{"id":271,"date":"2025-11-05T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/changing-ourselves\/?p=271"},"modified":"2025-11-04T10:34:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:34:42","slug":"generosity-as-a-superpower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/changing-ourselves\/2025\/11\/05\/generosity-as-a-superpower\/","title":{"rendered":"Generosity as a Superpower\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve\u00a0recently stepped into a new role,\u00a0(no\u00a0really, no\u00a0parade necessary)\u00a0heading up the\u00a0new\u00a0Centre for Coaching & Leadership and\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0been\u00a0reflecting\u00a0(aka\u00a0overthinking)\u00a0on\u00a0my own leadership style\u00a0and how I would like to\u00a0show up.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As\u00a0a\u00a0coach, I\u00a0have the privilege of working with and\u00a0learning from\u00a0really inspirational\u00a0leaders across\u00a0the\u00a0University and\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0noticed something: the leaders who create the most impact\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0always the loudest or the most visible.\u00a0They\u2019re\u00a0the ones who lead with generosity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not generosity in the financial sense, but in the way they show up. They give people their full attention, they share\u00a0credit\u00a0and they create space for others to grow. They coach, rather than command.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019re also often the ones who don\u2019t see themselves as\u00a0\u2018good\u2019\u00a0leaders \u2013 we\u2019re\u00a0so\u00a0conditioned to\u00a0a traditional,\u00a0heroic, masculine,\u00a0model of leadership\u00a0that\u00a0people whose\u00a0strengths lie in empathy and compassion, who are quieter, more humble, more reflective,\u00a0often struggle to recognise their impact on others.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why generosity matters\u00a0for us, now:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a sector shaped by constant change, performance pressures, and complex demands, generous leadership might sound like a luxury.\u00a0But\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0argue that\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a strength,\u00a0perhaps even\u00a0a superpower!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amy Edmondson\u2019s work on psychological safety reminds us that people do their best work when they feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves. Generous leaders create that safety. They model trust, openness, and care.\u00a0Kathleen Fitzpatrick\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Leading Generously<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(2024) argues that generosity is essential to renewing\u00a0higher education\u00a0communities under pressure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Centre for Coaching & Leadership we want to\u00a0help drive\u00a0a\u00a0cultural\u00a0change at the University, where everyone,\u00a0(not just those in formal leadership roles),\u00a0feels empowered to\u00a0share ideas,\u00a0make changes, have open\u00a0dialogue\u00a0and\u00a0build meaningful\u00a0relationships. We think\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0how we can enable\u00a0us all\u00a0to do our best work and to thrive.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019d\u00a0love to hear from you\u00a0in the comments\u00a0\u2013 where could\u00a0<\/span>a little more generosity\u2014of time,\u00a0trust, or belief\u2014\u00a0help to\u00a0shift\u00a0our culture and move us forward?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n