Jess and Lizzie, Directors of The Workshop
Kia ora,
This blog is a bit different to our usual ones, it is a reflection on our organisational changes through the eyes of our Directors Jess and Lizzie. We’re sharing it with our whole community so you can get to know us a little better and see what drives us to do the work we do, in collaboration with many of you.
Reflections from Jess
When Kim Hill left RNZ for the final time she said something that I really appreciated: “All change is terrible”. I laughed because she said it with such humour and compassion. Compassionate honesty - it's a term I like - because yes, change for us at The Workshop has been challenging. Yet it has also been exciting to come through it and have the opportunity to grow and shift as an organisation as Lizzie has come on board as our new Director of Business. Some of Lizzie’s first words to the team were that she was here to listen and learn first. Which is how I know the organisation will thrive with her as one of its leaders.
I have always been clear that shared leadership is how I thrive. I do my best work, at home, at work, when I have a person or people to share the joys and the burdens with, to check things out with, to argue the toss, to ask for support from and provide support to. Leading an organisation can be a lonely job, co-leadership has been a counter to that loneliness for me. And I think The Workshop has thrived under a shared leadership model. But in the spirit of compassionate honesty, conciliatory ways of leading can also be hard, they require compromise, open communication, and awareness of each other's needs. However when values are shared and responsibilities too, it leads to more impactful organisations. Shared wisdom matters.
I am excited about weaving a co-leadership approach with Lizzie - seeing what our shared wisdom leads to.
Lizzie’s arrival will allow me to turn my mind, heart and hands to more of the narrative and strategic work we need. One thing I am particularly excited about is a refresh of how we talk about what it is we do at The Workshop so we are really clear on what we do, and how we can support people with framing research to unlock change. Lizzie’s skills and passion for business development, for supporting teams, and working on the business will strengthen the organisation. Her experience in working across business, public service and philanthropy will help us continue to diversify who we work with and maintain and build our important relationships. Her kindness and shared values of responsibility and pragmatism will ensure we remain an organisation that people want to come to and stay at.
Reflections from Lizzie
One of the things that struck me almost instantly during both the interview process and in the lead-up to starting with Jess and The Workshop, was Jess’s openness and willingness to share The Workshop’s journey with me. It was not only refreshing but also showed her willingness to connect with and trust me, right from the start.
Working for a values based organisation has always appealed to me but the degree to which The Workshop and its team live by their values is truly inspiring. Though I am still getting my head around things on a day-to-day basis, it does feel like I’ve come ‘home’.
A shared leadership model is one that requires trust, honesty and openness, all of which have been demonstrated already in my short time in this new role. I look forward to supporting the team, our clients, funders and supporters in our ever-changing environment.
What I’m really looking forward to now, is meeting you, our valued collaborators and those who use the work that our team produces. One of my goals is to learn how we can add value to these existing and future relationships so that The Workshop is well equipped to support your mahi as powerfully as possible.
Ngā mihi
Jess and Lizzie