This week we held our quarterly Shackleton Leaders surgery focusing on Leadership. This session was hosted by Natalie Morris (Shackleton Leader since 2021 and Founder and CEO of The Feeding Trust) who reflected on her journey leading an organisation that has evolved from a small community interest company into a registered charity, and on what that transformation has taught them about collaboration, power, and empathy in leadership.

Natalie discussed her experience of convening a large group together to explore solutions collectively. The process was intentionally egalitarian: all voices were given equal weight, regardless of seniority or expertise. Her key reflections were

1. Lead with empathy and humility – Start by listening deeply, even (and especially) when you disagree.
2. Trust the process – Systems change takes time; genuine participation can look untidy but produces better outcomes.
3. Hold the space, don’t own it – Leadership is about creating the conditions for others to contribute and for shared wisdom to emerge.

The discussion reinforced that authentic leadership is less about having the right answers and more about cultivating curiosity, empathy, and collective action. Change happens not through control but through shared purpose and genuine collaboration. Another brilliant session – thank you again to all our Leaders who share their experiences.