ABSTRACT
A discussion of the principles of systemic leadership introduces the interview with Ruth Silver, Principal of Lewisham College. Ruth discusses leadership within the College in a wide-ranging interview describing the multiple challenges and joys of working in the ‘adaptive layer’ of further education in Lewisham College. Ruth refers to ‘systemic leadership’, capturing for us attributes defining the connected, distinctive emotional intelligences guiding the exterior and interior worlds of the College. She outlines her own unique conception of ‘professional love’, describing the College as a ‘first day place’, and ‘a second chance institution’ for the vulnerable client group in Lewisham. Ruth places a high priority on student success and asserts the values of winning hearts’, ‘the love of the task’, uniqueness, authenticity, vulnerability; trust, honesty and integrity in leadership, placing a high priority on excellent organisational systems, and on ‘reading’ the College as a psychologist – she says that ‘organisations speak to you’. Ruth feels that leaders need to discover that where you are, a place arises’. There is a place for leaders in which, fortuitously, ‘the joy of the fit’ arises, when organisations and individuals, working well together, discover deeper truths about themselves within each other. Ruth views leadership organically and feels further education in Lewisham is ‘a fabulous place to be’. Ruth recorded an outstandingly inspiring interview, for the benefit of future leaders.
