Guernsey is a centre of excellence for governance and leadership, with the highest number of chartered directors on island per capita than anywhere else.
The IoD’s Director of the Year Awards recognise leadership and good governance. Experienced Director Carol Goodwin is a judge at this year’s IoD Guernsey Director of the Year Awards and she shares her leadership insights.
Q. What is a good leader?
Good leadership isn’t about making sure your teams’ heads are down from 9-5, it’s about using plenty of emotional intelligence (EI). Good leadership means good decisions. Not only do good leaders hire good people around them, but they inspire and motivate their team to grow and develop both themselves and their business.
Of course, those at the top of our organisations need to worry about the bottom line too. But, as good leaders will tell you, if you put time and effort into your team, the bottom line will take care of itself.
Q. What is the future for directors?
Directors prove themselves and show their metal during the difficult times. Anyone can lead during the sunny days, but it takes EI, creativity and bold decisions to keep your organisation afloat and thriving during the tough days.
The pandemic has crystallised a lot of trends that were already underway, for example technology, working from home and digital services. However, a leader’s traditional qualities still remain key, good judgement, empathy, flexibility, resourcefulness and critical thought.
Q. Why are the Director of the Year Awards important?
Never has there been a more crucial time and test of the Bailiwick’s leadership talent. It has not been a time where we can hide our leadership lights under a bushel.
We’ve had more exposure to our own local directorship talent and to strong global leaders than we ever had before, and their efforts need to be recognised for guiding us this far. In Guernsey, we’re not the best for taking credit for our actions, but this is an opportunity for our many accomplished directors to receive some credit. So, I would encourage all those talented directors and leaders out there to stand up and be counted.
The deadline for this year’s IoD Guernsey Director of the Year Awards is Monday 26 August and more information on how to enter can be found here: https://www.iod.gg/iod-director-year