Once more unto the breach, dear friends

Across the health and care system, many people are feeling stuck. It’s not just the noise of policy changes or financial pressures. It’s the uncertainty that seeps into every part of the job. Services are stretched. Priorities keep shifting. Structures change faster than relationships can keep up. And in the middle of all this, we’re still expected to deliver; to make good decisions, support teams, and carry on as if the ground beneath us isn’t constantly moving.

In moments like this, leadership isn’t just helpful. It’s what holds the centre. When things are unclear or morale is low, it’s the leader who gives people a reason to keep going. And that leader might not always be the one with the most senior title. It might be the one who listens properly in a meeting, or the one who checks in quietly when someone’s struggling. But there’s no denying that senior leaders carry a particular weight. What they say, how they behave, where they put their energy; all of this shapes how others respond.

People look up, whether they mean to or not. If senior leaders are thoughtful, grounded and willing to be transparent, it gives others permission to do the same. If they disappear behind layers of process and language, then mistrust creeps in fast. And once that happens, the whole system starts to buckle.

It’s easy to say “we need good leaders.” But what does that actually mean?

It means leaders who can tolerate not having all the answers but still make a decision. Leaders who are visible and calm, even when they’re under pressure. Leaders who ask real questions, not just the ones that fit into a spreadsheet. And perhaps most importantly, it means leaders who bring people with them; not by force, but by trust.

For analysts and intelligence professionals, this matters more than most people realise. These are not backroom staff pushing buttons. These are the people shaping how we understand what’s going on; identifying what works, spotting risk early, helping senior teams make smarter, more informed choices.

But in many places, analysts are underused, undervalued or misdirected. When leadership is weak, their skills are wasted. When it’s strong, they become a strategic asset. Good leaders recognise that analysts don’t just need technical guidance. They need meaningful support, honest relationships, and to be trusted with work that matters.

So how do we build that kind of leadership, especially when the pressure never seems to stop?

That’s where CHAIn comes in.

We support people working in analytics, data and intelligence across health and care; not just with technical skills, but with leadership development that actually fits the reality of the job. We know this isn’t about ticking a competency framework. It’s about equipping people to lead well when things are hard. To be credible, to stay human, and to build teams that others trust.

We offer:

• Mentoring and coaching: Thoughtful, personal support for people navigating difficult leadership roles.

• Peer learning and connection: Honest conversations with others who know what it’s like, not just polished stories at a conference.

• Practical tools and thinking space: Not glossy handbooks but resources that help you work through real issues in real time.

• Support across seniority: Whether you’re new to leadership or managing at director level, we help you lead with integrity and clarity.

We also help leaders connect with each other. It’s easy to feel alone in these roles, especially at the top. But isolation makes bad decisions more likely. When you talk with people who get it, you can test ideas, spot blind spots and make choices with more confidence.

Leadership isn’t about pretending you’re not affected. It’s about choosing how to respond when you are. It’s about staying present when you’d rather pull back. It’s about deciding, again and again, to lead from the front — not because it’s easy, but because people need you to.

Now, more than ever, the system needs leaders who don’t flinch. If you’re trying to be one of them -  for your team, your service, your community - you don’t have to do it alone.

CHAIn is here to support you.

www.chainintelligence.org