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Day 5…final day of our program.  The day is met with anticipation, sadness, but also a burning question ““Where to now? What can I do with this new found knowledge?”

Today has certainly provided a time to reflect on the program’s key messages and to think about the future.  Personally, I enjoyed the chance to take time-out and reflect on not only my own leadership style, but what I would like my leadership style to look like.  Where are the gaps?  What could I be doing better?  These questions now seem easy to answer.  I am no longer focusing on the “why?”  but the “why not?” 

The day started with us reflecting on the three leadership qualities we would like to develop. I found repeating this activity to be a very useful exercise as it served to reinforce the importance of focusing and developing on our leadership strengths.

Our first speaker of the day was James Garriock. James was an inspiring and engaging speaker. Through his personal journey, I saw in him the leadership traits we would like to acquire, bravery in the midst of adversity, resilience and authenticity. James’s pearls of wisdom, ranging from Leavitt’s diamond, culture and climate, engagement and alignment, were eagerly soaked up by us.

How are you? Three little words that count...

Self-awareness is a bit of a pain isn’t it? Here I am, quite content in my bubble – start at 8, head down, bum up, and when everyone else wanders in at 8.30 or 9 and chats away about their weekend or last night’s TV shows, I’m keeping the greetings to a bare minimum. I want to keep the workload under control and get out on time (yep, waaaay at the other end of the day - I’m thinking ahead).

I like to think that people see me as open and friendly, that I’m as approachable and easygoing as some of the best leaders in our workplace, that people feel they can approach me for support anytime.

But Ignite is making me re-think all this. What message is the head down, bum up approach sending? Am I being the person my colleagues need me to be? Am I using emotional intelligence to better understand those around me? Am I playing to my strengths?

After three days of the Igniting Leadership Program I knew I was on to something good. Each session was fruitful, insightful and challenging. So when I reflect on my experience so far, why do I feel tightness in my stomach and the notion of standing at the edge of a precipice in my mind? Hmm…

Even though I don’t know what these feelings mean for me yet, I am energised and excited at the thought of a somewhat foreboding change. There’s an opportunity presenting itself to me and I need to grab it with both hands if I am to be true to myself and my leadership potential.

Day 1

Today was about leadership qualities. We heard inspiring leadership stories from different speakers, and had plenty of interaction between our group (including role plays), allowing us to learn more about leadership qualities, our strengths and the ladder of inference in a fun way.

My three key thoughts from today's sessions were:

Last year I turned 40, which I suppose means I’m officially middle aged. And I suppose I tick most boxes for an Australian middle aged male from this generation – married, two kids, good job, comfortable life in the suburbs.

I cruise along in day to day life, focusing on what I need to do at work, home and at play. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good life - I’ve achieved a lot and, more importantly, I have family and friends that I love.

Then I enrolled in Igniting Leadership and I’m happy to say that this course may have ‘ignited’ more than leadership, it may have sparked the beginning of a mid life crisis…...or perhaps a ‘Crucible experience’? Let me explain.

Sally

Day two of the Igniting Leadership Program began with a video of the ‘dancing man’ or also know as that nut dancing by themselves that everyone remembers from the last music festival you attended. But then the video shows that the nut attracts a ‘first follower’. Others join in and the nut has been transformed into a leader and a movement is created. It was a great light hearted example to start the day off, and an opportunity to personally reflect on whether I am brave enough to be the nut and would I be brave enough to be the first follower and support those people who have the seemingly ‘crazy’ within my own organisation.  

Day two was all about values.  Richard Dent ran through some of the theory behind leadership and explained that model of vision + influence + ethics = leadership. Richard asked the rooms questions about leaders – Margaret Thatcher, Julius Caesar, Adolf Hitler, Atticus Finch, Mother Theresa. What do you think about these leaders? Did they have vision, influence and ethics? Richard did a fantastic job of questioning the group, challenging people and bringing them out of their comfort zones.

Last year, my office had a spare ticket for a Leadership Victoria cocktail event, so I put up my hand.

For someone with no prior knowledge of LV, being in a room full of alumni was a powerful experience. Everyone seemed to possess a strange confidence, visible in the way they voiced ideas, the way they delighted in meeting new people. And there was a strange sense of family about the whole gathering.

I decided that, if the chance came, I’d find out more.

