A Career Shaped by Curiosity, Courage and Connection

For Elaine Morrison, leadership was never a pre-planned destination. Instead, her career has been built through curiosity, resilience, and a deep fascination for human behaviour. These are qualities that have shaped not only her work but also the way she leads, listens, and empowers others.

Elaine joined the Executive Women in Leadership (EWIL) programme at a pivotal moment in her career: newly moved into her first leadership role, still questioning whether she belonged at the table, and carrying the self-doubt familiar to many women who did not follow the traditional academic path.

“I wondered whether I was really the right person to be doing this”, Elaine reflects whilst acknowledging her lingering sense of imposter syndrome, rooted in not having entered the workforce via formal higher education.

Yet from the earliest stages of Elaine’s journey, she had built a leadership foundation through people-centric roles that sharpened her influence and emotional intelligence. After leaving school at 16, Elaine spent 15 years in secretarial and administrative roles, later realising they were what shaped her capability as a leader: “I watched and listened. And that was probably better learning for me than the formal education system.”

A Career Defined by Big Thinking

Elaine describes herself as restless, driven by a constant search for “the next big opportunity” and a deep desire to work on complex, system-level challenges. Whether supporting distressed businesses, driving innovation projects, or contributing to place-based economic development, Elaine has always been energised by the work that others might shy away from. “I get bored with small projects – I like big, sticky challenges”.

Her leadership philosophy is rooted in understanding people. Behaviours, motivations, negotiations… These have always fascinated her. And crucially, she has learned how to navigate these dynamics whilst staying grounded in authenticity. “You need to find your voice and be able to say when you disagree,” she explains, “it builds resilience.”

Navigating Life’s Shifting Demands

As Elaine progressed into more senior roles, life outside work grew more complex. With a teenage son and daughter transitioning into adulthood, a grandchild’s arrival, and a close family member becoming seriously ill, she found herself juggling competing responsibilities. “You make different judgements at different points”, she shared, “you need to be kind to yourself – you’re not superwoman.”

Along the way, Elaine learned the power of honest conversations – both at home and in the workplace. “People trust you when you show you can manage things, but you also need to get what you need from the home front”.

Finding Confidence Through EWIL

Joining the EWIL programme came exactly at the right time. Elaine was in her first formal leadership role, still adapting to expectations whilst questioning her own credibility due to her unconventional career path. The programme shifted her mindset, giving her new frameworks for building trust, creating advocacy, and leading with intention.

Elaine vividly remembers the impact of hearing from the programme speakers. These were leaders who shared not just their successes but also their own vulnerabilities. One message that stuck was, “Trust and verify”. It became a guiding principle in how she delegated, empowered others, and balanced autonomy with oversight.

The programme also reignited her love of learning – “I became a bit of an avid reader afterwards, it made me curious again.”

The Power of Peer Support and Vulnerability

For Elaine, some of the most meaningful parts of the programme was the peer network. It is a safe space where women can share challenges openly. “When you show a tiny glimpse of vulnerability, others open up too”, she explained, “you can demystify things for those coming through the ranks.”

She believes strongly in reciprocal support across the network: that alumni should not only benefit from the community but also actively contribute to it. Elaine reflected, “The ripple effect is a real strength – for every woman who has come through the doors of the EWIL programme, there will be many others they have gone on to influence.”

A Career Led by Curiosity and Courage

Elaine’s story is one of self-belief developed over time: shaped by lived experience, sharpened by resilience, and strengthened by supportive networks of women leaders. She is a leader who embraces complexity, champions authenticity, and understands the power of bringing people together.

Her journey is a compelling reminder that traditional routes do not define leadership – but by curiosity, courage, and the willingness to keep learning.

This article is part of our Executive Women in Leadership Alumni Spotlight Series, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the EWLP programme in September 2026.

Our EWLP programme has evolved into our Executive Leadership Programme, which is open to all genders and is now running its fifth year. Jointly run by FWB and the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS), the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) is designed to enable the next generation of leaders across multiple ownership classes and organisations across a broad range of private, public, and non-profit sectors.

If you are interested in joining our 2026 ELP cohort, please email us at elp@fwbltd.com.