has learned in leadership.

In our conversation, we explore the effects of Covid-19, building self-confidence in leadership, how the issues raised by #BlackLivesMatter is prompting debate about diversity and inclusion within the charity sector, and the moral obligation to put the cause before your own organisation.

We also discuss collaboration amongst charities, both the struggles and opportunities, along with Stephen’s own leadership strengths – and why he loves winning. Reflecting on what helps Stephen to succeed, we discuss the breadth of his experience, recognise the value of space to reflect and how his love of cycling has helped Stephen to clear his mind and clarify ideas. And why he remains hopeful.

Date of Conversation - 19 June

The Key Takeaways From This Episode

[2:47] What’s on Stephen’s mind?

[4:30] How Covid affects everything

[12:15] Rebuilding self-confidence

[17:19] Privilege, power and EDI in the charity sector

[26:13] Cause before organisation – offering wider leadership

[31:09] Stephen’s strengths as a leader

[36:20] How wide experience can inform successful leadership

[39:30] Creating space to reflect

[44:40] Hope for the future

Resources From This Episode

* Refugee Action - refugee-action.org.uk

* Forum for the Future - forumforthefuture.org

* Samworth Foundation - samworthfoundation.org.uk

* ACEVO Report - Home Truths: Undoing racism and delivering real diversity in the charity sector

* Voice4England - voice4change-england.co.uk

* For background on the host, Joe Jenkins, and his reasons for creating the podcast see our About OTMO page.

* Follow 'On The Mind Of' on Facebook and Twitter.

A brief introduction to what 'On The Mind Of...' is all about by its host and creator Joe Jenkins.

We talk about the aims and background of this podcast, who will be on the show and what we will be asking them.

This podcast will attempt to capture and learn from the wisdom and experience of CEOs, Directors, Founders and Leaders in charities, social enterprises, politics and grassroots organisations – to share more widely, and hopefully inspire others to grow in their own leadership. There is a lot in the world that needs changing, and we need great leadership now more than ever.

The Key Takeaways From This Episode

[0:30] Does the world need another podcast?

[1:40] Who are some of the guests we have lined up

[2:22] What kind of thing will we be asking our guests

Resources From This Episode

* For background on the host, Joe Jenkins, and his reasons for creating the podcast see our About OTMO page.

* Follow 'On The Mind Of' on Facebook and Twitter.