Fast forward to today and there I was, one of seventeen eager participants gathered in the stately halls of Old Treasury for day one of Igniting Leadership.

Over the day, Cynthia, our bright and brave facilitator, steered us from being a room full of strangers to being a group who energised and trusted each other. We shared personal reflections, displayed our acting talents, and joined in a Ladder of Inference sing-along.

The Day Three focus of the October Igniting Leadership Program was on dealing with change and increasing self-awareness.

For Daisy, Zoe, Jordan, Alison, Michael and Victoria, Suzanne Loubris was a highlight of Day Three. She entertained the group with stories of growing up in South Africa and her many experiences training people in emotional intelligence. A key message from Suzanne was - emotionally intelligent leaders don't just react, they choose how they will respond to a situation. 

An enthusiastic group gathered together this morning for day 1 of Igniting Leadership, eager to hear others' experiences, learn a thing or two about our own leadership styles and strengths, and gather some practical tools to take away. And we weren't disappointed.

A small group of us reflected on our take-outs from the day, which included:

The ILP is similar to year 7 school camp. You are a bit nervous to start with, you don't know anyone, you're not sure who you are going to sit next to on the bus and by the end of the camp you know everybody by name and have created some amazing relationships. And in terms of what you walk away with it's like that feeling when you break from your ordinary routine and perhaps go for a long lazy Sunday drive, it can sometimes feel like you have been away for a week, instead of just one day. Time has a funny way of standing still and offering you some perspective!!!! Just a chance to look at things from another point of view. Well day 3 was just like that. 

Jumped out of bed just after 6am this morning, had a shower, opened the fridge and found… no milk! First challenge for the day and I had not even left home yet. What was I to do about cereal and more importantly, the coffee to kick start the day? Eggs on toast was organised by my beautiful wife and a coffee in the nick of time upon arrival at the Mercure training room.

Day 3 started with an activity where we had to interact with the other aspiring leaders. Given we had all met, worked as well as socialised together over two days last week, everyone seemed comfortable to exchange their work, home and course challenges for the last few days. It was clear that Matt Phahlert as well as Louise Thompson made quite an impression last week and has generated plenty of discussion. Matt’s ‘diving board’ analogy and story about commitment as well as Louise’s Strength Deployment Inventory resulted in a great deal of reflection and thought. In fact, all the presenters on the first two days were terrific.

Day two on the Igniting Leadership Programme and all the same faces are there - (no one’s run for the hills as yet... an excellent start.) In fact we welcome a new face into the group, and look forward to getting to know her and filling her in on all she missed the day before. The day starts with a very entertaining clip of ‘The Dancing Guy’ a lone nut that sparks an interesting dance movement, and a very lively debate at my table about the unintentional leader and the obligations and responsibilities inherent in roles - intended or otherwise.

The day progresses onto an insightful talk by Prof. Leon Mann on the 5 themes of Leadership during which he holds our attention by peppering an academic discussion with real life incidents and experiences covering all things from Gandhi to gender differences in the modern workplace. We worked in groups to discuss and provide suggestions and feedback on each other’s work place challenges.

My manager called me into his office late on a Friday afternoon and told me to cancel my training planned for Monday as I was going on a leadership course and he would send me the details by email.

On the Monday I got the details and as it was set to start that Thursday I madly tried to get all the pre reading and tasks done. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and didn’t have much time to think deeply about it all.

Day one of the Ignite course was an eye opener. It was great to hear the stories of the speakers' and the other participants. I especially found the descriptions of the speakers' crucible moments amazing in their honesty.

On day two of the Igniting Leadership course, many of us discussed just how much we had taken in from day one. Today’s session was going to start off with a look at the academic side of leadership, discussing our workplace challenges, followed by a look into values and finish up with a look at our ‘strength deployment inventory’ results. With that ahead of us I began wondering exactly how our lessons from the first day would fit with what was in store for the second. It didn’t take long for that to become clear!

Our first speaker for the day was Professor Leon Mann, and he dissected the academic side of leadership for us. These themes rang true for me, as we had heard from some fantastic speakers just the day before that had each shown us what it meant for them, if not in the same terms!

