Why Leading the Movement?
Matt is the Strategic Director of People and Operations at Greater Manchester Moving, a leading charity in Greater Manchester that aims to transform lives through movement, physical activity and sport.
Matt holds primary responsibility for key operational functions throughout the organisation, acts as the Executive Lead for Business Operations, Children and Young People, Active Adults Teams and Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI).
“I was particularly interested in accessing coaching that could offer new perspectives, support my personal development and build my confidence in leading this work. I also wanted a dedicated and safe space to step back from everyday responsibilities, reflect on my experiences, and explore effective approaches to the challenges I was encountering.”
Matt found it motivating to have a reflective and supportive environment where he could process situations and explore his thoughts. He sought structured guidance on communication, influencing, leadership development and ways to build confidence and resilience. The programme offered valuable space for reflection, enabling him to thoughtfully analyse his experiences and consider different approaches to leadership challenges.
Hearing positive testimonials from colleagues who had previously participated in the programme also influenced Matt’s decision to apply. Their experiences gave him the confidence that the programme would be meaningful and impactful.
"I wanted support in addressing the challenges unique to my responsibilities within Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to ensure I can contribute effectively and make a meaningful impact."
Challenges
As a leader, Matt wanted to strengthen his role as Executive Lead for EEDI, specifically focusing on:
- How to navigate complex and often uncertain leadership challenges where the path forward is not always clear.
- Determining where to prioritise efforts within the EEDI agenda, building consensus and aligning diverse priorities and perspectives.
- Acting as a liaison between the Steering Group and the Board, ensuring that progress, challenges and priorities are communicated effectively and that discussions at Board level remain informed by the experiences and perspectives of colleagues across the organisation.
"As Chair of our organisations’ EEDI Steering Group, I play a role in
ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities and accountability, while keeping the group focused and maintaining momentum. At the same time, the work requires adaptability, as plans often need to respond to emerging developments and shifting organisational priorities."
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Coaching experience
"My coaching experience was excellent. The sessions were both enjoyable and thought-provoking, providing a fresh perspective, especially due to its emphasis on diverse and inclusive leadership.”
- Safe, supportive space: Matt aimed to reflect more deeply on the challenges he initially brought to the programme, while also positively influencing other areas of his work.
- Coach’s approach: Matt particularly valued working with his coach. Her approach created a comfortable and constructive environment that encouraged open reflection and honest discussion. Matt appreciated her style and the way she guided conversation, balancing support with challenge in a way that helped him think more critically and develop greater clarity and confidence in his approach.
"I’m someone who values coaching, so the coaching-based approach immediately appealed to me. I was also particularly interested in its focus on ‘inclusive’ leadership, which felt both timely and directly relevant to my role."
Benefits and outcomes
Strengthening mutual accountability: This involved improving communication through open conversations, making a conscious effort to understand different perspectives and leadership styles.
Shaping an inclusive and psychologically safe culture: Matt reflected on his role in setting the tone for conversations and how to balance openness with sensitivity to differing viewpoints. This helped him gain confidence in fostering constructive discussions with colleagues.
Leading through uncertainty and with vulnerability: Leadership can be complex and often lacks a single ‘right’ answer. Coaching helped Matt embrace uncertainty as a normal part of leadership, rather than feeling compelled to have all the answers.
Confident decision making: Matt learned to balance following established plans with allowing for open conversations to unfold naturally, giving space for colleagues’ perspectives to shape the discussion. This approach enhanced his ability to respond thoughtfully, adapt strategies as new insights emerged and lead implementations with greater confidence and flexibility.
Building shared ownership of EEDI across the organisation: This involved engaging colleagues, communicating the approach clearly and encouraging participation. This increased collective accountability enabled Matt to distribute leadership more effectively and strengthened overall team engagement.
“My advice would be to approach it with intention, openness, and curiosity. Listen deeply to others’ experiences and reflect on your own biases, and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices can contribute. Challenge existing assumptions, foster shared ownership of solutions and stay committed even when the path is complex. Invest in your own development and seek support, like Leading the Movement coaching - you won’t be disappointed!”
Ready to lead with clarity and confidence?
Coaching gave Matt the space to reflect and grow into a more grounded, inclusive and influential leader. Take the first step and self-nominate today to lead in your space with purpose.
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