Purposeful working: authentic leadership to enhance the student experience

This chapter considers the golden thread of purposeful working and highlights how integrated practice can bring about enhancements to the student experience. The author draws on how her fundamental ethos for integrated working, “making a difference to students’ experience of higher education”, has enabled her to effect change in her organisation. The chapter complements existing narratives in the edited collection by drawing on the importance of Bill George’s concept of “authentic leadership” that promotes transparency on the part of leaders. The author reflects on how this “golden thread” of purposeful working has been brought to bear through a model of student engagement and staff–student partnership. In particular, the chapter considers how the author has drawn upon her leadership role to facilitate joined-up thinking across the University about how to deliver an excellent student experience, and to champion the continual enhancement approach which is key to partnership with students in this area. This approach means that the author ensures everyone is travelling in the same direction with one objective: to deliver a great student experience and students set for success in their future careers.