Our last event of the year was held on 9 December, a learning session on Networking for Success, delivered by RDA Illawarra CEO Debra Murphy.  Debra adeptly took us through the goals and outcomes we should expect from networking, the critical importance of first impressions, the do’s and don’ts of networking and how to spot a group that looks like they would welcome you to join them.  There were some very helpful tips and insights shared that we can all use in future networking situations. 

The session was followed by our LIP Alumni Celebration where we had the chance to test out our new skills!  It was great to catch up with Alumni from past LIP programs and celebrate the beginning of the festive season with our LIP supporters Associate Professor Grace McCarthy from UOW, Graham Lancaster, President of The Illawarra Connection and LIP Buddy Bill Dowson OAM.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at RDA Illawarra and the Leadership Illawarra Program. We look forward to seeing you in 2022.

On Saturday 27 November 2021 we attended a Leadership Masterclass at UOW, the second UOW Masterclass in our series of three, presented by Dr Christopher Sykes, Management Discipline Leader in the Faculty of Business and Law. Chris’s PhD is in the area of organisational change and his research focuses on practices and processes in organisations and how they are shaped by the operations of time, power and politics. Throughout the interactive Masterclass, Chris encouraged us to explore these topics further and conducted a deep dive into questions like ‘Who do we think is a good leader and why?’, ‘Does our current position require us to be an organisational leader?’ and ‘What leadership challenges or issues are we currently involved with?. 

All participants had the opportunity to share their leadership story in detail and learn from the challenges and triumphs that each other are facing.  Some thought provoking leadership research papers spanning two decades were provided as pre and post reading for the session.  These resources, together with links to research from management theory expert Henry Mintzberg helped us to synthesise and consolidate our existing and newly formed ideas. Further learnings will evolve from the optional assessment piece - critically analysing a contemporary leadership issue, presented in business report style. LIP participants who satisfactorily complete the assessment task will also gain valuable credit points towards an MBA/further study at UOW.

So what qualities do the LIP think makes a good leader?  Here’s a summary - how many do you identify with as a leader?

​The LIP were delighted to attend a site visit at Peoplecare on 16 November, generously organised and hosted by Peoplecare Executive staff Dr Melinda Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Maree Morgan-Monk, Head of People, Culture & Capability, James Robins, Chief Information & Digital Officer, Anita Mulrooney, Head of Customer Service & Marketing and James Koutsoukos, Chief Commercial Officer. 

At this unique opportunity to meet five of the executive team, we experienced first-hand the relaxed, warm, fun and engaging culture of Peoplecare that clearly aligns with their stated values. 

First up, Maree and Melinda briefly took us through the Peoplecare 66 year history, from its start as the health fund for John Lysaght Australia Ltd in the early days, to BHP in the 70s, and expansion to BlueScope Steel and affiliated companies from 2000. In 2006, the fund became a national, open to all, not-for-profit health insurer and has since changed its name to Peoplecare, with the distinctive purple and orange branding we know today.

We then broke into groups to learn more from each leader and their area of responsibility within the business. Here’s some of what we learned:

• “It was fascinating hearing about their strategic shift from business unit silos to being mission-driven. It opened my thinking and inspired me to assess what I can apply to improve my role/business.”
• “Each of the topics were very interesting, the most inspiring thing was the passion that each of the Executives had in the new approach and their belief in what Peoplecare stands for”.
• The “ultimate focus on people – staff and customers”.
• “Balancing the level of change versus the level of stability”.
• “Simplicity and clarity of focus – at the very top”.
• “Agile practices and learning from that, the challenges around growth and diversification in a saturated market”.

 
After a brief walk through the offices, Anthony Palermo delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the group. It was a valued chance to learn about Peoplecare’s vision, strategic journey and leadership approach from its team of executive leaders and reflect on how these principles could be applied in our own leadership roles.  

