Sarah Hawke FIoL.
Founder of Sarah Taylor Hawke Coaching for Business and Personal Development.
What do you do now?
I am the founder of Sarah Taylor Hawke, Coaching and Mentoring for Leaders and Business Owners. My coaching enables individuals to reflect on challenges and focus on personal and professional development. I am a fully qualified coach, mentor and careers coach. I am also a business consultant..
Where did your career start?
After completing my first degree in Fine Art, I was a support worker in a housing association. I was realistic regarding the limited employment opportunities for artists awaiting me and the need to support myself financially was my biggest driver at this time.
What obstacles or challenges have you experienced on your leadership journey?
I know what it is like to experience the ‘imposter’ sitting on your shoulder and talking in a very loud voice. I am open about this as this as it can have a negative and limiting impact on your self-belief in your own abilities.
When I was the CEO of my previous business, I realised what a lonely position leadership can be. I was so focussed on leading the business to the best of my ability that I allowed my role to take over my life both personally and professionally. I learnt a hard lesson from this.
Has there been a stage in your life where you first appreciated what great leadership looked like?
This question made me smile as I could give examples of leaders whose leadership was not (in my humble opinion) great. I have appreciated leaders who lead with honesty and realism, inspiring and respecting those around them. These leaders have tended not to be huge extroverts, however are very successful with the ability to create great team dynamics where talents and skills are recognised.
Do you have any examples of what you have done to develop yourself as a leader?
I studied for an MBA whilst working full time. This gave me a theoretical grounding in business that without doubt has added to my leadership skills and knowledge. For a person who previously found academic study somewhat daunting I pushed myself to complete the qualification and passing was a huge personal and professional achievement.
How do you think Leadership has benefitted you?
I have always been a quietly ambitious person. Being a leader has enabled me to play to my strengths and I have become more of risk taker who understands the importance of courageous leadership.