The Landor Lecture 2025
How to do work you love (and get paid for it)

Landor Association Fellow Sue Moore, one of the first King's High girls to study Business at university, has had a stellar career working internationally as an executive mentor with clients such as Sony, Microsoft, Yahoo, Cambridge University and the Dorchester Hotel.  We were delighted to hear Sue give this year’s Landor Association lecture. She reminisced about Headmistress Miss Hare (KHS 1948 - 1970) and her black poodle, Delta, and the wonderful Art teacher Mrs Soren (KHS 1934-1965) who was one of life’s positive encouragers.

Sue’s lecture centred on a number of sage words of advice which resonated with those studying, in the world of work, or about to enter it.  We include some of many gems on which to reflect.

Use our strengths
Peak performers have something in common, they are extremists; they make extreme use of their strengths.

The greatest area of potential in each of us is where we are most strong. Working on our strengths is hard enough. We need to understand our strengths in great detail, understand our successful style and find ‘sponsors’ who will pay. Working on our weaknesses will never make us excellent. It might get us to the middle, but it will never get us to the front.  Focus on the engine in ourself, not the trailer.

Expertise and talent
As a potential employee make oneself compelling by finding an employer who we know we would work best with and needs our expertise and talent.

Time and again surveys have proved that under 20% of all employees feel they have the chance to do what they do best every day.

Live our values
Live our values; don't laminate them. Promotion can take us away from the things we love.

Outcomes and people first
Great leaders lead by outcomes, not tasks. Great companies build jobs around people. They don't squeeze people into boxes. Hope is not a strategy.

Be true to yourself
Think about our vocation, from the Latin vocare (to call). We never retire from our calling. Inherently, people don't change but they can develop. A rose can be a better rose but it can’t be a daffodil.

Children
Children are not vessels to be filled but fires to be lit.

Follow your dreams
Martin Luther King said 'I have a dream', not 'I have a 218 page strategic plan. Care to see it?'. W B Yeats, a favourite of Miss Ekins (KHS 1963 - 1976), said 'I have spread my dreams under your feet, Tread softly because you tread on my dreams'.

Set talent free
The best leaders build and sustain a positive culture where they set talent free. King's High under Dr Burley has built a great culture where options are widened and everyone is given the chance to explore their talents.