How Leaders Are Made Headshot

Eve Poole

MBA 1998

Alumni 100
Third Church Estates Commissioner at Church of England and Chairman of the Board of Governors at Gordonstoun School
evepoole.com LinkedIn

After working for the Church of England, Eve Poole realised she would need more than her Theology degree to become a business leader.

She ran the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust while studying for her MBA—winning the Association of MBAs Student of the Year award to boot. This path landed her a job at Deloitte so swiftly that she missed her own graduation day.

Now, she's come full circle—working in a much more senior role at the Church of England. On the MBA, Eve realised that gaining work experience was a vital part of becoming a good leader. Her subsequent work with leaders inspired leadersmithing: a movement that helps people master the craft of leadership.

She has helped professionals across countries and sectors learn the tricks of the trade and overcome self-confidence issues—all the while exercising her true passion of helping others unlock their potential. Eve's ethos?

Leadership is attainable for everyone.

How does it feel to be selected for the Alumni 100 list?

"I feel honoured to be recognised in this way."

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

"Edinburgh is an iconic place to study and I loved the structure of the MBA."

What are your memories of studying at the Business School?

"It was relentlessly hard work and I don't think I slept all year. We had to work together as a cohort to get each other through. When I was awarded the AMBA Student of the Year I very much felt I was winning it for all of us."

What key thing that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

"No matter how brilliant you think you are, as a leader you will need other people to help you solve problems well. The very people you most need may be the ones you have already written off, so be careful not to pre-judge others. Listen to them, and remember that you always have something more to learn."

Proudest work-related achievement to date?

"First female Chairman of Gordonstoun."

What's the one thing you think current students need to develop or learn before entering the modern workplace?

"How to make timely and clear decisions, how to accept when you get it wrong, and how to bounce back."

No matter how brilliant you think you are, as a leader you will need other people to help you solve problems well.