When I think of leaders who have impact, I think about those who show integrity and their actions are aligned with their values, I think about those who communicate, engage, storytell to bring to life thier vision, I think about those who bring everything back to purpose and put the people they are serving at the heart of their decision making.

Impactful leadership shouldn’t be mistaken for loud leadership, it’s not about being super confident, turning up with the jazz hands, putting themselves at the centre of the story.

In today’s episode I interview Kevin McNamara, an NHS chief executive, who in my opinion typifies all the qualities of an impactful leader. I had to twist his arm to come on the podcast because he didn’t want the story to be about him. But of course that’s absolutely why we need to hear what he has to say.

It’s another varied discussion covering:

• creating space to focus on the future when dealing with here and now pressures

• navigating difficult decisions

• becoming an accidental CEO and how his daughter was instrumental in challenging him to take on the role

• the changing nature of relationships with colleagues when internally promoted

• how an earlier career in communications helped that transition into a broader strategic role

• knowing when it's the right time to move from a role or organisation

• how to approach starting a new role

• leaving well

• instilling self-belief in the teams and people around you

• leading through a pandemic and other crisis points in the NHS

• dealing with the pressures of the role

• creating the right headspace and conditions to show up well in the role and dealing with imposter syndrome

• the importance of networks and the support they can provide

• advice for aspiring CEOs

Resources and helpful links

• Connect with Kevin on X