When Laura and Linda first met at an event several years ago in Florida, Laura was surprised to hear Linda was leading the Leprosy Mission Scotland. She, like many others, had been under the impression leprosy had been eradicated; upon discovering that was not the case, Laura became curious and engaged Linda in today’s conversation about her work and what’s happening with the disease.
Over the course of this
conversation, the women cover a number of topics including the vision for the
organization’s future work, what can be accomplished when a group of passionate
people come together focused on a common cause, why developing yourself and
your people is the key to success, and how self-care feeds everything!
Linda has been with the Leprosy
Mission Scotland for 21 years, starting as its Executive Director and growing
into the organization’s CEO. In her role, she travels the world to connect with
colleagues, raise funds, evaluate the organization’s operations, and meet with
and learn the stories of the people who have been diagnosed with this disease.
Like so many others, Linda
learned the hard way that self-care is required if you have any intention of
being productive, effective, and having any kind of staying power in whatever
role you play. The pervasive thinking that putting in long hours, always
putting the business first, is some kind of ‘badge of honor,’ is nonsense in
Linda’s experience.
“God designed us to take time out
for rest and relaxation, to enjoy the splendor and wonder of his creation,” she
explained. “We plan down time for machines and maintenance of equipment and
systems, but not for ourselves.”
It’s with this perspective that
she is leading her organization and has built that mindset into her culture.
Her team does not work when they are on holiday, and the understanding is that
if you leave a message or send an email to someone who is out of the office for
this purpose, you won’t get a response until they return to work.
“I use humor to get this message
across,” said Linda. “My ‘out of office’ message is in the voice of my laptop,
explaining in a Reply email that ‘Linda went on holiday and left me here in the
office…’” Her focus on connecting with and attending to the needs of the people
in her work and life are evident in her practices and communication.
Linda educates Laura on the
current state of Leprosy, how many people are diagnosed with it daily (the
number is staggering if you stop to think about it), the mindset issues
associated with contracting and treating the disease, and what the Leprosy
Mission is striving to achieve: Leprosy defeated and Lives Transformed.
Listen in as Linda shares her
insights about inspiring her team – “People are keen to be part of a winning
team and they want to make a powerful impact.” She speaks to the idea of and
focus on working herself and her colleagues out of a job when the disease is no
longer an active health issue. And how she’s invested in her own personal
growth and the intentional development of not only her team, but her colleagues
in the other Leprosy Mission organizations around the world.
In the end, Linda says she wants
her epitaph to read: “She made a real difference.” As you listen in on today’s
conversation, I’m sure you’ll agree, Linda Todd has already made a real
difference and continues to do so.
About Linda Todd
Linda is the
Country Leader and CEO of The Leprosy Mission Scotland. She joined TLMS as
Executive Director in March 1998. Linda has extensive leadership, fundraising,
coaching and management experience gained from over three decades of working in
the Voluntary Sector and continual professional development. She is a Diploma-qualified
member of the Institute of Fundraising, a Chartered member of CIPD, and a John
Maxwell authorized Coach and Speaker. Under Linda’s leadership, TLMS holds
Investors in People Platinum. She plays an active role within the Global
Fellowship, currently chairing the Member Review Working group; a member of the
TLM Trust India Board, and the reference group for the Leadership Development
Program. Linda also plays an active role within Scotland through various
umbrella-organizations – The Scottish International Development Alliance and
the Institute of Fundraising Scotland.
She lives on
the south side of Glasgow where she attends Auldhouse Community Church. Other
areas of service include the position of Treasurer for Glasgow Street Pastors
and a member of Thornliebank Community Council. Other than her faith, her three
great passions are her pug, Carletto (who thinks he’s another member of the staff
team), her bolt-hole in the East Neuk of Fife, and The Leprosy Mission
Scotland, though not necessarily always in that order!
