Blog

Over the past few weeks ACOSVO has had graduate volunteer Ben Rogers working with us. Here he discusses lessons learned from student life, and the potential benefits of a leadership exchange. (Originally published 05/09/17 in TFN).

"A recent UK report from the Lords Select Committee described charity leadership as being like "juggling on a unicycle" - balancing a huge range of tasks and skills while simultaneously facing unrealistically high expectations.  Also the stress of knowing if one ball drops, that will be the one that is noticed, not the many others that you are still successfully managing to juggle.

After 13 years as CEO of ACOSVO, Pat Armstrong gained agreement from ACOSVO's Board for a two month period of extended leave. Pat and her husband David had planned their adventure together, and set off to travel far and wide, while Pat kept friends and colleagues posted on her blog 'The World is my Office....Not'.

The Board and staff made initial plans for Pat's leave, setting out clear roles and boundaries. Systems and processes were put in place for cover, and while Pat would leave a gap for a short time, the whole team felt confident and capable to cover the period.

In this Leadership Blog, ACOSVO member and Director of Barnardo's Scotland, Martin Crewe reflects on ten years in post and lessons learned from the top.