I’m thrilled to hear my old friend and mentor, Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely has become the First Minister of Wales.
Eluned is not only the first woman to take the seat but also someone that has devoted her life to public service and the greater good.
I had the privilege in my 20s to work with and be mentored by Eluned during her period away from politics when she became Director of Development Wales and Corporate Affairs at SSE plc, UK’s second largest energy company, then largest renewable energy company.
A few people have asked me recently, how is Eluned Morgan like?!
So, here’s the lowdown on my old mentor Baroness Eluned Morgan (now First Minister of Wales) and what I learnt through her mentoring…
ELUNED…
1. Was the youngest Member of European Parliament (MEP).
2. Is a long standing politician who understands context and communities.
3. Is straight talking and charismatic.
4. Is an inspiration for young girls, women and a trailblazer.
5. found diary and email management challenging…double booking herself and responding late to emails (…we have all done it). Eluned’s explanation was that in politics she had admin support for that…fair play!
6. Honours and remembers her roots.
7. Is someone who actively listens, thinks of what is best for the community and cares.
8. Is a problem solvers and can work pragmatically.
*Mentorship*
– Eluned was invited to mentor me as we had common interests.
– When Eluned found out the organisation did not have a formal mentoring scheme for us to join…she said to me, “Well, you and I will have to create our own mentoring scheme”.
– Eluned suggested we met together atleast one a month. She would often whisk me away off site, to a local garden centre café (…our hangout) to catch-up.
– Our conversations covered self-development, career pathways, my desire to pursue a PhD, aspirations to give back to the system, our personal values and experiences.
– In my 20s, as someone naturally trying to find her feet, Eluned taught me the importance of perseverance and resilience.
– I was reminded how important it is to stand up for my values and beliefs, aswell as others.
– Eluned reminded me, and hopefully you too now, that….you and I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but let’s atleast be our own cup of tea!…Don’t lose yourself to the system or process. Remember to honour your own journey.
– We celebrated together when Eluned became a Baroness.
– I will forever be indebted to Eluned for her kindness, insight, time and wisdom.
– We had conversations about her returning back to politics one day…I would always say…”Eluned you still have the fire, the fight in you, I can see you back in politics….”
…Fast forward 10+ years on…Not only is Eluned back in politics but in the top seat in Wales, First Minister of Wales.
Wales no doubt is in safe hands!
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7227053571693834240
