Lesson's in Leadership: My Journey as a Regional Lead
- Muntaha Hasnath
- 15 minutes ago
- 4 min read
By Muntaha Hasnath (Y5 - Exeter)
When I first became the Exeter Regional Lead for Medics&Me, I was… honestly, overwhelmed. I had no committee, just myself, and the weight of a new leadership role I didn’t really know how to navigate. I’ve held leadership positions before, but nothing could have prepared me for this!
And yet, four months later, we’ve grown into a 13-member committee, running both Exeter and Cornwall branches, winning awards, and successfully leading projects that make a real difference both across our region and nationally.
I want to share my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and some advice for anyone stepping into a similar role for the first time.
Say Yes to Leadership
If you’re offered your first leadership opportunity, don’t shy away. I know it can feel intimidating…I certainly felt the same but the growth you gain from stepping up is incomparable. Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks or people; it’s about mindset. The organisational skills, systems, and strategies will come, but the first step is just saying yes.
If I can do it, seriously you can too!
The Power of Vision and Community
The most important ingredients in building a successful team? A clear vision, like-minded people, and a genuinely supportive community.
After attending the Regional Lead's National Training Day in Manchester and meeting other RL's, I felt inspired and had been given the training and toolkit- it was just time to start! What really made the difference was knowing I had a network of mentors and peers to guide me. Medics&Me isn’t just a charity, it’s a family and everyone was so supportive.
This is where I need to give a huge shoutout to Kelley and Charlie, our incredible Director's of Regional Leads. They have been with me through the highs and lows, always just one message away. Kelley and Charlie always know who to contact within the charity, provide constant moral support, and keep me motivated whenever things felt heavy or overwhelming. They made me comfortable and supported from day 1.
They made Medics&Me feel like a community rather than a hierarchical system, and that sense of belonging is exactly what I am fostering in Exeter and am emulating in my leadership .
One piece of advice that stuck with me came from Dr Megan Pode, the founder:
“Team members can feel lost and unmotivated if they don’t have something specific to work towards. Give them ownership, allow them to feel supported and empowered.”
That advice changed everything for me!
Giving Your Team Ownership
In my committee, every member is a lead. Whether it’s clinical education, schools outreach, or media, each person has a baby- their own project, their responsibility. Equally- they reap the rewards and impact of their hard work. Autonomy is empowering (particularly in voluntary organisations where people give their time for free)... and the results have been incredible.
I make sure to recognise and reward effort. We’ve started a Committee Member of the Month award, and members earn certificates for mini projects they lead. Feeling seen and valued motivates the team to grow and contribute even more- I have felt so proud watching them smash it!
Communication and Organisation
Regular committee meetings are non-negotiable. I like to make our meetings a mix of warm, social catchups and structured planning. This ensures rapport and professional productivity go hand-in-hand. Knowing your team, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, is crucial. When possible, in person meetings are a great way to form closer bonds within the team and strategise together.
We use a central Notion document to track tasks, meeting notes, plans, and even for planning Instagram posts. Mini community WhatsApp group chats for different sub-teams (media, clinical education, Cornwall branch) keep communication focused and avoid spamming members unnecessarily.
Organisation and transparency are the backbone of a successful team. Everyone knows what’s happening, what they’re responsible for, and how their work contributes to the bigger picture. I find this clarity allows each team member to know where they are at, what to do and I can step in to support easily if required.
Reflection and Feedback
I like to keep a Medics&Me journal to reflect after meetings and projects. Honest feedback from my committee helped me evolve from a perfectionist who wanted everything done my way into a leader who trusts the team. I’ve learned that what may seem like imperfections in someone else’s work can actually be the perfect strengths, and that the magic really happens in collaboration!
Anonymous Google forms and regular check-ins allow my committee to provide feedback, and that has been instrumental in shaping a more effective, happy team. I can quickly check in on their progress without having to chase and any issues are quickly flagged, equally I am able to celebrate their wins and achievements.
Celebrate the Wins
From raising over £100 for Medics&Me’s 5th anniversary to launching the Speciality Series and soon an MMI Series, these achievements are the result of collective effort. Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, it’s about building a team where everyone thrives, grows, and contributes. Also being open to new ideas, perspectives and critiques is so important. The sum of the parts truly are greater than the whole... bring on 2026!
Final Words
Leadership can be intimidating, but it’s worth it. The growth, skills, and confidence you gain are invaluable, not just for a CV, but for your personal and professional development. With vision, community, ownership, communication, and reflection, even a nervous first-time leader can build a thriving, award-winning team.
So, to the next Regional Lead reading this: take the leap, trust your team, and embrace a beautiful journey. You’ve got this.
All your hard work will be worth it, trust me!
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