Category Archives: leadership

Becoming a Leader

Posted on 22 November 2020 by Athene Donald

This week I took part in a panel aimed at young adults who see themselves as future leaders. An interesting, if slightly disquieting experience. My fellow panellists were two young men in their twenties, who had both already done amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, leadership, Michelle Obama, Simone de Beauvoir, Women in science | Comments Off on Becoming a Leader

Facing up to the Existence of the Jerk

Posted on 13 January 2019 by Athene Donald

As stories of harassment and bullying multiply in the media (social and otherwise), it is worth thinking about what it is in management and leadership that lets situations get out of hand. Too often I hear the phrase that someone … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, bullying, gagging orders, leadership, speaking up | Comments Off on Facing up to the Existence of the Jerk

Thinking about Compassion

Posted on 20 October 2017 by Athene Donald

Compassion. That seems to be a word that is much in the air around me recently. I alluded to it in a recent post in the context of the need for self-control, but have discussed it more extensively in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, jerks, leadership, Science Culture, students | Comments Off on Thinking about Compassion

No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Posted on 8 March 2017 by Athene Donald

Another year, another International Women’s Day. This year the strapline is ‘be bold for change’. A good motto but many will feel that boldness is dangerous in the face of opposition or incomprehension. Incomprehension is perhaps commoner than one thinks: … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, Equality, International Women's Day, leadership, promotion, Women in science | Comments Off on No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Politicians, Leadership and Academia

Posted on 14 July 2016 by Athene Donald

We now have a new Prime Minister. A woman. I well remember  a young relative saying to me as Margaret Thatcher stood down ‘Was it possible to have a male prime minister?’ Well yes, and history tells us this is … Continue reading →

Posted in emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, leadership, Science Culture, TEF | Comments Off on Politicians, Leadership and Academia

Chairing: Not as Easy as it Looks

Posted on 25 November 2015 by Athene Donald

If you are setting out on your career, how do you acquire leadership skills? If you think you’re a born leader how can you check it out or improve? As part of the commemorations around the 50th anniversary death of … Continue reading →

Posted in chairing, committees, leadership, Science Culture | Comments Off on Chairing: Not as Easy as it Looks

Eradicating Gender Stereotyping: How can Athena Swan Awards Help?

Posted on 6 November 2015 by Athene Donald

There is nothing like seeing gender stereotyping through reverse eyes to highlight its stupidity. Women are used to intrusive, inappropriate questions about their looks and dress, even in professional situations (see this recent story about Russian astronauts for an example); … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Swan, committees, leadership, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on Eradicating Gender Stereotyping: How can Athena Swan Awards Help?

Whose Responsbility? It’s too Easy to Say ‘Not Mine’

Posted on 27 August 2014 by Athene Donald

Despite the news being full of stories about how minorities are disadvantaged in larger or smaller ways, it is far from obvious that rapid progress is being made. The articles I read are full of appropriate shock at everything from … Continue reading →

Posted in diversity, Equality, faculty, leadership, support, Women in science | Comments Off on Whose Responsbility? It’s too Easy to Say ‘Not Mine’

Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?

Posted on 21 June 2014 by Athene Donald

A couple of years ago I blogged about my feelings about leadership and role models. The difference is clear and whereas then I felt OK about being considered one of the latter I had issues with regarding myself as a … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, innovation, leadership, passion, Science Culture | Comments Off on Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?

Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?

Posted on 21 June 2014 by Athene Donald

A couple of years ago I blogged about my feelings about leadership and role models. The difference is clear and whereas then I felt OK about being considered one of the latter I had issues with regarding myself as a … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, innovation, leadership, Science Culture | Comments Off on Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?