When I was asked what I wanted out of a five day leadership course, I answered simply, “motivation”, and if I got really lucky, to find a mentor.  On that basis, I could have gone home happy after the first session.  I was literally moved to tears after hearing of the transformational moment from our first guest speaker, Matt Pfarhlet, whose ascent to a leadership position at the tender young age of 24 was just the kind of motivation I was looking for.  His ‘just get in there and have a go’ attitude, which has clearly been his making, had my mind ticking over, and after getting some tips about the who and how of finding a mentor, I was already itching to get out there and take on the world.

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Jess Burrows, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on day three of the program:

Unbelievably, it is day 4 of the program.  It’s all going so fast and yet it feels like we’ve been on this program for weeks with all the different things that we have learnt.

First up today was James Garriock who talked to us about a systems approach to strategy, or as he said it, giving us the names of models to support what we already know.  Reflecting on the title of the session, I realise how much more than that we actually got from this time with James.  A stand out point for me was telling the whole truth, how often do we actually tell the whole truth and how often do you find yourself telling a half-truth.  James committed to telling us the whole truth and he absolutely delivered, being exactly the leader we all needed.

I could write and think about the concept of authentic leadership for days, weeks probably.  It’s somewhat intimidating and somewhat exciting.  It’s okay to lead in a way that’s true to me, WOW!

Jenny Gray joined us in the afternoon to speak about the “Big Issues”, it seemed so overwhelming, how do you expect me to identify an issue, make a compelling case, develop a vision and then put together an action plan to implement the changes??  After my initial thoughts I was surprised that as we went through it was so logical and of course I could do that.  By the end of the session my group were ready to go out and solve one of the big community problems, not only with an idea and plan but we were all so passionate.

The combination of speakers and learning from each other’s experiences has made today a great day.  I certainly left at the end of the day feeling excited about the opportunities of the future and the fact I now have more confidence and skills to make the most of them. 

Absolutely can’t wait for day 5!

Jess Burrows is the Project Business and Process Advisor at Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria.  Jess is currently looking at process changes that can be implemented to provide better outcomes for clients and staff and implementing new IT systems to support these processes and future growth of the organisation.

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Marcia Ferguson, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on day three of the program:

We geared up for three speakers on day three of the Ignite Leadership Program. Today focused on Change - how leaders prepare and manage change in their team and in themselves.

The speakers focused on proactive versus reactive responses to change - across a huge spectrum of mild discomfort to trauma. An in-depth analysis of the neurobiology governing our responses to unexpected and the challenging situations was of particular interest. One of the highlights today was the Great Debate. People nominated topics for debate, everyone voted, then threw themselves into the most challenging role - debater, chair, adjudicator and so on. In a close contest, the Affirmatives won the debate not on points but on the gut feeling of the adjudicators!  This was the right way to go (no bias). The topic was  "Organisations need more managers than leaders". 

We also looked at emotional intelligence, in particular, strategies for pausing before acting, how to recognise when change might lead to some kind of learning and when it leads down the path of judgement, denial, blame etc. The lesson of the day was garnering a whole range of information that helps your team work most productively, happily and feel engaged - or, in the words of one speaker, how to find your bliss by helping others.

I'm loving this course - it is inspirational. It's the kind of stuff you wish you'd known ten years ago. Most of all, I'm enjoying being in a room of other people who share common feelings around leading and leading well. You're never alone in a workplace, but you can feel alone was a leader - in that room, I don't feel like I'm alone! 

Marcia is the Artistic Director of Big West Festival,  one of the leading community-based contemporary arts festivals in Australia. Held over 10 days from 22 November to 1 December 2013, our biennial Festival programs events and activities showcasing the exceptional and diverse cultural, economic and industrial qualities of Melbourne’s West. Our activities are firmly based in contemporary arts practice, celebrate local identity, and resonate on a national scale. Big West Festival supports and facilitates collaborations between Western region communities and professional artists to create work that reflects and is driven by, the local community. Marcia has a long track record in contemporary and community arts, including 12 years with world-renowned Back to Back Theatre, first as a freelance director and later as Artistic Associate.

Erin Kan

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Erin Kan, a participant in ILP for August 2012, reflects on the program:

Our first task on Day One of the Igniting Leadership Course, was to write down what we wanted to get out of the course and what our expectations were. To be honest, I felt a bit silly writing down, “I want to get the self confidence to actually believe that I’m already a leader in my organisation.”

