Update: Self-Doubting Leaders Club

A few months ago Sally Byng put a call-out in our News Bulletin to any VCSE leaders in Gloucestershire who might self-identify as self-doubting, asking if they like to join a newly forming club.

Here's an update rom Sally, along with an invite for any other 'self-doubting' leaders in the county...

"In my original invitation, I suggested that the club was for anyone who felt overwhelmed on a daily basis by:

  • Feeling like you never get it right, whatever right is;
  • Trying to get through the day, let alone look to the future;
  • Knowing you can’t please all of the people all of the time, but feeling like you don’t please any of the people, any of the time;
  • Having to be all things to all people.

and/or who wanted to meet others who felt the same.

So far 35 people have said they’d like to come along and we’ve had two get-togethers – so the club seems to have struck a chord!

It’s a social support space where we:

  • Share the complexities of trying to do the right thing not the nice thing;
  • Find out to our surprise that we’ve all been there, and we’re all struggling but feel like we have to look like we’re not; 
  • Discover that people we thought just sailed through are challenged just like us; and
  • Seek a shoulder to cry on if needed.

It’s deliberately an open group: anyone who sees themselves as a self-doubting leader is welcome to come along. You don’t need ‘permission’, you can come for as much or as little as you like, turn up at whatever time you can make and talk about whatever you need to.

We’ve agreed to meet once a month on the first Tuesday, alternating each month between 8am & 10am and 5pm & 7pm, and meeting in each other’s venues.

I am hosting it (in my personal capacity, not from my employed role at Barnwood Trust) and keeping a bit of order. We start by nourishing ourselves with good food together, check in who’s there, who wants space to talk about something specific and who wants just to hang out and talk together. And then we just get on with it.

Interesting in joining the club?

Our next get-together is on 6 May between 8am & 10am at Forest Voluntary Action Forum at their base (Ow Bist – Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford, GL142AN). Chris Brown (CEO) has promised to provide Tesco’s finest fruit and pastries for breakfast !

Any questions, do feel free to drop me an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I’ll be sending out more details nearer the time to those who’ve joined the mailing list so far.

Please feel free to pass this invitation on to anyone who you think self-identifies as self-doubting.

p.s. This isn’t about formal action learning, mentoring or coaching. It is a social club. So if you need any of these I’d encourage you to look for those opportunities specifically – there is lots on offer through the Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance".

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