Angela Atkin, Manager, Leader, first and longest serving team member for www.dosh.org and a world class cake cutter.

I arrived in my new appointment as a Managing Director in 2009. I was going to be leading what was a new company, doing something different for people with a learning disability. I had previously been involved in direct care; this was going to be completely different! To say I was a little nervous is an understatement.

Moments after meeting my new colleague Angela Atkin, the nerves disappeared, I knew I was going to be working alongside a super professional and someone who I would enjoy working with.

I have had the good fortune and privilege to work with several ‘Rock’s during my careers, for this article I have based this piece on Angela, who I worked with and depended on for 15 years and someone who continues to be a ‘Rock’ for the company I worked for long after I retired.

What is a ‘Rock’?

They are the anchor within a team and or company, providing continuity.

They have a strength of character, presence and are good communicators.

They have a depth of knowledge about how your team and organisation works and this quickly becomes evident.

Someone who has your back when you are up against it.

Why a ‘Rock’ is important to you and your team.

You cannot always be there, not just when you are absent on leave, you may be delivering training or attending conferences. You need someone who you can trust and depend on to steady the ship (if needed) and keep it sailing in the right direction.

Ten attributes of a ‘Rock’?

  1. They are resilient. As you would imagine, in the early years of our company, things went wrong, not everything we tried worked out first time and a much-needed restructure needed to take place after my first year. Angela seamlessly adapted, adjusted, and quickly returned to pre-crisis status.
  2. They are role models for your colleagues especially those who are new to your team. Angela sets herself extremely high standards of conduct and has a strong work ethic.
  3. They are calm, no matter what the situation or crisis which then a calming influence on those around her has including me! It was not unusual after a long drive from a across the country, a regular conversation on my arrival at the office, would be “this has happened and this is what we have done about it.”
  4. They can consistently influence colleagues and teams within the wider organisation to the mutual benefit of your team.
  5. They have their own networks which benefit the team and company.
  6. They are loyal but will challenge and question. You knew you might not have got it right when Angela raised her eyebrow and tilted her head – this was code for “that’s probably not your best idea Steve.”  
  7. Excellent organisers and facilitators. Turning up for a team development day after travelling over 150 miles from home to find everything was set up waiting to go.
  8. They are leaders and managers – they do not need a title. However, you should do everything within your power to recognise and reward their contribution and the difference they make. If there is an opportunity to promote this person into a leadership and or management position, so much the better. They should be an integral part of your ‘succession management’ strategy.
  9. They have ‘integrity.’ Related: My other ‘Rock’ https://leadershipintheraw.org/2026/01/19/being-married-to-joyce-a-model-for-integrity-and-why-it-matters/
  10. They have a sense of humour. I rarely left the office for a long journey home without a smile on my face and usually a chuckle after a parting shot from Angela

Related:  https://leadershipintheraw.org/2019/10/25/find-people-who-make-you-better-part-2/

I have always judged teams and organisations on what happens when you are not there. It helps when you have a ‘Rock’ within your organisation. Thanks Angela.

So, do you have a ‘Rock’ in your team that you can all count on?

Source:  Steve Raw www.leadershipintheraw.org