Reputation, purpose, and the mess of leadership | Tania Rhodes-Taylor
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Stewardship in an Age of Noise.
Executive Director of Communications
“When leadership goes wrong is when people cling to the baton — and you have to peel their cold, dead hands off it."
In this episode, I sit down with Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs at King’s College London, and Chair of the World 100 Reputation Network, to explore what it really takes to lead in a purpose-driven institution in turbulent times.
She shares her origin story, being the first in her family to go to university, her experience and perspective gained from working in multiple industries and countries, and what drives her personally.
Central themes are the importance of reputation, purpose, and stewardship in an age of noise. She says that "reputation is our currency" and that leader should be stewards rather than trying to be main character heroes.
Tania also share about the importance of art in providing a window into society and culture.
Key insights:
💡 Begin every decision with purpose and ask the right questions before deploying solutions.
💡 Treat reputation as currency as it enables the opportunities of tomorrow.
💡 Stay human and connected as leadership in complex institutions demands networks, trust and vulnerability.
💡 Embrace agility and honest institutional conversations about impact, differentiation and identity.
💡 Prioritise stewardship over personal spotlight and glory as your legacy should be an institution ready for the future.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a colleague, subscribe to Messy with Daniel Atlin, and leave a review to help others discover the podcast. As ever, getting through the mess is easier with friends and colleagues.
Executive Director of Communications
“When leadership goes wrong is when people cling to the baton — and you have to peel their cold, dead hands off it."
In this episode, I sit down with Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs at King’s College London, and Chair of the World 100 Reputation Network, to explore what it really takes to lead in a purpose-driven institution in turbulent times.
She shares her origin story, being the first in her family to go to university, her experience and perspective gained from working in multiple industries and countries, and what drives her personally.
Central themes are the importance of reputation, purpose, and stewardship in an age of noise. She says that "reputation is our currency" and that leader should be stewards rather than trying to be main character heroes.
Tania also share about the importance of art in providing a window into society and culture.
Key insights:
💡 Begin every decision with purpose and ask the right questions before deploying solutions.
💡 Treat reputation as currency as it enables the opportunities of tomorrow.
💡 Stay human and connected as leadership in complex institutions demands networks, trust and vulnerability.
💡 Embrace agility and honest institutional conversations about impact, differentiation and identity.
💡 Prioritise stewardship over personal spotlight and glory as your legacy should be an institution ready for the future.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a colleague, subscribe to Messy with Daniel Atlin, and leave a review to help others discover the podcast. As ever, getting through the mess is easier with friends and colleagues.
Chapters
- 00:01 Introduction to Tania Rhodes-Taylor and her background
- 02:35 Tania's unconventional origin story
- 05:24 Why Tania chose higher education as a career
- 10:00 Managing complex portfolios and competing demands
- 13:36 The importance of reputation in higher education
- 17:21 Learning from failure and career missteps
- 21:19 Preparing academic leaders for leadership roles
- 27:58 Adapting universities for the future
- 34:05 Tania's passion for art and its meaning
- 37:17 Leadership as stewardship
