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Dr Kay Tyerman is currently the Head of School for Yorkshire and Humber as well as the Officer for Workforce Planning here at the College. I was inspired by Kay's wealth of experience in education, training, recruitment, and workforce development. Reflecting on our conversation, here are my key takeaways.
Advocate for your team and patients
When I asked Kay about what she has learned around leadership, particularly in workforce and training, she emphasised the importance of advocacy above all else.
I think it's about making sure that when you get an opportunity to put forward why it's so important to invest in the child health workforce, then you've got to have a valid argument.
And I think that you can only do that when you have that first hand knowledge of working as a paediatrician, so clinical paediatrics, but also when you also understand the logistics of recruitment and training as well.
Let Kay's insights encourage us to be firm, fair, and tenacious in standing up for our teams and those we serve. This principle is a cornerstone of impactful leadership.
Navigate your career in sections
Rather than mapping out an entire career path, Kay shared that her journey evolved step by step. At each stage, she assessed her strengths, interests, and experiences, seeking opportunities that aligned with them.
This reminds us to stay alert for roles that represent the next chapter in our professional growth and not to fear moving on when the time is right.
The power of appreciation
A simple thank-you can make a lasting impact. Kay recalled a letter of appreciation that encouraged her greatly.
Let’s remember to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of others—whether through words, notes, or gestures.
Dare to lead with vulnerability
Drawing on insights from Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead, Kay highlighted the value of authenticity and empathy. Leadership isn’t about being invincible; it’s about being genuine, curious, and building trust. Kay exemplifies this approach in her work.
Every role you undertake, you interact with a different bunch of colleagues, other professionals, and I've learned so much from all of those individuals and I feel that's helped me personally build up my experience and my confidence in doing leadership roles as I've moved from one role to another.
And most importantly, as you'll see I've taken on roles, I've stopped doing roles...don't worry about stepping out of a role. I think one of the greatest things is to be able to hand that role over to somebody else. So, to do a role, to enjoy it, but also feel comfortable in saying, actually now it's time for somebody else to undertake that role and bring their sort of skills and attributes to that role.
Kay’s reflections remind us that leadership is not just about strategy; it’s about people, courage, and continuous growth.
How can you apply these principles in your own journey?