We’re inviting ACEVO members to take part in a new case study series. The series aims to bring leadership to life in all its complexity – the highs, the lows, and the moments that changed everything.
This is your opportunity to share an honest reflection on your leadership journey – whatever stage you’re at – and contribute to a growing library of peer-led insight that helps us all lead with courage, care, and clarity.
We’re looking to feature members from across the leadership spectrum – with stories that are as diverse as our membership:
- Aspiring CEO – not yet in a CEO role but actively pursuing the path (you might be an Associate Member or in an SMT role within a member organisation)
- New CEO – in your first 0–3 years as a CEO in any organisation
- Growing CEO – 4–7 years into your CEO journey in any organisation
- Established CEO – 8+ years of CEO experience in any organisation
Over the year, we hope to publish three stories from each stage – ensuring a rich and representative spread of leadership experience.
We are especially keen to hear from members whose lived experience reflects the diversity of our sector and society – across race, class, disability, gender, sexuality, faith, organisation and much more – not to mention a breadth of organisations being led.
The series will be published on the ACEVO blog, and promoted throughout our digital channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram and newsletters.
What we’re hoping to achieve
We hope this project will:
- Celebrate diverse leadership stories that are honest, unvarnished, and resonant
- Create a safe space for learning from peers – real practice, over and above tried and tested ‘best’ practice
- Reinforce ACEVO’s belief that leadership is a journey best undertaken together as opposed to alone
- Spark creativity and thought amongst ACEVO’s wonderful community of leaders
What you’ll write
Each case study will follow a simple structure – making it easy to read and even easier to write (and don’t worry: we’re happy to edit and support behind the scenes!).
You’ll reflect on:
- Who you are and what you lead
- A turning point – a challenge or breakthrough moment in your leadership
- What you’ve learned – what it taught you and how it shaped your leadership
- What you wish you’d known – reflections in hindsight
- A final thought – your north star that anchors your leadership practice
How to get involved
If you’d like to share your story – or even just explore the idea – we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Gareth Oughton if you’d like to arrange a short chat to talk through the process and support you to get started.
If you have no questions and would like to get cracking right away, we’d love to hear your story now. To create structure and consistency to the wide variety of stories we hope to receive, we’ve a set of questions for you to reflect upon and respond to. Please see below.
Whether you’re just starting out, finding your rhythm, or deep into the long game – your experience matters, and it could be just the story another leader needs to hear.
Question set
About you
1. What is your current role and the organisation you lead?
2. Where are you in your leadership journey? (e.g. aspiring, new, growing, or established CEO
3. What drew you to leadership in the first place?
A defining moment
4. Can you share a specific experience or turning point in your leadership that shaped you significantly – for better or worse?
- What happened?
- How did it feel at the time?
- What did you do next?
Learning and growth
5. What did you learn from that experience?
6. How has it changed the way you lead today?
7. What strengths or qualities did it reveal in you – or challenge you to develop?
Advice and insight
8. What do you wish you had known earlier in your leadership journey?
9. What advice would you give to someone at the same stage as you – or at a different one?
Values and anchors
10. What keeps you grounded in leadership?
11. Is there a principle, quote, or piece of wisdom that guides you when things get tough?
Guidance for contributors
- You don’t need to answer every question – pick the ones that best tell your story.
- Aim for a total word count of around 700–1000 words.
- Be honest, reflective, and conversational – this isn’t a CV or press release.
- We’re especially interested in the messy middle, not just the highlights.