What does it feel like to hand over something you built yourself?
Nearly five years ago, Phylly Jones and I started a company running after-school drama clubs for kids in Barcelona’s international schools after graduating from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Two years ago, we paused it for a while, and this week, we started again.
But this time, we’ve hired someone else to deliver the programme.
It’s been a strange feeling, to say the least.
I’m used to being the one in the room.
I know how the sessions should feel, how to read the energy of the kids, when to push, when to slow down, and how to make sure everyone is included. Handing that over means trusting someone else to bring their own version of it.
I’d never call myself a control heavy… but this week made me question that a little.
I wanted everything to go well. I wanted the quality to be there. I wanted the kids to have the same experience we had imagined.
And I had to remind myself: that doesn’t mean I have to be in control of every detail.
This is a new kind of leadership for me.
It’s about training well, communicating clearly, giving space for reflection, and trusting that the person delivering the programme will grow, just like I did.
It might not look exactly like it did when I was the one running it. And maybe that’s okay.
Maybe that’s actually the point.
Curious (and slightly nervous) to see where this project goes next, embracing whatever comes with an open heart!
PS: Here are some masks our Youth Theatre created for a Greek Mythology unit.
#entrepreneurship #leadership #dramaineducation #facilitation #trust #barcelona #dramaclub
