Cumbria Chamber of Commerce welcomed a packed audience on Tuesday for its first Leadership Conference, bringing together speakers and local business to share insights and practical tools on how build and lead high-performing teams.
Neil Jurd, bestselling author of The Leadership Book and founder of Leader-Connect.co.uk, opened the event with a talk breaking down leadership into easily-learnt skills and qualities, emphasising the importance of authenticity, “the only way you can lead effectively is just be yourself.”
Former UK Special Forces Colonel Jack Felix then spoke about his own considerable experience as a combat leader and more recently as a business leader, stressing the human element behind successful teams, saying putting your most important asset first – your people, was key.
Following Jack’s talk, Macarena Vergara, a coach and leadership expert who works with leaders all over the world, delivered a message of empowerment with a simple yet impactful reminder that, “everyone is capable.”
Rounding off the day, Polar explorer and founder of The Polar Academy Craig Mathieson inspired the audience with stories from his leadership in extreme conditions and captivated the audience while talking about his charitable work, taking troubled children on expeditions to the North Pole.
Head of business support Lesley Robinson said: “It was a real privilege to hear from four fantastically diverse speakers all with different experiences and backgrounds. Three out of four speakers were ex-military and shared how their service helped shaped them as leaders.
“The whole room was captivated by our final speaker Craig, who rebuilds confidence and gives a brighter future to young people in the darkest times of their lives.
“His trips with the young people to the North Pole gives them back a sense of purpose and determination to succeed which was truly inspiring. This will now become an annual chamber event!”
