Five minutes with… Jake Mairs

As a student the Chair of Cheshire Business School’s Advisory Board Jake Mairs struggled with imposter syndrome and belonging. Now Associate Director of Organisational Development, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Jake explores what leading people means to him.

What makes you tick?

I've got a strong work ethic that I get from my parents. I come from a working class background and was the first in my family to go to university. What motivates me is to keep pushing those boundaries but to also give back to others. I think I’m in a position where I can help and support those who perhaps don’t have a great deal of access to opportunities.?

Do you have any vivid memories of a situation which led you to grow as a person?

During my first leadership role at Barclays Bank, a role I loved, I remember making a decision.?

It was a decision that was right for my team which was great. What I hadn’t thought through enough however, was the implications that the decision would really have.

The decision in hindsight was the wrong decision in terms of the service we were providing, and I'd put the bank and customers at risk. It’s something that has really shaped my career since, in terms of how I make decisions and how I lead people. I now have more of a balanced approach than ever.?

Another that springs to mind came during my first year at university. Like many students today, I was struggling with a sense of belonging which brings forward mental health issues and anxiety. I had the whole imposter syndrome going on and was questioning whether I was good enough to be there. Over a few months and with some good support from family, friends and the university, I came through it and began to feel more comfortable with myself. In fact it really shaped me as from it I learnt how to just be authentic and true to yourself.?

What does a growth mindset mean to you?

For me, it means doing something every day that helps you get to whatever your goal is.?

When I think of a growth mindset I always use the analogy of dieting. What happens when you’re trying to go on a diet is everyone instantly goes ‘cold turkey’ or barely eats.?

Yes, you’ll likely lose weight really quickly to hit a short term goal. But it’s very likely that it’s not going to be sustainable over a long period.?

Growth mindset is about taking small steps for me. Say you usually get three burgers from McDonald’s, get two and then next time get one. I think it’s a case of easing yourself into it so you can be motivated over a longer period.?

Who is your most inspiring role model and why?

I’ve got five or six mentors and all for different reasons. There are some people that are real role models around leadership and behaviour. How Rachel Kay, the founder of Cheshire Business School, leads Macclesfield College is one example.?

I'm brand new to the NHS and there are leaders that I look up to from a medical and clinical perspective, because of what they do, how they apply their knowledge and experience and the societal impacts it has – truly making a difference to people’s lives.?

On a personal level, my Dad's work ethic and drive has always inspired me. His story is one that started from nothing and has now become a leader in his own right and built the life he has wanted as a consequence of that.??

My Nana is also a great personal role model to me. She was never a career driven lady and had been a carer all her life. I’ve never met anyone who is so comfortable with who they are. We can think about a growth mindset and pushing boundaries, but often the biggest thing in life is, yes, being happy and healthy, but to be happy you have to be comfortable with yourself. It’s where self-confidence comes from and my Nana is the epitome of that.?

Why is Cheshire Business School important?

The first thing is that it fills a real gap that we have locally in Cheshire. The county is predominantly made up of small and medium sized enterprises that are really struggling off the back of the pandemic. There are huge workforce crises and businesses are rightly finding it difficult to survive and manage on their own.?

Cheshire Business School is really about collaboration, bringing people together and safety in numbers. It fills that gap around giving business leaders and businesses an opportunity to come together, think slightly differently and to try and get ahead of the curve; as well as how we can work together to address the bigger issues that we are all facing.?

Secondly it fits nicely with the levelling up agenda. We know there are fantastic training offers for senior leaders and CEOs down south, including those through Said Business School, Oxford. But why can’t we have a similar offer for the North and Cheshire??

Cheshire Business School is changing this and levelling up access to world class speakers.?

There are some fantastic businesses in Cheshire and we have to put a focus on that.?