Authentic Leadership
2024 Future Leaders embarked on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery in our first session on Authentic Leadership, presented by the incredible Jeremy Dooley.
With over two decades of experience designing and facilitating workshops worldwide, Jez is a true master in human connection, leadership, and team dynamics. Beyond his workshop expertise, he’s a mentor, coach, and trainer, helping individuals enhance their coaching, facilitation, and leadership skills.
Jez’s passion for understanding people has led him to some unconventional paths, including his current role as Leadership Development Manager at RMIT University and his success as a touring stand-up comedian, selling out shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Under Jez’s guidance, our cohort delved deep into the realms of authenticity, exploring what makes each of them uniquely themselves. It was a transformative experience that left our Future Leaders inspired and empowered.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
The crucial topic of wellbeing and mental health, guided by none other than Steve Gamble from Anchor Health Group 💼💬
In a world where stress and pressure are constant companions in leadership roles, discussions like these are invaluable. Steve’s insights likely provided our future leaders with invaluable strategies for maintaining mental wellness on their leadership journey. 🧠💪
“Health is Health.” It’s high time we shift the narrative, recognising that mental health is as vital as physical health. 🔄💡
By embracing a holistic approach to HEALTH, we’re not only dismantling outdated stigmas but also fostering an environment where seeking help is encouraged. Together, let’s work towards reducing suicide rates in Australia and beyond.
Developing a High Performance Culture
FLP delved into “Developing a High-Performance Culture” with Wayne Pearce! 🌟
After two insightful sessions, we’ve taken deep dives into self-discovery and mindfulness. Now, we’re ready to tackle the core of organisational vitality: nurturing a high-performance culture.
In today’s fast-paced world, excellence is not just a goal—it’s essential. We learned that it’s about empowering individuals to thrive, fostering innovation, and making collective success the norm.
Last night, Wayne Pearce shared invaluable insights on building and sustaining a high-performance culture.
From nurturing talent to fostering accountability and promoting collaboration, we uncovered the key pillars of organisational excellence.
Networking
We delved into the art of Networking with none other than Julia Palmer from Relatus and it was nothing short of insightful. 🌟
In a world where leadership isn’t just about individual prowess but about forging connections and collaboration, Julia brought to light the power of leveraging networks for leadership success. 🌐💡
Here’s a glimpse of what we explored:
🔍 Mapping our professional networks to fuel career growth.
🎯 Developing our personal brand to boost credibility and industry reputation.
🤝 Amplifying influence through effective relational networking and stakeholder management.
Because let’s face it, in today’s landscape, cultivating and leveraging networks isn’t just a “nice-to-have” skill—it’s the critical component for leadership triumph!
People Management & Talent Acquisition
Industry experts James Ritchie and Brigette Landy captivated the session with their insights on people management and talent acquisition.
The discussion kicked off with essential leadership skills, emphasising the importance of building trust and transparency within teams. James and Brigette shared personal stories from their leadership journeys, providing real-world examples of how they navigated challenges and achieved success.
The panel delved into effective communication and the art of delivering performance feedback. Attendees were particularly engaged during the segment on mentorship and coaching, where our speakers highlighted the transformative power of these practices in shaping future leaders.
A significant portion of the session focused on talent acquisition and retention strategies. Brigette and James offered practical advice on attracting top talent and maintaining a motivated workforce, drawing from their extensive experience in the field. Our 2024 cohort left the session equipped with actionable insights and strategies to implement within their organisations. The event also provided a fantastic networking opportunity, allowing attendees to connect with peers and industry experts.
Stakeholder Management
An outstanding Future Leaders a new inclusion to the program this year, focusing on stakeholder engagement with one of Australia’s premier presenters, Jaimie Abbott.
Jaimie, an award-winning media professional and international keynote speaker, brought a wealth of experience to the table. With over two decades in the industry as a Radio and TV Journalist, political media adviser and candidate, United Nations Diplomat, Managing Director of her own public speaking and media training company, and Communications Adviser for the Royal Australian Air Force, Jaimie’s insights were invaluable.
During the session, Jaimie shared her expertise on improving stakeholder engagement, influencing, and public speaking skills. Her practical advice was tailored for business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs, offering strategies drawn from her extensive career in media and communications.
Back home now from a stint in Jamaica as the Head of Communications for the UN Agency, the International Seabed Authority, Jaimie’s engaging presentation and actionable insights left a lasting impression on all attendees.
Project Management
A highly insightful session on project management, presented by our very own Future Leaders alumni and esteemed committee member, Chanel Egan.
Chanel, a seasoned project management professional with over a decade of experience, guided us through the foundations of project management, covering both traditional waterfall and modern agile processes. Her extensive background in HR and IT projects, combined with her certifications in PMP, Scrum, and SAFe Agile methodologies, provided a robust framework for understanding how these tools can be applied effectively in various contexts.
