Leading through the pandemic: The challenges of overwork and perfectionism

In this episode, Vice Chancellor Simone Buitendijk and Dr Cheryl Hurst discuss the current challenges facing academics, including overwork, the struggle for perfectionism, and the narrow definition of excellence. They focus on how leaders can harness digital transformation after the pandemic to hold onto changes that have worked well while also building back the personal connections we have been missing. This podcast episode was recorded by Dr Hurst in March 2021 via remote recording. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available at: https://business.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/219/podcast_episode_4_iwd_2021_-_transcript Cheryl Hurst is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at Leeds University Business School. Her research responds (broadly) to two key questions: how does organizational gender inequality persist, and what is the role of leaders in developing effective EDI based programs to shift the current status quo? Cheryl's research interests surround the themes of (in)equality; diversity management; effective leadership; and organizational change. Simone Buitendijk is the thirteenth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, a major Russell Group University with a commitment to high-quality education, a strong and dynamic research base and a track record of social, economic and cultural development. Before joining the University, she was Vice-Provost (Education) and Professor of Maternal and Child Health at Imperial College London.