A formidable tale of drive and ambition by an intrepid group of Yorkshire mums has helped to inspire business leaders at the conclusion of a prestigious leadership development course.
Two members of the Yorkshire Rows, four working mums who decided to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, addressed the Business Exchange at the Centre for Professional and Executive Development (CPED) at Teesside University’s Darlington campus.
The Business Exchange event coincided with the conclusion of the latest CPED Leading Growth course, a flagship leadership development course designed specifically for senior business executives in the North East.
The six-month development programme enhances leadership and management skills, improves confidence, enables a more strategic approach to business and improves delegation and communication skills.
The programme combines both formal and practical learning and also places a great deal of emphasis on peer-to-peer learning with a high level of interaction between cohort members.
Marc Atkinson, Managing Director of the National Safety Passport based at Fusion Hive in Stockton, said: “The course really helped me to understand myself and what motivates me.
“It also helped me to understand what it is that motivates others people and recognising that everybody has different needs.”
Sarah Taylor, Office Manager at TechConsult at Wilton, Redcar, added: “We can all be all guilty looking inwards too often and not taking the time to look outwards.
“Working with other people from different companies on the course and learning from them has been extremely helpful.”
After receiving certificates to mark the completion of the programme, the cohort joined the Business Exchange to hear from Janette Benaddi and Helen Butters from the Yorkshire Rows about their epic adventure across the Atlantic.
The Business Exchange is a network of senior leaders from businesses and organisations in the North East and North Yorkshire, with events held at CPED throughout the year.
Janette and Helen spoke about how they prepared for their record-breaking trip across the Atlantic, the obstacles they faced during the voyage and also how they re-adjusted to life afterwards.
Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: “This was an incredibly inspiring talk and the mental and physical challenges the Yorkshire Rows faced are beyond comprehension to most of us.
“However, their messages about the importance of meticulous planning, effective leadership and, above all, a strong team ethic and desire to succeed had a major resonance with our Leading Growth cohort and Business Exchange audience.”
For more information on professional and executive development at Teesside University visit www.tees.ac.uk/cped.