On 26 May 2021, LIP took a tour of the Illawarra’s iconic BlueScope site, learning more about what BlueScope does from tour hosts Craig Nealon and Eric Bradley.  It was fascinating to see the steel making processes in action as we toured the facility in our protective gear, listening intently to the commentary via the headphone system.  Following the tour, we heard from Dave Bell who is BlueScope’s General Manager Manufacturing Australian Steel Products.  Dave generously shared his leadership insights and advice on leading through challenging times and maintaining a healthy work life balance in a question and answer session with Debra Murphy. 

Some of the key take aways from the talk are captured here:

When leading in challenging times, people become well aligned and able to focus on common goals.  BlueScope endured difficult times in 2011 and 2015 due to economic challenges and the key to success during this period was to openly communicate with staff about the realities of the challenges being faced.  Staff appreciate their leaders taking the time to meet with them and discuss the issues the staff and business are dealing with and have their leader really hear them.  In these times it is important to “say what you will do and do it”.  How leaders treat their people is noticed and remembered.

Dave explained how he maintains his authentic self as a leader.  Thrown into a leadership role at just twenty-one, it was daunting but he found it fun too.  He realised management and leadership was his strength and he deliberately honed his leadership skills by attending courses and absorbing and implementing what was taught, watching others, reading widely, stepping up to volunteer for new challenges, learning from mentors and being open to the vibe of society.  Being mindful that you don’t have to be right all the time, “what’s important is the outcome for longevity” of the business.

On maintaining a healthy work and life balance, Dave’s advice was to learn not to “ruminate”, don’t keep thinking and going over in your mind “what if”, “if only” and replaying events in your mind after work, or in the middle of the night.  Learn to switch off – this can be done.  Being physically healthy and finding something you enjoy like walking, bike riding or martial arts will also force you to think about other things.

On the advice Dave would give his younger self - he would take more calculated risks.  When leaders are young, there is time to take these risks, look for roles that might suit you, assess the pros and cons - it could lead to more career advancement than you initially thought possible.  The most memorable achievement as a leader was successfully leading the team through a significant technical problem.  Dave was able to lead, help and support staff through this difficult period and find important solutions.  Looking to the future, Dave is excited about developments in digital technology that will enable the business to enhance its competitiveness.
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The LIP attendees thoroughly enjoyed the visit, put simply in the vote of thanks by Gregory Claydon, it was a greatly appreciated opportunity to learn from one of the region’s senior leaders who spoke so openly about the environment leaders operate in and the challenges they face.  

Last night we launched the 2021 LIP Mentor program with a training session and meet and greet. Inside Industry at Coniston was buzzing with chatter as our enthusiastic LIP participants embarked on the first of two mentor journeys in the LIP program.

It was a great opportunity for mentees to meet with their mentor for the first time and start getting to know them.  Mentor and mentee training was provided for each group, followed by a networking opportunity with wine and canapes. 
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We look forward to hearing updates on how the mentoring partnerships are going and the key learnings.

On 27 March 2021 the first UOW Master Class for the 2021-2022 Leadership Illawarra Program cohort was presented by Associate Professor Venkat Yanamandram on the topic: Magic of Marketing.  The Master Class provided participants with a highly condensed one-day highlights session covering key marketing concepts that will be addressed in the assessment task. 

The lecture and discussion covered the definition of marketing in the current environment with an increased focus on technology, globalisation and social responsibility.  Participants were then introduced to the value chain, consumer behaviour theory and segmentation, targeting and position concepts. The day concluded with an introduction to branding principles and marketing communication theory, with some fun and memorable examples.  The session served as a taste and introduction to proven marketing concepts that Leadership Illawarra Program participants can read up on and explore further before implementing back at their place of work.

Guest presenter Natalie Chapman, Managing Director of gemaker, presented a thought provoking session on how different businesses ‘Died, Survived and Thrived’ during COVID-19.  Natalie is a STEM commercialisation and marketing expert who consults with businesses on how to “be ahead of the game and not behind it”, constantly scanning the national and international environment for trends, opportunities and connections.  She also took participants through an example of how to incorporate data and evidence based decision making into marketing strategy. 

LIP members who submit the assessment task are eligible for specified credit points towards a degree program offered by Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong.