From Comfort Zone to Confidence: My PPMA One to Watch Journey by Olivia McLaughlin

Hello PPMA members and friends

In our latest blog, our PPMA One to Watch 2026 winner Olivia McLaughlin from Southwark Council reflects on a transformative experience that helped them overcome nerves, discover new confidence and realise just how much they’re capable of achieving.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to describe my experience of the PPMA One to Watch Programme and, if I had to choose one word, it would be challenging. Not in a negative sense, but because it encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and grow in ways I wasn’t expecting.

I came into the programme as someone who doesn’t enjoy presenting. The thought of standing up in front of a room, picking up the microphone and sharing my own experiences would normally fill me with dread. If I’m being honest, I spent a lot of my time worrying about getting it wrong.

Over two days, that started to change.

Without giving too much away, the programme includes a range of activities designed to push you outside of your comfort zone in a supportive and encouraging environment. Along the way, I learnt techniques that I can use both professionally and personally. How to control nerves, how to project my voice, how to think about posture and body language, and most importantly, how to tell my story with confidence.

What stood out most was that the programme wasn’t just about developing confidence.

It was about understanding how we communicate, how we support one another, and how we show empathy, curiosity and genuine interest in those around us. It encouraged me to think about the kind of leader I want to be in the future and the impact I want to have on others.

One of the best parts of the experience was meeting people from councils across the country. We all arrived with different experiences, different personalities and different reasons for being there, yet within two days we had built something that felt much more than a group of participants. We shared stories, supported one another, celebrated each other’s successes and learnt an incredible amount from one another.

It’s amazing how quickly complete strangers can become a team.

The programme gave me confidence, not just in my ability to stand up and speak, but in myself. It reminded me that feeling uncomfortable isn’t always something to avoid. Sometimes it’s a sign that you’re growing.

Being named a PPMA One to Watch winner was an unexpected and incredibly special moment, one that I am hugely grateful for. Alongside that, the people I met throughout the programme are what made the experience so memorable. Thank you to the PPMA team and the Class of 2026 for the support, encouragement and friendships formed along the way.

If you’re thinking about applying, my advice is simple: go for it. Be open-minded, embrace the challenge and trust the process. You might just surprise yourself. I certainly did.