Let Your Leadership Shine: Unmasking with Pete Broughton
Leadership often begins with a mask. For Pete Broughton, stepping into NHS leadership once meant performing certainty, carrying the pressure to know everything, be on top of everything, even when doubt lingered. That mask, he admits, chipped away at his confidence and wellbeing, spilling into life beyond work.
But something shifted. Pete began to speak up, ask questions, and show a truer version of himself. Coaching played a vital role, as did reaching out to peers and mentors. “Most people just want to help,” he reflects. That realisation changed everything.
Today, Pete’s leadership compass points firmly toward connection. His network, colleagues across sectors and workplaces, grounds him. He describes leadership not as solo heroics but as shared wisdom. And his metaphors bring this to life:
- A spring morning — peaceful, full of promise, with the sun rising on new possibilities.
- A forest — calm, busy, always growing, thriving in quiet seasonal shifts rather than front-stage spotlight.
Music also shapes Pete’s journey. Ain’t No Sunshine grounds him, while I Love It reminds him to embrace chaos and fun. That spirit carried him at 23, when he boldly moved to Ipswich without knowing anyone, a leap that was chaotic, joyful, and formative.
Pete’s challenge for future leaders is simple yet profound: How do you want people to remember you? Because, he says, people remember how you made them feel, not the reports or deadlines, but the human moments. He also wishes someone had asked him early on what support he needed to lead, a tender reminder that leaders thrive when given time and space.
Unmasking leadership, Pete believes, reveals both the nurturing and the toxic. It helps leaders realise they weren’t the problem. His word for leadership is nurturing, warm, empowering, and grounded in growth. After a decade in the NHS, Pete now stands at a pivot point, ready to cause some “good chaos.” For the first time, he doesn’t know what’s next, and he’s more excited than nervous.
Connect with Pete and follow his journey on LinkedIn: Peter Broughton