Liz Gandara,
Estates Manager
“It was refreshing to have something a bit left field which involved a blank canvas rather than starting with a grid or written phrases.”
Leadership development doesn’t always begin with frameworks or written reflections. Sometimes, the most powerful insights emerge when people are given the freedom to think creatively. That was the case when Liz recently created her Leadership Compass as part of the Personal Leadership Programme activity designed to explore the values and motivations that guide our leadership.
At first, Liz wasn’t quite sure where to start. The idea of beginning with a blank canvas felt unusual compared with the more structured tools we often use. However, the creative aspect quickly became refreshing. The concept of having a personal “compass” resonated strongly with her, reflecting the sense that leadership is often guided by an internal pull or sense of direction.
Liz began by focusing on a simple but powerful idea: it’s not the weight we pull that matters most, but the reason we pull it. From there, her compass took shape visually around the image of a horse, something that reflects both her love of drawing and her long-standing connection with horses.
As she developed the drawing, the values that guide her leadership found their place within the image. Qualities such as heart, kindness, honesty, and bravery were positioned where they naturally belong in the body, while elements such as vision and knowledge pointed the way forward. Other elements represented the responsibilities we carry and the things that support us along the way, with communication, collaboration, and challenge linking everything together. True to Liz’s personality, humour also found its place in the picture. Note the positioning of humour in her drawing below!
The process also helped Liz clarify something she has been reflecting on for some time: the influence horses have had on shaping her leadership. Through her interest in Equine Facilitated Learning, an approach that uses interactions with horses to develop self-awareness and communication skills, Liz has long recognised how working with horses can strengthen the way people interact with each other. Creating the compass helped bring that insight into clearer focus.
Sharing the finished compass with colleagues felt personal, but the response was overwhelmingly positive. More than appreciating the artwork, colleagues connected with the meaning behind it and recognised the message Liz was conveying about purpose, values, and direction.
The exercise also gave the team an opportunity to see leadership through each other’s lenses. While each compass reflected an individual journey, the activity highlighted the shared values and sense of direction that bring the team together.
Liz’s compass is a reminder that leadership is not only about the work we do, but about the motivations and values that guide us along the way.
