Leaders with Purpose

manifesto
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What does it really take to lead with purpose in a world of uncertainty, complexity and constant change? What happens when profit, people and values collide? Hosted by Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai from Manifesto, Leaders with Purpose goes beyond the headlines and leadership clichés to explore the real, messy, and meaningful work of leading with courage and clarity. Every fortnight, hear from the leaders shaping the future across non-profits, culture, technology, and mission-driven organisations to unpack how they stay connected to purpose, navigate transformation, and lead with integrity. Through honest reflections, surprising lessons, and practical takeaways, this podcast offers a candid look at what it means to lead today. You’ll hear from industry experts, peers, and change makers across sectors, sharing lived experiences from the frontlines and the system’s edges. Because great leadership doesn’t always come with a playbook, but it always starts with purpose.

  1. Why charity leaders need systems thinking for the future

    1D AGO

    Why charity leaders need systems thinking for the future

    How can charity leaders plan for the future when complexity is the norm? What does systems thinking look like in the charity sector? In this mini episode of Leaders with Purpose, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai revisit key insights from their recent full-length conversation with Dr Claire Routley, Consultancy Director at Legacy Futures. Legacy giving is inherently long term. But sustainable legacy programmes don’t sit in isolation - they’re shaped by supporter journeys, organisational culture, generational change and the wider social and economic systems charities operate within. Timestamps: - What systems thinking means in practice - Moving beyond simple cause and effect in strategy - Why legacy fundraising can’t be added onto a weak supporter experience - Systems thinking as a leadership skill for the future - Why systems change is hard (and why charities are part of it) - Generational shifts, consumer trends and the future of legacy giving This is a mini episode extracted from the full episode with Dr Claire Routley. If you’d like to explore future thinking, legacy fundraising trends and long-term charity leadership in more depth, you can find the full episode on our channel! If you value conversations about charity leadership, systems change and future-focused fundraising strategy, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Leaders with Purpose. Connect with us: Claire Rutley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    11 min
  2. How systems thinking helps leaders make better decisions

    FEB 4

    How systems thinking helps leaders make better decisions

    How can charity leaders plan for the future when uncertainty is the norm? And what does systems thinking actually look like in practice? Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai are joined by Dr Claire Routley, Consultancy Director at Legacy Futures to explore systems thinking, futures thinking, legacy fundraising and the leadership skills charities will need in the years ahead. Claire shares her journey into legacy fundraising, why legacies are one of the fastest-growing income streams in the sector and how leaders can think long-term without pretending the future is predictable. Together, they cover: - Why certainty is no longer a leadership strategy - Claire Routley’s path into legacy fundraising - Why legacy giving is growing and why it matters - What systems thinking actually means in practice - Why legacy can’t be separated from the wider supporter journey - Futures thinking and planning for multiple possible outcomes - Emotional intelligence, presence, and modern leadership - Polymath leaders, curiosity, and leading alongside AI - Gen Z, hope, and the future of the charity sector - Leadership advice: holding space rather than having all the answers Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations on leadership, charity and creating impact that lasts. Subscribe to the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ASRJjPQjcijfeFxyiafX?si=41269ee0af1a468d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-with-purpose/id1836126863 Connect with us:  Claire Rutley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    54 min

  3. JAN 21

    How charities are using AI and what leaders need to know

    AI is moving fast across the charity sector but are leadership teams and boards keeping pace? In this mini episode of Leaders With Purpose, Zoe Amar shares key insights from the latest Charity Digital Skills Report and her work with charity leaders and trustees across the UK. While many charities are making real progress with digital and AI adoption, Zoe highlights a growing gap between innovation on the ground and confidence at board and CEO level. This episode explores what the data is really telling us about AI readiness in charities, why leadership capability matters more than ever, and how boards can engage with AI without needing to become technical experts. You’ll hear about: • Why over three quarters of charities are now using AI and what that progress is built on • The leadership and governance skills gap holding some organisations back • How boards and leaders can approach AI as a strategic and organisational challenge, not a technical one • Creating a culture of curiosity, learning, and safe experimentation • Agility over fixed AI roadmaps in a fast-moving and uncertain landscape This is a snapshot of a much deeper conversation about leadership, vulnerability, governance, and responsible AI adoption in complex and sensitive contexts. Listen to the full episode of Leaders With Purpose for the complete conversation with Zoe Amar, where we go deeper into leadership culture, ethics, service design, and what it really takes to lead well in the age of AI. Subscribe for more conversations on purpose-driven leadership, technology, and the future of the charity sector, and hit the notification bell to get notified whenever a new episode comes out. Connect with us: Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    12 min

  4. JAN 7

    AI, leadership and purpose: What the charity sector needs next

    Welcome to our first episode of 2026! In this special episode of Leaders with Purpose, our hosts are joined by Zoe Amar - AI and digital transformation expert in the charity sector, founder of Zoe Amar Digital, and co-chair of the Charity AI Task Force. Zoe shares her deeply human leadership journey, from early career pivots and moments of self-doubt to shaping how charities could approach AI, digital skills and responsible innovation today.  Together, they explore what it really means to lead through uncertainty, especially when the pace of digital change feels relentless. This conversation goes far beyond technology. We talk about vulnerability in leadership, representation and belonging, and why curiosity, service design and ethical decision-making matter more than ever as AI reshapes organisations. You’ll hear: → Why AI adoption is a leadership challenge, not a technical one → How leaders can build confidence while sitting with uncertainty → The future of governance, rethinking trusteeship and the skills needed for a successful future → What the Charity Digital Skills Report reveals about readiness, risk and opportunity → The case for service design, user needs and inclusion at the heart of innovation → And much more! This episode is essential listening for charity leaders, trustees, policymakers and anyone grappling with how to lead responsibly in a rapidly changing and AI world. Listen now and join the conversation! If this episode resonates, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s thinking deeply about leadership, purpose and the future of work. Connect with us: Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Louise Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    1 hr

