Leadership Insights from the 2024 Advance Gala Dinner
I was fortunate to be invited to join the ‘Advance’ gala dinner in Sydney last night. Advance is a not for profit founded to support Australian expats in their career and life, working abroad and returning to Australia. I learnt a new word in the process—‘diaspora’ -a large group of people who may share a national or regional origin, but for a variety of reasons, are living outside this traditional homeland.
It reminds me how proud I am to have an Australian passport even though I was quite unusually in the room that I wasn’t born in Australia 🙂 Everyone was very welcoming!
It was a fascinating evening, so many great conversations ensued at the very glamorous Dolton House in the city. Furthermore, it was billed as a night of inspiration and it certainly was. I was inspired, not only by the conversations of experienced Australians who had done many stints abroad, many now back in their homeland, rubbing shoulders with film producers, educators, academics and professionals, but also by younger Australians forging their ways in new careers.
The address for the evening was given by 2023 Advance Global Australian of the Year, Prof Glenn Denning. He spoke about the challenges of creating food security for all and why we in Australia need to be paying attention. Professor Denning was passionate and informative, highlighting agriculture, transport and infrastructures needs, food sustainability and food waste.
What was fascinating to me though was that in conclusion, he said what we really need to solve the problem is leadership.
Similarly, I had a fascinating conversation later in the evening with Professor Dominic Dywer PSM, one of the virologists who went to Wuhan on behalf of the Australian Government to investigate the origins of the coronavirus. It was a very rich conversation and we were discussing how different countries and states were impacted. In addition, to the policy differences on whether health experts advise or control mandates, the distinction came up again was the difference that leaders and effective (or not) leadership had on the situation.
Leadership is key to what’s happening in our world at a micro and macro level.
But what does that mean to us as professionals involved in leadership development programs and training for leaders?
My February blog post covers more on my musing as whether we have a problem with leadership training itself or transfer – and it generated quite a lot of discussion on LinkedIn.
I’m continuing to noodle on it and take on ideas as I travel.
If you are an Australian Expat in my network living abroad or returning home, do get involved with Advance. They are doing some great work. And as an expat, you’ll know what those first few weeks and days in your new home country are like. My evening closed yesterday with a true full circle moment. When I moved to Australia in July 2002, I gave myself a two-week holiday in my new home country, before I officially started my business. In my first ‘business’ week, I attended the inaugural ICF (International Coach Federation) conference in Sydney. The welcome address was by the Honourable Joe Hockey, Minister for Small Business. Imagine my surprise Australia’s former Ambassador to the US, the Hon Ambassador Joe Hockey was also giving an address last night. Full circle indeed.