In this inspiring episode, Sue Vasey, CEO of Chain Lane Community Hub, chats to Mike Hickman, Leadership Development and Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, about how starting with a bold, barrier-free “utopia” vision can transform strategic planning for charities.

Drawing from her decades in the voluntary sector - and the journey to save and revitalise Chain Lane Community Centre - Sue explains why leaders should define their ideal destination first, then work back to navigate the practical realities.

She and Mike explore resilience, self-leadership, and the discipline to stay true to core values, even when funding pressures tempt organisations off course. Sue recounts tough decisions, including walking away from a £1m contract that conflicted with partners’ missions, and emphasises integrity, generous leadership, and wisdom as essential leadership qualities.

A candid and hopeful conversation for anyone steering a community organisation through uncertainty, this episode reminds us: utopia isn’t a naïve dream - it’s the compass that keeps us moving in the right direction.

In this candid and insightful episode of our Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders podcast, Mike Hickman, Leadership and Development Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, sits down with Richard Cooper, Chief Executive of the Harrogate Homeless Project and long-time leadership steering group member. Richard unpacks a leadership philosophy that embraces accountability, encourages failure as fuel for growth, and challenges hierarchical decision-making.

Together, they explore how to create a culture of courageous responsibility, and why sometimes the kindest act is nudging someone out of a comfortable “fur-lined rut.” Listeners will walk away with practical strategies - from transforming one-to-ones into empowering development conversations, to fostering collective ownership of organisational contracts and change.

In this Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders podcast, titled "The Curious Case of the Umbrella in the Boardroom", Mike Hickman, Leadership Development & Training Manager at Community First Yorkshire, is joined by Sally Steadman - a former mentee turned mentor, senior leader, charity trustee, and passionate advocate for good governance and visible leadership.

Together, they delve into what really makes a board work, why governance isn't just a buzzword, and how trust, diversity, and collective responsibility shape successful leadership. From the power of mentoring to the importance of having the right voices at the table - and even a metaphorical umbrella - Sally shares candid reflections and practical wisdom for new and experienced trustees alike.