In this episode, we caught up with Laura Humm to discuss how her role as a Senior Finance Business Partner has enabled her to combine a desire to work in finance with a drive to make a difference and improve services in the NHS. Laura reflects on the key leadership skills that support her in improving the quality of the services we deliver to patients and building well-rounded leaders for the future.
3 Quotes to lead by...
1. AN EMPATHETIC AND UNDERSTANDING APPROACH
‘My approach is to very much understand the pressures that the clinical and operational teams are facing and what the priorities are for them…. Ultimately the priority of the clinical teams is the patient experience and the quality of the services they deliver for patients, so I’d like to think that I get across that I do share that aswell.’
Q. Are you aware of the pressures your teams are currently facing? How can you help to alleviate some of these pressures?
2. SPEND TIME SHADOWING
‘Go out and spend time shadowing. Shadow a Matron, shadow a General Manager for the day and learn about their role. The benefits of that are seeing things first hand… It’s only then that you understand the need for spending that money in that place at that time.’
Q. Who could you shadow in the Trust to learn more about their role and to further your knowledge and development?
3. BUILD YOUR FUTURE LEADERS
‘I’m really passionate about developing our staff and building leaders for the future… So I worked on a programme which we called the Aspiring Business Partner Programme… We delivered sessions for our staff that were close to becomming qualified accountants, in order for them to develop the skills so that we’ve got a rounded package of people to go into our Finance Business Partner posts.’
Q. How can you support your team members in developing the skills to become well-rounded future leaders?
External Resources
Empathy – Why Is It Important In Leadership?
Effective Shadowing
8 Strategies For Developing Future Leaders In Your Organization
