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Dr Sue Hybart may be Cardiff University’s director of
planning, but few would have guessed her career path when
she was studying for her PhD in Landslides.
Having worked her way up the career ladder from planning officer
to director of planning at Cardiff University, Sue considers
her management of the merger between the university and the
College of Medicine, a not undaunting proposition, as her
greatest business achievement.
Having helped to create a stronger university for Wales, linking
academics from both institutions to extend research and compete
on an international level, Sue seems a natural leader, but
she didn’t recognise her own strength until it came
to the crunch.
She said: “I never really thought of myself as a leader
until this project, although others obviously saw something
in me. Bringing two organisations together involves the work
of many people, so it was a complex project to manage - with
huge pressures. I had to really focus on the objectives and
communicate them well in order for it to succeed.
“I started to recognise leadership qualities in myself
and in many of the other people I was working with. Leadership
isn’t something reserved for top-level management and
that became clear during the project. I think if you can engage
and inspire others, their leadership qualities will soon surface.”
Sue defines her leadership style by the way she works with
others. Her innovative project management system helped to
give everyone a sense of ownership over the project and coaxed
other leaders into the limelight.
“I think anyone can play a leadership role in at least
some aspect of their work, given the right encouragement.
Some of the strongest leaders I’ve seen aren’t
at the top of organisations. While those with a natural aptitude
obviously have a head start, I think many leadership skills
can be learnt and developed over time.”
Clearly a natural project manager, Sue has recently taken
on another mammoth project in her personal life too. As well
as handling the strategic planning and merger management for
the university, Sue is also renovating an old house while
living in it.
“That is probably my biggest achievement personally,”
Sue said about the DIY venture. “Just like in the business
world, you get such a sense of satisfaction from seeing your
project take shape, develop and succeed and it’s that
feeling of pride in my work that inspires me to lead.”
As well as being sensitive and respectful of others while
keeping sight of your target, Sue believes in the importance
of a leader being able to generate and maintain a good team
spirit – a sense of humour helps!
Louise Casella, the university’s director of strategic
development, nominated Sue for the Leading Wales Award: “Sue
is a great people-person and has the rare ability to inspire
confidence in everyone she works with. She gets everyone involved
in the processes and takes them all every step of the way
with her.” |
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