Seeking different ways to lead

The Sixth Form Student Leadership Team at Pipers Corner hosted a hugely successful networking event at school this week. The aim of the evening was to provide our girls, along with Sixth Form Student Leaders from 12 other local schools, with an opportunity to network with other young leaders in the community.

The students enjoyed a formal dinner, before listening to an inspiring talk from speaker, Mr Kevin Vaughan-Smith, Head of Leadership Development at Ernst & Young LLP. Mr Vaughan-Smith spoke about his experiences as a leader in business and the opportunities that are open to young leaders today as they consider their journey into higher education and out into the workplace.

He talked about how leadership is all about getting people to engage in change, rather than managing and simply telling people what to do. He also looked ahead to the future, considering what the job landscape will look like with the rise of the gig economy - an environment in which temporary positions are common and organisations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements.

Following the talk the students then had an opportunity to talk more over coffee, sharing ideas and experiences from their own leadership activities. The evening was a fantastic way for the students to discuss the challenges they face as leaders in their own schools and share examples of best practice with each other.