Sophie Holdenson

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Sophie Holdenson, a participant in ILP for August 2012, reflects on the program:

What do peaceful protests, Adolf Hitler and repeating grade 6 all have in common? Day 1 of the Igniting Leadership program! My boss is currently a Williamson participant, and having attended Williamson functions I was conscious that this was not going to be the usual leadership program where you are talked at about leadership theories - and day 1 did not disappoint.

We started the day with Matt Pfahlert, who inspired us all with his story about his journey as a leader starting his own not-for-profit organisation at age 24. The bravery of making this leap at such a young age really impressed me. Whilst Matt conceded that his youth and lack of commitments at the time gave him more room to take this risk, it takes true integrity and determination to take the leap on such a venture.

Tamara Chalmers

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Tamara Chalmers, a participant in ILP for August 2012, reflects on the program:

WOW! I feel like I have just stepped off the Gravitron ride at the Royal Melbourne Show. Day two of the Ignite Leadership course has come to a halt and so has my ride for the week. I feel like I have been tipped upside down and spun from side to side. I knew it wasn't going to be a carousel ride but boy oh boy!

My ideals have been challenged and now I am faced with some rude awakenings. Questions have been put to me about my strengths, my weaknesses, what sort of leader I am, am I currently in the right role, am I using my skills to their best ability?

Anna Scott

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Anna Scott, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on day three of the program:

As I write this, I'm spoilt with a wonderful view of the Noosa Beach. The crystal blue surf is sparking, as the ever graceful surfers take their turn to ride the waves. Warmed by the sun and inspired that I can wear a t-shirt and shorts in July, my thoughts drift back to day four of the Igniting Leadership Program.

Tiffany Loft

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Tiffany Loft, a participant in ILP for June-July 2012, reflects on day five of the program:

It was with a slight pang of sadness that I began Day 5; the last day of the Igniting Leadership program. Nonetheless, a packed program was on the agenda, just as with the other four days. We got straight into it.

We heard from two very engaging speakers, beginning with the ABC’s Randall Mathieson, who spoke on the importance of maintaining and managing relationships. I found Randall’s insights and reflections extremely relevant and useful. I continue to build relationships of my own as I go through my career.

Sacha Connor

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Sacha Connor is a participant in the July/ August program and below she reflects on Day Two.

How many lawyers does it take to win a debate? Apparently more than two!

As we near the end of Day Two of the Igniting Leadership course, tired but eager to put into practice some of our "A ha" moments, we re-energise with a Great Debate: "Bad leaders can turn good."

Extremely insightful and thought provoking arguments presented by both sides; not quite as profound as the guest speakers who shared very open and honest thoughts and experiences and certainly provided us with food for thought.

Speaking of food – a big tick from me on the evaluation form!

Guy Sigley

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Guy Sigley is a participant in the July/ August Igniting Leadership Program. Below Guy reflects on Day One of the program.

Chocolate brownies. Raspberry muffins. Dozing peacefully behind glasses with painted-on eyes (Homer Simpson style). That’s what professional training courses are supposed to be about.

So why am I sitting on the tram at eight o’clock in the morning completing my homework for the Igniting Leadership course? Why aren’t I drifting lazily through the pre-9am rush knowing I have another day of kicking back ahead of me?

Lisa Barlow

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Lisa Barlow, a participant in ILP for June-July 2012, reflects on the program after day four:

When I was asked by my Manager whether I would like to attend the Igniting Leadership Program I thought why not!  I hadn’t done any formal leadership training before and being fairly new to management thought I could pick up a few pointers along on the way that might be useful.  Now at the end of day four, I could never have imagined how much I would learn and take away from the program. I have an overwhelming feeling of being inspired to strive to be a better, stronger, confident and motivating leader, not only for my staff and peers but for myself both professionally and personally.

Halil Ahmet

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Halil Ahmet, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on day three of the program:

Day Three of the Igniting Leadership course (28 June 2012) at the Old Treasury Building. 

I found the previous two days of the course a lot more thought provoking than what I had expected.  I was keen to hear more, but when I looked at the agenda and saw three speakers and a debate – I thought, wow there’ll be a lot to get through.