  5. 12/17/2025

    Leaders with Purpose unwrapped: leadership tips and advice to take into 2026

    If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, we have a treat for you. We’ve collated a highlight reel of the best actionable advice from our recent Leader with Purpose guests (and some you haven't see yet, too) But we’re just getting started... We’ve got a massive lineup of speakers in the pipeline for the new year, including leaders from The Sweaty Betty Foundation, Legacy Futures, Tate and Designability. Connect with this episode's guests: Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/ Dr David Hunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hunt/ Louise Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lane-2765222a/ Martine Parnell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martineparnell/ Claire Routley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/ Zoe Amar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/ Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    10 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    How leaders can build trust and safety in uncertain times

    What does it really mean to lead with purpose when the world feels unstable, expectations are rising, and trust is fragile? In this episode of Leaders with Purpose, Daniela Flores joins the conversation to share what she’s seeing first-hand as organisations struggle to turn purpose from a statement into a lived experience.  Drawing on her work with global businesses, Daniela reveals why so many leaders say the right things, yet fall short when it comes to consistency, trust, and follow-through. Together, they discuss: - Why purpose can’t live in marketing alone - How leadership behaviour shapes culture - And why psychological safety has become one of the most important responsibilities leaders hold today Daniela also shares practical insight into how leaders can navigate pressure without trying to have an opinion on everything, and how clarity, alignment, and consistency create a sense of safety for teams even when answers are incomplete. This episode is for leaders who want to act with integrity, bring their people with them, and build cultures that can withstand uncertainty. Connect with us: Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/ Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Purpose Union: https://www.purposeunion.com/ Manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    12 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    How to lead through constant change without burning out

    In this episode of Leaders With Purpose, we sit down with Daniela Flores, co-founder of Purpose Union. This social purpose strategy firm helps major organisations, including BLab, NatWest, SKY, RFU, Unilever and Wellcome, tackle some of today’s most complex societal challenges. Instead of circling the usual “purpose talk,” Daniela takes us inside the real pressures modern leaders face: When should I speak? What if we get cancelled for choosing a side? How do we stay commercially strong and purpose-led? What does “being brave” actually look like when the risks feel huge? Daniela shares how purpose-driven organisations can find a voice that isn’t reactive, isn’t performative, and isn’t shaped by fear. From navigating geopolitical flashpoints to addressing DEI commitments, she explains how leaders can choose their lane without trying to comment on every issue or collapsing under public expectations. We also explore what purpose looks like in a “woke vs. anti-woke” climate, where companies are told to speak up and stay silent at the same time. Daniela offers a grounded way to decide what matters, when to show leadership, and how to hold your integrity even when the stakes feel high. The conversation moves between leadership tensions, parenting while leading a business, the rise of ethical AI, mentoring the next generation, and finding stability in a world that rewards outrage. It’s honest, warm and full of insight for anyone navigating modern leadership. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment with your reflections, and share this with someone who’d love it. Connect with us: Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ Daniela Flores: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-flores-mprca-a12869/ Purpose Union: https://www.purposeunion.com/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    54 min

  8. 11/19/2025

    Why the boring parts of digital transformation matter with the Royal College of Anaesthetists

    In this mini episode of Leaders With Purpose, Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai revisit their conversation with Dr David Hunt, Director of Digital, Data and Technology at the Royal College of Anaesthetists, to dive into the foundations of digital transformation - the parts that don’t always make the headlines, but make all the difference. David shares how to keep large-scale transformation projects on track: setting clear milestones, creating strong governance, and bringing people with you through every stage of change.  It’s a practical, honest look at what it really takes to make transformation work inside complex organisations. We talk about: - What digital transformation really means for purpose-led organisations - How governance and sign-off structures keep projects steady and fair - Managing resistance and building trust through communication - The vital role of project managers in keeping change moving - Why listening, empathy, and clarity matter more than any framework This episode is a companion to “Dr David Hunt on leading digital transformation at the Royal College of Anaesthetists”, where David shares his broader leadership journey and lessons from leading change with purpose, so go check that out for a deeper dig into the topic. Join the conversation and discover why the most unglamorous parts of digital transformation are often the ones that make lasting impact.  Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share it with someone steering change in their organisation - they’ll thank you for it! Connect with us: Rebecca Hull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-hull-75a78b39/ Lou Lai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-lai-3958962a/ Dr David Hunt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-hunt/ Royal College of Anaesthetics: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/ manifesto: https://manifesto.co.uk/

    11 min
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About

What does it really take to lead with purpose in a world of uncertainty, complexity and constant change? What happens when profit, people and values collide? Hosted by Rebecca Hull and Lou Lai from Manifesto, Leaders with Purpose goes beyond the headlines and leadership clichés to explore the real, messy, and meaningful work of leading with courage and clarity. Every fortnight, hear from the leaders shaping the future across non-profits, culture, technology, and mission-driven organisations to unpack how they stay connected to purpose, navigate transformation, and lead with integrity. Through honest reflections, surprising lessons, and practical takeaways, this podcast offers a candid look at what it means to lead today. You’ll hear from industry experts, peers, and change makers across sectors, sharing lived experiences from the frontlines and the system’s edges. Because great leadership doesn’t always come with a playbook, but it always starts with purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    manifesto
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Leaders with Purpose