Leading to Change: L2C Connect podcast

17. Leadership Success Profile: For Coaching and Mentoring

In this insightful episode of the Leading to Change Connect podcast, host Ailsa Martens is joined by Susan Nevill, Principal Lead within the Leading to Change Delivery Team, to explore how the Leadership Success Profile (LSP) can be a transformative tool for coaches and mentors working across social work, social care, and health.

Together, they unpack how the LSP supports reflective practice, uncovers untapped leadership potential, and fosters meaningful development conversations. Whether you're a coach helping individuals navigate their leadership journey or a mentor guiding through professional experience, this episode offers practical advice on integrating the LSP into your practice.

Learn how organisations can embed the LSP into internal coaching and mentoring programmes to cultivate a culture of relational leadership and self-directed growth.

For more resources and information, visit leadingtochange.scot/podcasts

Click here to download the transcript.

 

18. Leadership Success Profile: What's Changed in the App?

In this episode of Leading to Change Connect, host Ailsa Martens speaks with Sara Dewar, Principal Lead within the Leading to Change Delivery team, about the exciting updates to the Leading to Change app following the launch of the new Leadership Success Profile (LSP).

Sara shares how feedback from operational leaders shaped the app’s evolution—introducing a more flexible profile setup, a refreshed user experience, and the brand-new Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Learn how these changes make leadership development more accessible, relevant, and engaging for professionals across social work, social care, health, and related sectors.

Tune in to discover:

• The three biggest updates to the app
• How the new SAQ supports leaders at every stage
• What’s next for the app, including smarter learning links and sharing features

Whether you're new to the app or a long-time user, this episode offers valuable insights into how Leading to Change is evolving to better support your leadership journey.

Visit leadingtochange.scot for more resources, videos, and FAQs.

Click here to download the transcript.

 

19. Leadership Success Profile: Exploring the LSP in Social Work and Social Care

Podcast Episode: Exploring the Leadership Success Profile in Social Work and Social Care

In this episode of the Leading to Change Connect podcast, host Ailsa Martens is joined by Claire MacFarlane, Specialist Lead within the Leading to Change Delivery Team, to explore the Leadership Success Profile (LSP)—a powerful framework designed to support operational leaders across social work, social care, and health.

Together, they unpack the unique leadership challenges faced in social work and social care, including navigating fragmented systems, multi-agency environments, and the emotional demands of frontline leadership. Claire shares how the LSP provides a shared language and reflective tool to help leaders build resilience, foster inclusive practices, and strengthen collaboration across boundaries.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• How the LSP supports personal and team development.
• Using the LSP to build partnerships with voluntary and community organisations.
• Embedding inclusive leadership practices.
• Practical ways organisations can integrate the LSP into leadership development strategies.

Visit leadingtochange.scot for more resources, videos, and FAQs.

Click here to download the transcript.

20. In Conversation with Gillian Currie

In this episode of Leading to Change Connect, Ailsa Martens meets Gillian Currie, Independent Sector Lead for Scottish Care, to explore the realities, challenges and opportunities of leadership across Scotland’s social care landscape.

Gillian offers a deeply insightful look into her role advocating for independent sector providers within Glasgow City’s Health and Social Care Partnership. She shares the pressures facing the sector, the importance of being a trusted conduit between partners, and the misconceptions that often surround independent care organisations.

Together, Ailsa and Gillian discuss:

• What day‑to‑day leadership looks like in the independent care sector
• Why flexibility in development opportunities is vital for social care staff
• How meaningful collaboration is built on trust, listening, and equality
• The impact of Leading to Change programmes, including Leadership Links sessions and the Developing Your Confidence as a Leader event
• The value of creating safe spaces for honest conversations, growth, and shared learning

Reflecting on her journey with Leading to Change, Gillian highlights the power of accessible CPD, cross‑sector connection, and leadership support that truly meets people where they are.

This warm and energising conversation shines a light on the dedication, innovation and humanity across Scotland’s social care workforce—and the leadership that makes collaborative change possible.

🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode
Links to the report, Leadership Links recording, and related stories are available in the episode transcript.

To download the transcript, please click here.

21. In Conversation with Michele Lorimer

In this episode of Leading to Change Connect, we sit down with Michele Lorimer, Principal Lead for Organisational Development and Leadership at NHS Education for Scotland. With a career spanning over 30 years across community, hospital, corporate and national settings, Michele brings deep experience, humility and warmth to this reflective conversation about leadership, learning, and cross‑sector connection.

Michele shares insights from her varied career journey — from data inputter, to policy roles, to finally landing her “dream job” in organisational development — and reflects on what continues to motivate her: helping people feel confident, connected and able to do their best work.

Michele shares how being part of national leadership programmes has influenced her own practice — reminding her to stay curious, listen deeply and value the wisdom that participants bring. She reflects on how learning spaces can feel restorative during times of pressure, helping people reconnect with their purpose, see new possibilities and remember that “we’re in this together.”

This thoughtful, grounded conversation offers a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about one person steering the ship — it’s about creating the conditions for many people to contribute, influence and move forward together.

Read the full transcript here.

 

22. In conversation with Amina Slimani-Fersia

In this episode of Leading to Change Connect, host Ailsa Martens is joined by Amina Slimani‑Fersia, Interim Head of Pharmacy Governance and Therapeutics at NHS Fife. Amina offers an honest and thoughtful look into her leadership journey—from her work in medication safety and system-wide improvement, to her deep commitment to compassionate, inclusive leadership.

A long‑time participant in Leading to Change events, Amina reflects on what drew her to the Diversity Coffee Connect series, why ongoing development matters more than one‑off programmes, and how reflective, community‑centred spaces have shaped her as a leader. She shares practical insights on creating psychological safety, embracing vulnerability, and building trust through consistent behaviours.

Listeners will hear how Amina integrates self‑reflection, curiosity, and diverse perspectives into her daily practice, and why she believes leadership is “a journey, not a destination.” She also highlights the value of accessible resources like Reading to Change and book club sessions—small, flexible opportunities that help leaders stay grounded and inspired.

Whether you’re new to leadership or well along your path, this conversation offers encouragement, relatable experiences, and actionable ideas for leading with compassion, courage, and connection.

 

Download the transcript for this podcast here.