The session focused on the practical application of project management practices, illustrating their value in driving organizational transformation and achieving successful outcomes. Chanel shared real-life examples and best practices from her impressive career, including her current role at Mastercard, where she leads complex multimillion-dollar global initiatives.
Our Future Leaders left with a comprehensive understanding of project management techniques and how to implement them in their own work and Future Leaders team projects. Chanel’s blend of academic and practical expertise, along with her commitment to fostering collaboration, made the session both informative and inspiring.
Change Management
An enlightening session on change management last Thursday, featuring the dynamic KJ Chantrey as our presenter.
KJ, renowned for her expertise in change strategy and capabilities across higher education, financial services, and government sectors, shared her extensive knowledge with our attendees. With a career that began in 2003 with a major transformation at a global airline tech company, KJ has a knack for managing complex transformations that address both people and organizational challenges.
During the session, KJ covered key aspects of change management, including change strategy and behavioural change, leadership alignment, culture evolution, and operating model change. Her insights were drawn from a diverse range of sectors, such as travel, insurance, and health, offering a well-rounded perspective on the subject.
A self-confessed “Humaneer” and change geek, KJ’s passion for humaneering—a science focusing on evolving workplaces from hands, to head, to heart—was evident throughout her presentation. Since starting her own coaching and training company in 2019, KJ has specialized in change and continuous improvement, and her current work reflects this dedication.
Our FLP’s gained valuable insights into managing change effectively within their organizations, learning strategies to foster growth, productivity, and agility. KJ’s engaging style and depth of knowledge left a lasting impression on all participants
Commercial Acumen & Contracts
We had the privilege of diving deep into the world of commercial acumen and contracts with the brilliant Suzie Leask GAICD, FGIA, Partner at Hall & Wilcox. 🌟
Suzie, a powerhouse in Corporate & Commercial law, shared her wealth of knowledge on navigating business transactions and deals with finesse.
With her impressive track record, including being a finalist for Corporate Partner of the Year 2024 and having won Private Practice Lawyer of The Year 2019, Suzie’s insights were nothing short of transformative.
Here’s a glimpse of what we covered:
• Key Contract Terms: Understanding crucial elements, intellectual property, and heads of agreements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating risks like unfair contract terms and competition law.
• Negotiation & Risk Management: Pro tips for effective contract management and negotiation.
• Hypothetical Exercises: Engaging in practical negotiation scenarios to sharpen our skills.
Suzie’s expertise, from global transactions to board roles and podcast hosting, added immense value to the session.
Her guidance is invaluable for anyone looking to enhance their commercial acumen and tackle legal complexities with confidence. 🌐💼
A huge thank you to Suzie Leask and Hall & Wilcox for delivering such an enlightening session.
Here’s to applying these insights and continuing to grow as future leaders! 🌟
Developing a Compelling Business Case
In our recent session, Steve Wait (MAICD) (He/Him), CEO of The Business Centre Newcastle shared invaluable insights into crafting persuasive business cases.
Participants engaged in interactive activities and heard real-world success stories from a local entrepreneur, one of Steve’s long-time clients.
Key Takeaways:
🌟 Strategies for creating impactful business cases
🌟 Real-world examples and expert insights
🌟 Tools to secure funding and stakeholder buy-in
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a business leader, this session equipped attendees with the skills needed to transform ideas into actionable plans.
Business Strategy Leadership Panel Recap
The success of any business hinges on the strength of its strategy. A well-crafted strategy outlines how a company plans to compete in the market and grow profitably. But while a strategy may sound good on paper, the real challenge lies in its implementation.
The panel featured two of the region’s top leaders, who shared their experiences in planning and executing strategies across diverse industries.
Justin Hamilton – Justin has led SHAC Architects, a Newcastle-based architecture firm, for 30 years. He specializes in creating innovative Education Ecosystems, designing spaces that foster learning and well-being. His work has earned SHAC top honors, including the RAIA Blacket Award.
Ivan Waterfield – CEO, HunterNet Co-operative
With over 30 years of leadership in business transformation, Ivan leads HunterNet, a network of over 150 companies. He excels in strategic development, cultural change, and driving business productivity through strong leadership and employee engagement.
These leaders shared invaluable insights on implementing strategies that drive success and growth.
Business Strategy Leadership Panel Recap
In this session, we equipped our cohort with the knowledge to make sound financial decisions in your business ventures.
We’re thrilled to have Anna Starrett as our guest presenter! 🌟
As the Chief Financial Officer of MGA Thermal and a valued member of the HunterNet board,
Anna brings a wealth of experience in corporate governance, change management, and strategy formulation.
Her deep expertise in industry and manufacturing, coupled with her Chartered Accountant credentials, make her the perfect guide for this session.
The session provided crucial insights into the financial aspects of project development and learned how to navigate the financial landscape of high-growth operations.
