Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winners: Q&A with Emma Whiting

Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the all-new #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.

Whether it’s managing a young team in business or leading one to victory out on the court, the Jacksons Leadership winners all know how to command a room.

What is your name and age?

Emma Whiting, age 29.

Job title or role in the community?

Integrated care team leader at Hospice Isle of Man.

How did you start your career or role in the community?

I started at Hospice IOM in August 2017 as a Healthcare Assistant whilst I waiting for my professional registration to begin in November 2017. I demonstrated leadership amongst the team as following my probation period I was often allocated as the nurse ‘in charge’ when on duty. Between 2017 and March 2021 I worked as a Nurse in the Hospice In-Patient Unit excluding 11 months whilst I was on maternity leave – I gave birth to my beautiful son Jack on 12th March 2020, only a few short weeks before the first lockdown. I returned to my job in Hospice in January 2021 to a significantly different team, intense working conditions, and full-on unspent nurse energy to share with my colleagues who had worked through the first year of the pandemic. I was successful in my application for a Senior Nurse position in March 2021 and this was the first step in my formal leadership role in Hospice. I directly managed 12 staff under the guidance of Cathie Quine (possibly one of THE best, and most experienced nurse managers on the IOM). Fast forward a year and it was with Cathie’s encouragement that I applied for my current role in February 2022, and since my appointment, I haven’t looked back!

Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?

I think the biggest hurdle any practicing nurse or current nurse leader has had in their career would probably now be the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it had on staff well-being and their general health status. The lasting impact of these traumatic years is still yet to be understood. By the sheer chance of the timing of my pregnancy/maternity leave, I was sheltered from working in the height of the pandemic but since returning to work managing the anxieties within my team and ever-changing procedures and patient expectations I would still say was one of the biggest challenges we face. By ensuring I have the most up-to-date information, promoting a healthy work environment and prioritising my people, we at Hospice are beginning to move into a better place culturally following the pandemic.

Tell us about why you think you won the category you did.

On reflection, I have always been a confident leader among my peers. From being a Hockey Team Captain starting in my teens for 6/7 years, to offering to organise fundraising and social events, to my most recent job role, I am an organised, caring, person-centred individual who always trys to pull the best out of others and bring people together. Professionally, I strive for best practice at a gold standard and can see that filters out to my team as the nurses who work beside me do so too!

What are your plans for the future?

Complete my Level 5 ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Course *shout out to Lou Wheeler at L C Consultancy Ltd* and set my eyes on further education. I want to expand my theoretical knowledge to best support my colleagues and continue to grow into the best leader I can be!