Failure, Steve tells us, is a good teacher, and when you get involved in leadership, expect to make mistakes (and learn from them).

In this episode of our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH VP for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Steve about how his academic and leadership roles evolved, starting with a thin CV and stepping up as opportunities arose. He became involved in child health research, first in small groups, and then collaborating with colleagues across the UK and globe. His route to RCPCH President began with other College roles, including Scottish Officer and Registrar.

Steve and Jonathan talk about his leadership values: realistic communication, a flat hierarchy and a culture of respect.

• Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 7 on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the Way'- on RCPCH Learning

This month, it's our usual podcast host Jonathan in the spotlight! He's interviewed by Arnab Seal, who featured in our previous episode.

How to pinpoint the start of Jonathan's leadership journey? Perhaps when he was a senior registrar and helped set up a junior doctors' committee to come up with realistic proposals to resolve some of the things that weren't working as well as they could - like rotas. "That was leadership, but I didn't really realise it at the time," he says, "I was just doing what I felt needed to be done to make a difference."

It's a reminder that leadership often starts with small but meaningful actions.

Jonathan went on to become a consultant and senior lecturer in Leeds, and engaged in medical education and safeguarding. Now Vice President for Education and Professional Development at the College, where he enjoys learning from others' expertise and perspectives, he's been at the helm of the RCPCH Thrive Paediatrics programme, which supports paediatricians to promote wellbeing in their work. As Arnab says in his reflections on the episode, "the best leaders are those who lift others up and help them thrive".

• Read Arnab's reflections and download the transcript from episode 5 - on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning

Arnab's story is ambitious and inspiring: he helped establish a new hospital and introduced a pioneering approach to healthcare in India. That's not something many of us can say we've done. What dreams do we hold, and how can we create space to pursue them?

In the fifth episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Arnab Seal, a retired paediatrician in Leeds who worked in both general and community paediatrics (as he loved doing both). His special area of interest is neurodevelopmental paediatrics and he became the lead paediatrician for the service in Leeds.

Arnab shares his insights with us on pursuing dreams, developing leadership qualities and "leaning in" to adversity.

• Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 5 - on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning

What's at the heart of leadership? For Dal, it's about being authentic - to be self-aware and grounded in our values. But it's also about learning to be vulnerable - to admit when we don't have the answers and to let go of our "armour". It's not easy, but it's powerful.

In the fourth episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Dal Hothi, consultant paediatric nephrologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London and recent Officer for Lifelong Careers at RCPCH.

There are many layers of learning. Dal explains how her journey has been about "going from a space of knowing to learning". She's become a leader because she is "willing to learn and be open to experiences and trying to understand".

• Find out more about Dal and see related resources - on RCPCH Learning
• Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode
• Download the transcript (PDF)

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

Josh's story began with a simple but powerful moment—he took an opportunity that came his way.

In the third episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Josh Hodgson, new Chair of the Trainee Committee about his journey into leadership.

They consider how leadership so often starts with recognising the right opportunity and having the courage to take it. Leadership development doesn't have to be formal, and finding mentors and taking time for reflection can be just as impactful as structured training.

• Find out more about Josh and see related resources - on RCPCH Learning
• Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode
• Download the transcript (PDF)

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

Step out of your comfort zone, encourage others, simply show up with integrity... leadership doesn't always mean taking centre stage.

In this second episode of 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, by Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training, speaks with Dr Emma Dyer as she completes her tenure as Trainee Committee Chair.

Emma used to think of leaders as charismatic, sociable, the ones who always put their hands up in a meeting. But as an introvert, she's brought her own way of being an effective - and collaborative - leader to the workplace and College.

• Find out more about Emma and see related resources - on RCPCH Learning
• Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode
• Dowload the transcript (PDF)

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

Leadership isn't about titles - it's about action, passion and impact. And it's for everyone working in child health.

From clinical academia to national leadership in education and training... Dr Simon Broughton, General Paediatrician and RCPCH Officer for Recruitment, shares how mentorship, joy in work and early succession planning have shaped his career.

This is our first episode in 'Leading the way', our monthly series of leadership conversations, hosted by Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH Vice President for Education and Training.

• Find out more about Simon, get the transcript and see related resources
• Read Jonathan's reflections on this episode

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

Dr Ronny Cheung, Officer for Health Services, joins Alison Firth, Head of Health Policy, and Bruce Warwick, Public Affairs Manager, for a lively discussion on how our landmark report – a blueprint for transforming child health services in England, published last autumn - has helped secure commitments to deliver care equitably for children at a national and local level.

Together, they take a close look at what these national commitments over the past six months mean for elective and community services. The trio also reflect on some of the challenges along the way as well as the opportunities to come.

Looking ahead, Ronny, Alison and Bruce consider the next six months for child health services. There's a focus on the Long-Term Workforce Plan and 10 Year Health Plan refresh and how the recommendations in our blueprint have helped focus the College's approach to these major opportunities.

As ever when working in influencing, events often overtake us no matter how hard we plan. As such, it is worth noting that this episode was recorded before the College heard the news that NHS England would be abolished.

In this episode, you'll get a rare insight into how staff and members produce policy and then use this to influence decision makers at a national level.

Download transcript

See our blueprint for transforming child health services in England