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While I follow politics, keep abreast of business news, and enjoy the arts, when asked about inspirational leaders, my mind immediately turns to sport. 

As a proud Aussie and tennis lover, you won’t be surprised to hear that for me, US Open and Wimbledon ace Lleyton Hewitt is the embodiment of determination and resilience. Less well known, on these shores at least, is Joel Selwood, one of the greatest leaders in Aussie rules football history. Known for his courage and ability to perform on the field, and his eloquence and personable nature away from it, he’s someone I strive to emulate.  

 

Despite my responsible role and industry board positions, I’ve never seen myself as a name at the top of a structure chart. Leadership isn’t a title, it’s a personality mindset, with a healthy dose of experience, reflection, and continuous learning thrown in. I like to connect with people, congratulate them on a job well done, and enjoy what I’m doing. I hate mixed messages and believe in approaching things truthfully and in a down to earth manner, even if the content isn’t what you’d wish to be delivering. In HR-speak, I admire authenticity. 

 

I think most people possess a mixture of natural traits to be a leader, be it determination and vision, honesty and empathy, or a strong work ethic with the ability to learn from your mistakes. You utterly can also learn from experience, other people, and life in general. To those who say, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, I say ‘rubbish, that’s not good enough’. 

 

I’m a great believer in formalised learning and have undertaken three significant post-graduate studies as well as seizing opportunities for workplace learning. The latest, delivered at Ingeus by a Professor of Business Administration for Harvard Business School, reminded me strongly of my own MBA back in 2016 at Deakin University. Undertaking group assignments for the first time, with very different and busy fellow students taught me a valuable lesson in leading through influence. You can’t, and shouldn’t, always instruct people or have direct control. Being passionate, leading with purpose, and setting the tone for what’s expected can also be very persuasive leadership tools. 

 

Learning can come from all manner of sources. I enjoy listening to audiobooks, especially autobiographies detailing people’s diverse pasts and lessons they too have learnt along the way. I’m mid-way through ex-Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s ‘Patriot’. It’s a testament to courage and has put a lot of things into perspective for me. 

 

Navalny’s passion is what made him an exceptional leader. If you care about what you do, you’ll do it well. In the APM way, I always like to start a group call with a client success story; it’s important to stay grounded and remember what we’re here to achieve. I think that grounded approach probably explains my ‘just crack on’ nature. Don’t dwell on what you can’t change, find a different way to do it. The most important lesson I’ve learnt though – and it comes as a mum to now-grown-up children – is to pick your battles. As I’m sure any parent, guardian, or business leader would agree, you can’t win them all!