The Apprentice Mindset: Learning from Those Who’ve Been There
Leadership Lessons Worth Passing On
In my very first placement as an apprentice, I met two people who made a lasting impression: the Leading Hand and the Front-Line Manager I was assigned to. They treated me not as a spare pair of hands, but as an equal and someone worth investing in. They offered real guidance, they checked in on my progress, and - most importantly - they gave me space to grow.
That early experience taught me something foundational: leadership isn’t about position. It’s about presence. It’s about the way you make others feel supported, stretched, and seen. And often, those early examples shape us far more than we realise.
Leadership by Example
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with people who’ve helped me grow. Not by telling me what to do, but by modelling what it looked like to lead with integrity, curiosity, and care.
When I joined the design department, I was welcomed by many. But it was the Section Leads and Group Leads who truly stood out. They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. They stretched me with complex tasks, supported me when I needed guidance, and encouraged me to find my own way forward. I didn’t realise it at the time, but their belief in me helped form the confidence I now carry into my own leadership.
In my first management role, I worked closely with someone who once told me that I could shape and negotiate a new contract as I saw fit, but that he was there to back me if I needed it. That sense of empowerment changed the way I led from that moment forward.
But perhaps no one has influenced my leadership more than someone I’ve had the privilege of working with over many years. His energy, humility, and ability to lead with trust and respect is something I’ve long admired - and tried to emulate. He coached without controlling, mentored without overshadowing, and always made people feel they mattered. His style wasn’t loud, but it was unmistakably strong. I’ve learned more through observation than from any course or textbook, and I continue to carry those lessons with me.
Creating the Space for Others
I’ve tried, in my own way, to pay that forward.
I’ve always worked to connect across all levels of the organisation - especially with Early Careers talent. I’ve sponsored Young Professional Networks, encouraged reverse mentoring, and created opportunities for others to be heard. I tend to mentor informally -offering reflections, asking questions, and giving people space to explore their own answers.
And, whilst I don’t always get it right, I try to be present in the way others were for me. Supportive, but not overbearing. Encouraging, but willing to challenge. Available, without taking over.
What Makes a Mentor?
In my experience, the best mentors listen - with care and empathy. They don’t just share answers; they share space. They let you try, they let you fail, and they’re there to reflect with you when things don’t go to plan.
They help you see your own potential more clearly. And they offer perspective - not to close down thinking, but to open it up.
Who Are You Shaping?
We often think of learning as something that happens at the beginning of a career, but I’ve found the most powerful lessons often come later: when you look back and realise just how much someone’s example shaped the leader you became.
Leadership is rarely built alone. If you’ve been fortunate enough to learn from those who’ve been there before you, the best way to honour that is to become someone worth learning from.
