In this inspiring episode, Sue Vasey, CEO of Chain Lane Community Hub, chats to Mike Hickman, Leadership Development and Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, about how starting with a bold, barrier-free “utopia” vision can transform strategic planning for charities. 

Drawing from her decades in the voluntary sector - and the journey to save and revitalise Chain Lane Community Centre - Sue explains why leaders should define their ideal destination first, then work back to navigate the practical realities.

She and Mike explore resilience, self-leadership, and the discipline to stay true to core values, even when funding pressures tempt organisations off course. Sue recounts tough decisions, including walking away from a £1m contract that conflicted with partners’ missions, and emphasises integrity, generous leadership, and wisdom as essential leadership qualities.

A candid and hopeful conversation for anyone steering a community organisation through uncertainty, this episode reminds us: utopia isn’t a naïve dream - it’s the compass that keeps us moving in the right direction.

In this candid and insightful episode of our Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders podcast, Mike Hickman, Leadership and Development Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, sits down with Richard Cooper, Chief Executive of the Harrogate Homeless Project and long-time leadership steering group member. Richard unpacks a leadership philosophy that embraces accountability, encourages failure as fuel for growth, and challenges hierarchical decision-making.

Together, they explore how to create a culture of courageous responsibility, and why sometimes the kindest act is nudging someone out of a comfortable “fur-lined rut.” Listeners will walk away with practical strategies - from transforming one-to-ones into empowering development conversations, to fostering collective ownership of organisational contracts and change.

In this Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders podcast, titled "The Curious Case of the Umbrella in the Boardroom", Mike Hickman, Leadership Development & Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, is joined by Sally Steadman - a former mentee turned mentor, senior leader, charity trustee, and passionate advocate for good governance and visible leadership.

Together, they delve into what really makes a board work, why governance isn't just a buzzword, and how trust, diversity, and collective responsibility shape successful leadership. From the power of mentoring to the importance of having the right voices at the table - and even a metaphorical umbrella - Sally shares candid reflections and practical wisdom for new and experienced trustees alike.

Why is mental health a critical issue for managers and leaders in the VCSE sector? To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, Mark Willis from Wider Sky Training chats to Mike Hickman, Leadership Development and Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, about the consequences of not giving our mental health the same priority as our physical health, and how line managers can help their team members feel confident and safe at work. 

In this inspiring tenth episode of our 'Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders' podcast series, Emma Pears, CEO of SELFA, shares lessons from her 30 years in the social sector. She explores the core ingredients that combine to make up the secret sauce of servant leadership - courage, authenticity, listening, and humility - and how they’ve shaped her journey. Honest, practical, and heartfelt, this is a must-listen for leaders who want to lead with purpose. 

The ninth of our 'Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders' podcast series, listen to Mike Hickman, Leadership Development & Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire as he explores how bad incentives can undermine good intentions - with a snake or two thrown in along the way.

Liz Lockey, Chief Offer of Hambleton Community Action, discusses how leadership is about creating the conditions for change and encouraging behaviours that support change, while knowing when to consilidate and stabilise. 

Shahida Iqbal, Director of Manar Associations, shares how her experience as a trustee has helped her on her leadership journey - not just in terms of building relationships, her critical thinking and listening skills, and career progression. She challenges us to think about why people should become trustees and explores how such a vital role can help you steer the strategic direction of a charity as well as shape your own personal development.

Mike Hickman, Leadership Training and Development Manager at Community First Yorkshire, invites you to meet Peter (or Petra) Principle. What happens when someone is promoted to the point of incompetence? Mike explains why this isn't necessarily a bad thing with the right support to help leaders to grow. He explains that, if you are conscious of what it is you can’t do, if you’re conscious of your incompetence, it just means you don’t know how to do something yet, and with the right development, you’ll be able to progress in the next phase of your career. 

In the fifth in our Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders podcast series, JK McQuinn, from Where the Mind Grows, exhorts us to return to nature supporting us to resource ourselves and grow as leaders. JK calls for us to break our own rules, be a maverick and prioritise our wellbeing. “We can do much more when we’re in a state of calm and replenishment – and nature helps us to achieve that.”