June 2025
Strong leaders navigate chaos with purpose
Whether it’s economic uncertainty, office moves, new flexible work policies or unforeseen or disruptive external events, disability ERG/Network leaders often have to steer their communities through turbulent times.
In her TED series film, How to lead in a crisis, Dr Amy Edmondson shares four key elements to providing the safety your community crave in moments of chaos.
-
Be transparent – Share what you know, admit what you don’t know - communicate at a regular beat rate.
-
Act with urgency – Even when you don’t have all of the information, fast action helps you get more information.
-
Follow your values – These can be your guiding light when everything else is uncertain.
-
Share the power – Ask for help and be clear that you can’t do it all alone – it gives others a sense of meaning.
Turbulent times can also present opportunities. For example, whilst accelerated digital transformation might impact on job security in some areas, it also has the potential to address many related barriers faced by disabled employees.
As Paul Willgoss MBE, Vice-Chair, UK Civil Service Disability Network and PurpleSpace Ambassador reminded us in our report, Nothing Without Us:
“Disability Network leaders must be prepared to lead through times of change and should always be able to spot the opportunities to advance our community’s interests. Network leaders should be strategic and opportunist at the same time. Ideally, opportunistically strategic”.
This month, we invite you to consider:
-
What leadership skills do you lean into when navigating change within your organisation?
-
How can a deep connection to purpose offer reassurance during chaotic moments?
-
How can you ensure your ERG/Network is resilient in the face of events we don’t see coming?
PurpleSpace and External Useful Resources:
Tap into our Networkology know-how and check out some of the external learning that links to this month’s leadership lesson:
-
Nothing Without Us Explores how disability ERG/Networks are now informing business performance and learning to support progress in different areas of their organisations.
-
Masterclass on Inner Confidence and Psychological Safety – hosted by Nicky Abdinor.
Masterclass with Prof. Randall S. Peterson
Join us for a month's Masterclass for ERG/Network leaders navigating chaos with purpose.
Randall S. Peterson is Professor of Organisational Behaviour; Academic Director of the Leadership Institute at London Business School and Chair of the Research Ethics Committee.
His research and teaching focus on CEO personality, top management team interaction, board dynamics, leading diverse teams, conflict management, and the effects of member personality on group interaction and performance.
His newest book is ‘Disaster in the Boardroom: Six Dysfunctions Everyone Should Understand.’
Attendees will be able to secure a 40% discount on orders after the session.:
Australia and New Zealand Leadership Roundtable
We also bring together our Australia and New Zealand ERG/Network leadership community together for a session on:
This session will be based on our May Leadership Lesson:Trust is more than a transaction.