Ready to thrive in seasons ahead
Date published:
The Chamber’s latest column for The Journal by Tim Marsden, knowledge manager
March is one of my favourite months. The first signs of spring appear, the days grow longer and (hopefully) temperatures begin to rise. It’s a time that naturally lifts the spirits. This year, a short trip to Germany reinforced that feeling. Carnival season in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz is a huge celebration, so significant it’s called the ‘5th season’. The Rose Monday parade stretched over 5km, filled with sharp political satire and humour, some of it quite close to the bone.
Another reason for optimism, at least personally, is the approaching climax of the sporting season. Football’s first major cup final of the year takes place this month, the rugby season is reaching its conclusion and the start of the cricket season is just around the corner. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how Durham Cricket’s women’s team performs in their inaugural professional season. It’s been a landmark year for Durham, with both the men’s and women’s teams touring Zimbabwe for pre-season training and fixtures.
Leadership was a central theme at the Chamber’s recent sport and business event. Speaking with our expert panellists, especially the coaches, it was clear that strong leadership, on and off the field, is critical to success. Paul O’Connell, former Ireland rugby captain, famously told his players to “be the best at everything that requires no talent.” In a sporting context, that means the small things, such as getting back up quickly, chasing back, staying disciplined and supporting teammates. In both sports and business, these fine margins make the difference.
Leadership isn’t just the responsibility of directors or senior staff; it exists at every level. Whether motivating teams, building trust, or setting an example through positive behaviours, leadership helps to shape successful organisations. That’s why ‘people’ is the focus of the Chamber’s 2025 Knowledge Programme. We’re already running Social Value workshops to explore how businesses can contribute to a stronger, fairer society, and later in the year, we’ll delve deeper into leadership and other key themes.
We are stronger and fairer together, and the Chamber will continue to lead from the front, ensuring the North East thrives in the seasons ahead.