From management roles in the public service to CEOs and entrepreneurs, today’s leaders are dealing with ever-more complicated work environments than their predecessors.
Rapid changes in technology, a need to cater to the changing aspirations of new generations, a workforce empowered to change jobs in a heartbeat, and requirements for diversity and inclusion are just some of the “newer” challenges they face. Coupled with the standard leadership expectation of improving the status quo while charging confidently into a brightly-lit future, there’s little wonder why executives struggle to keep up. Charged with the mental health and wellbeing of their employees, the stresses faced by leaders often go unnoticed.
Growing in popularity is the term “wicked” – used to describe problems that are, for lack of a better word, unsolvable. Wicked problems arise due to incomplete or contradictory knowledge, too many stakeholder requirements, an inability to solve larger problems that the initial problem is connected to, and competing or paradoxical elements.
Robert Holmes, an expert in human behaviour and the People and Change Lead at RSM in Canberra, says that Canberrans lack quality forums to discuss issues such as wicked problems, and learn from those who have “been there, done that.”
“I belong to a number of groups of coaches, managers and high profile public speakers who are experts in people, management and change,” says Robert. “And we lament the fact that most of our speaking engagements are interstate. Given the incredible minds we have in Canberra, something has to be done – especially when half our population work for government departments that often struggle with leadership issues.”
To provide a solution, Robert and QuenchGroup partner Martin Brooker have launched a new program titled “Wicked Leadership”. Wicked Leadership runs for one day, and offers attendees the opportunity to learn from brilliant local minds via talks and interactive sessions.
“We’re running one-day workshops four times a year,” says Robert. “Every event will have a different theme with different speakers, but the end goal is the same: provide Canberra leaders with the support and knowledge needed to tackle wicked problems.”
The launch event will be held September 21 at Old Parliament House. Speakers include:
- Scott Leggo (experienced leader and speaker)
- Francis Owasu (CEO of Kulture Break)
- Meg Salter (business consultant, Auridian)
- Dr Robert Holmes (leadership consultant, RSM Australia)
- Martin Brooker (former Naval Captain and leadership coach, QuenchGroup)
- Shane Horsburgh (change management specialist, Tactical Edge)
- Sally Dooley (Coach, facilitator & speaker)
The event will be hosted by a renowned emcee and cover four subjects: leadership, dealing with change, organisational culture and self-development. Speakers such as Martin Brooker, who ran a naval frigate with 500 men and women on board to the Middle East, will seek to help attendees build agility and resilience in leadership problem solving.
“We’ve gathered 20 of the best, and if you’re a leader who wants to build leadership skills, then this is a forum where you can meet some of our best local thinkers,” says Robert.
“This is not a fly in-fly out event. Attendees will be able to interact throughout the day, because the speakers stay all day. Guests can provide instant feedback to speakers with their phones, ask questions on the fly, and socialise afterwards. It’s interactive, and a great opportunity to learn from some of the brightest leaders in our community.”
Wicked Leadership runs for one day on Thursday September 21 at Old Parliament House. For tickets, please visit Wicked Leadership.
Note: This seminar counts as 6 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Wicked Leadership is an initiative of RSM Australia and the QuenchGroup. For more information about People and Change Management coaching and consulting, call Robert Holmes on 6217 0300.
This is a sponsored article, though all opinions are the author’s own. For more information on paid content, see our sponsored content policy.
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