Lunch with Katherine Clift

In this session, we had the opportunity to hear from Dr Katherine Clift, who shared her insights on leadership, trust, and the value of diverse perspectives.

One of the key messages was that leadership is rarely about having all the answers. More often, it involves navigating uncertainty, listening carefully, and being willing to change direction when new information emerges. In complex environments, curiosity can be far more valuable than certainty.

Katherine also highlighted the importance of trust. Strong relationships enable people to work together more effectively, raise concerns early, and tackle challenges openly. Creating environments where people feel safe to contribute, make mistakes, and share different viewpoints leads to better decisions and stronger outcomes.

Drawing on her own experiences, including living with dyslexia, Katherine spoke about the value of different ways of thinking. Complex problems benefit from diverse perspectives, and effective leaders recognise that not all leaders—or team members—will look, think, or work the same way.

Among her advice for those starting their careers were three simple but powerful recommendations: invest in yourself, seek out positive role models, and don’t wait until you feel completely ready before pursuing opportunities.

Above all, Katherine reminded us that people matter. Leadership begins with understanding, kindness, and creating spaces where others can contribute their best.