Alli Spargo Explores Human Behaviours at Work
This is not about others, this is about "us"
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Episode notes
Only when he was unknowingly nominated and pipped to the post on the Welsh “Pinc List” by H of 90’s rock band Steps did the passionate, honest and open Ewan Hilton CEO of Platfform (formerly known as Gofal) the mental health and social change charity come out as being gay at work. He honestly describes himself as “not being a great role model for LGBTQI++, Inconsistent, flighty, short attention span, and inconsistent!” Through his position and character, Ewan has the opportunity and privilege to influence and talk about social change in high places within the Welsh Government. “The power of a truly Purpose-driven co-created organisation is a brilliant, lovely thing to be part of.”
Ewan’s obvious passion and desire to make a difference and total commitment to being person-centric, both inside and outside of his organisation feels real, congruent, and true. Ewan recognises that he holds a position of power in the organisation and he recognises that he doesn’t always get it right. Change happens when you acknowledge feeling the shame of admitting you’re wrong, which means being vulnerable. When studying a master’s degree (although didn’t make it to graduating!) he came across the concept coined by the poet Keats called “negative capability”, being comfortable with the “not knowing”. He feels his job as CEO is to hold people “safe to do the best job they can do”, creating a combined responsibility and culture for so doing – embracing the chaos! It’s about relationships.
Ewan's colourful and honest interview stands true to his form. I hope you enjoy the show.
KEY TAKEAWAY
“…being human at work, you can't talk about that without talking about shame, and owning your own shame. Some of these words are hard to say out loud, people find them difficult, but, it’s the truth. I might call it pain, and it was painful. But actually what I was experiencing was shame. You can either then be defensive and tell everyone, or you can feel it and understand it and do something about it.,,call yourself out and fess up when you need to - none of us are perfect.
We're all human. Bravery …that means also being vulnerable. You have to be brave, to be vulnerable and to cry. And to admit you're wrong. So bravely doesn't mean puffing your chest out and being right I'm going to fight that government until we win. It means I'm really sorry.”
“put safe structures in place that enable people to communicate, and feel safe in doing so.”
“positive philosophical choice, which I really like. Just approach it as if they're a good person and treat them as if they're a good person, if they end up not being, fine. But if you approach it with suspicion and angst… you don't get what you want, do you? So I really liked that positive philosophical choice part of learning”
ABOUT EWAN HILTON
Ewan has worked in the charity and housing sector in Wales since he moved to Cardiff when he was nineteen. He loves what he does and has always worked for organisations with a social purpose. He became aware of the gross lack of equality and social justice as a kid and this has driven what he does and how he lives ever since.
CONNECT WITH EWAN
https://twitter.com/ewanhilton
ABOUT THE HOST – ALLI SPARGO
Alli is the mother of two daughters and a son, a wife, a daughter and a sister. She is also an executive leadership coach who passionately believes that every individual has the potential to be who they want to be, and do what they want to do (she is living proof of that!): to BE the BEST version of themselves. Alli specialises in behavioural performance as an executive leadership and systemic team coach. Her breadth of business experience, together with her coaching and facilitation expertise, enables her to enhance leadership capability and personal impact, whilst understanding the demands of the commercial and organisational environment.
WORK WITH ALLI
If you would like explore how working with Alli would support you to be the person you want to be, have the career (and life) you want to have and support your team to perform at their optimum, then please book a free 1 hour meeting with her here
CONNECT WITH ALLI
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instagram.com/allisonspargoltd
HOSTED BY: Alli Spargo
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guest speakers. Please conduct your own due diligence.