{"id":842,"date":"2026-10-05T14:23:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/vice-chancellor\/?p=842"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:23:43","slug":"the-challenge-of-challenging-and-being-challenged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/vice-chancellor\/2026\/10\/05\/the-challenge-of-challenging-and-being-challenged\/","title":{"rendered":"The challenge of challenging and being challenged"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As we start the new academic year, many of our regular rhythms return. Regular catch-ups and conversations, meetings and University committees are getting back into full swing. All these things are an important part of how we engage with one another and make decisions at Loughborough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as we return to these familiar routines, I want to encourage us all to consider whether we are we creating space for colleagues to challenge us and one another.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This matters because good decisions about complex issues rarely emerge from everyone agreeing immediately. They emerge when people bring different perspectives, ask difficult questions, test assumptions and are prepared to change their minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sometimes sense a degree of reticence to challenge one another here at Loughborough. Having worked at other institutions, I observe less challenge here than I have experienced elsewhere. I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing — it may reflect aspects of our collegiate and respectful culture. I do think, however, that we need to be careful that respect does not become reluctance to speak up. I believe we have made progress in this area, but we could go further and I think we need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, it is not easy to create an environment where respectful challenge is normalised. But I believe it\u2019s something we should strive for because we will be a better university if we achieve it.  Challenge is not the same as confrontation. We can disagree with an idea without disrespecting the person who put it forward and we should ask difficult questions because we are genuinely curious about the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such normalisation requires the conditions in which people feel able to challenge. The responsibility starts with those of us in leadership roles. We cannot simply tell people to be more challenging; we need to demonstrate through our own behaviour that challenge is genuinely welcome. That means asking explicitly for different views before a decision is made; listening carefully when they are offered; thanking people for raising them; and, importantly, showing that challenge can change our thinking. Challenge should not be viewed as undermining, nor as someone being difficult or unhelpful. It recognises the fact that those in leadership positions don\u2019t always know best and that we often arrive at better solutions when we iterate and co-create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the right environment, we should all feel able to constructively challenge. Silence is difficult to interpret. Someone may not speak because they agree, because they are unsure, or because they do not feel it is their place. I recognise that the ability to challenge is not always experienced equally. Hierarchy, relationships, status and power can all affect how safe it feels to speak up. But our aspiration should be for people to feel able to say, \u201cI see this differently\u201d and know that doing so will be welcomed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will not always agree. Nor should we expect to. What matters is that everyone should feel that their view has been heard and genuinely considered. Not every suggestion will be adopted, but we can ensure people know their contribution matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our University values play an important role in this space:<\/p>\n\n\n\n