The theme of day three was “Change”.  Ulli Baxter of Ambulance Victoria, (a Change Specialist – great title) presented “Change: Drivers and Dynamics”.  We discussed why 75% of organisational change initiatives fail; ways of implementing change and Ulli provided a “change toolkit”.  I took away that a lot of preparatory work needs to happen for effective change, not surprising but I think the tool provided would help put a structure around it to achieve a positive outcome – I’ll keep it handy.

Maria Catt

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Maria Catt, a participant in ILP for June-July 2012, reflects on day four of the program:

Day four of the Igniting Leadership program and again another interesting and inspiring session, this time on strategy and systems.

The presenters are great and have brought a wealth of experience and knowledge in their fields. As the program slowly comes to an end, I start to realise that there is no particular formula for becoming a good leader.

Stephanie Elsdon

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Stephanie Elsdon, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on day three of the program:

Wow, what an amazing day! Today was easily the most actioned packed and the energy did not cease throughout the day. There were three incredibly inspiring guest speakers and then no one could forget the great debate.

The first speaker was Ms Ulli Baxter from Ambulance Victoria, discussing change within organisations. Ulli provided a fantastic insight into types of change, phases of change and various processes that can be used to ensure organisational change is successful and embedded into culture. Ulli also discussed the importance of resilience and consulting with those who may be affected by the change. One key message I took from Ulli’s presentation was that people don’t fear change, they fear loss. This includes loss of status, job security, confidence, routine or even power and control. This is something that I will always remember.

Matt Gardiner

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Matt Gardiner, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on the first few days of the program:

I approached the Igniting Leadership program with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Would it be interesting and engaging? What would the other participants be like? Would I be “torn out of my comfort zone”, as the promotional material promised? As someone who is quite attached to their comfort zone, this last question was of particular concern.

Renee Bowker

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Renee Bowker, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on the first few days of the program:

It is Day Two of the Igniting Leadership Program in Melbourne, and the participants seem eager to begin.  The first day has been a journey of inspiring stories, contemplation of leadership qualities and general interaction that yanks you from your comfort zone and makes you realise that this course really is about igniting something – and you hope that it’s leadership.

Susanna Young

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Susanna Young, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on the first few days of the program:

So I think when I decided to do the Igniting Leadership Program I thought that I was coming for a magic potion – the thing that would completely alter my confidence in my own leadership style, tell me exactly what I needed to do to progress my career and life the way I wanted to.

Day one made me completely rethink this approach – no one is going to give me an answer because as our two guest speakers made plain, leadership is something that is specific to you and your true self. Only you can decide that you want to be a leader (or accept that role thrust on you), what type of leader you want to be, and only you can take the action required to get you there. Others inform and are impacted by your choices.

Sandy Bell

LV's Igniting Leadership Program is a concentrated learning experience that is designed to foster a new generation of leaders. Here Sandy Bell, a participant in ILP for June 2012, reflects on the first few days of the program:

It's the end of day one of LV's Igniting leadership program and my head is full of ideas, reflections and leadership possibilities - I am actually exhausted!

Melinda Crimp

The Igniting Leadership program brings together young leaders and immerses them in a rich learning environment. The program offers a mix of dynamic guest speakers, scenario-based discussion and collaboration.

When I embarked upon the Igniting Leadership program, I was unsure what to expect. I knew that I’d be in the company of other managers and leaders, some new to it (like myself) and others more experienced. But I had been a little unsure of how the program would play out. How would I find it? Would it be interesting? Would we have to perform dreaded role-plays? How would they possibly fill five days with interesting and useful content?

Here is what’s happened thus far.

Anna Thomson

I walked away from Leadership Victoria’s Igniting Leadership Program: Focus on Food feeling truly inspired. I must admit, I was a little cautious as I made my way to the program on day one: What will the guests speakers be like? What will the other participants be like? What on earth am I doing here?! However, these little doubts were instantly quashed when I arrived and learned that whilst we all came from different walks of life, we were essentially a group who were looking for the same thing – inspiration.

While many Victorians were busy partaking in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival last month, Leadership Victoria (LV) and Foodbank Victoria were discussing food insecurity.

Food insecurity is something that affects over 400,000 Victorians every year; meaning that on any givenday families and individuals struggle to have enough food for all 3 meals.

This is where Foodbank Victoria steps in to help, providing food to our community’s most vulnerable people – whether they are survivors of a bushfire or flood or dealing with more complex, long term day-to-day issues.