Courageous leadership is not glamorous. It is damn tough. It’s when you dig deep within yourself, connect with your deep why, values and inner strength and pull them up from the pit of your gut, and step back into the arena.

When we are emotionally agile, strong and balanced, we are able to better deal with the ups and downs of life.

We have a strong sense of self, a connection with our environment and an ability to connect with others in a way that brings out their (and our) best.

Of Ngāti Maniapoto descent, Pio Pio raised Jenny-May Clarkson (nee Coffin) is a regular face on our tele’s every weekday morning. One of many elite athletes to come from the King Country, Jenny-May has excelled in all she has set herself. More recently, and in particular during the Covid 19

At times my work has me travelling long distances to meet with Kahui Ako, schools or leaders. Which means some days I spend several hours in my car having thinking time, or my own PLD time. Tuning into podcasts and making my car a moving library or it’s own PLD

When the chips are down you have to dig-deep, haul yourself back up and focus on the task at hand, then give it all you’ve got. This learning has stood me in good stead for many of life’s challenges to date.