We’ve caught up with Louise over a year after our first conversation with her. This time she’s the recipient of our Corporate Services’ function’s ‘Rising Star’ award! In our latest blog we discuss development, combatting ‘imposter syndrome’ and much more.
Read on to find out how Louise’s journey over the past year has led her to success here at Essex County Council:
Last time you touched on being totally new to this field – how has your knowledge come along since then and how have you been supported in developing?
Having the opportunity to work across Learning & Talent Development, People Management, and Organisational Development has given me broad exposure to the HR profession, in ways I never expected – and it’s accelerated my understanding more than I could have ever imagined.
A lot of my growth has come from the relationships I have built across the People & Organisation Development service and wider organisation. Being able to lean on colleagues, ask questions freely, and see how different teams operate has been genuinely invaluable, and it’s made me realise how much you can learn simply by being curious and staying connected.
Over the past year, the moments I’ve grown the most, both personally and professionally, have been the ones that felt slightly daunting at first. A key example for me has been facilitating live sessions and presenting, which initially felt well outside my comfort zone. Stepping into those situations rather than shying away from them has done more for my confidence and capability than anything else. It’s uncomfortable in the moment, but it’s always been worth it.
A year after your previous blog you’ve been awarded ‘Rising Star’ within the Corporate Services function – how does it feel to be recognised for your dedication and effort?
Being awarded ‘Rising Star’ within Corporate Services has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
Recently, I’ve really focused on putting myself out there, saying yes to new challenges, and squeezing every opportunity to learn. To have that recognised in this way is a real confidence boost and it reinforces that the effort has been worthwhile. It motivates me to keep going, keep learning, and continue building on what I’ve started.
More than anything, I see the award as a testament to the support I have received from colleagues, line managers, and the informal networks I’ve been lucky enough to build along the way. Knowing that people took the time to write the nomination and genuinely wanted me to be recognised means more than the award itself.
If you could sum up one thing that has been key in your career journey’s success so far, what would it be?
Curiosity – and then having the bravery to actually follow it.
Being genuinely curious, asking questions, and absorbing as much as possible has been the foundation of everything. But I quickly learnt that curiosity on its own only gets you so far. The real growth has come from acting on it – saying “yes”, stepping into the unfamiliar, and trusting that the discomfort is worth it.
In my last blog post I spoke a lot about imposter syndrome. Coming into the organisation straight from sixth form with very little experience, it was something I felt constantly, and I kept waiting for it to ‘disappear’. But I’ve learned to see it differently:
Imposter syndrome is a sign that I’m working towards something ambitious. And if I’m not feeling it, that’s probably a sign I’m not pushing myself enough. So, rather than fighting it, I’m learning to get comfortable with it – to treat it as a signal that I’m on the right track. And if it ever does ‘disappear’, that’s my cue to seek the next opportunity that will challenge and stretch me further.
Inspired by Louise’s story? Learn how you can get your start in local government on our ‘Entry to Work’ page.
Louise has come a long way since we last spoke with her! Read her first blog here.
