here - Leadership Victoria

Williamson Community
Leadership Program
INSPIRING HIGH POTENTIAL LEADERS
LEADERSHIP
VICTORIA
FEBRUARY 2014
2
Foreword
MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER
The strength and future of the Victorian community lies in the
development of our emerging leaders across the government,
non-profit and business sectors. An understanding of the complex
issues facing our community now and into the future is vital for
our leaders, so that they are equipped to work together and tackle
matters head on.
The Williamson Community Leadership Program has been
working with Victorians to promote and nurture leadership skills
for more than 20 years. The Williamson program is unique in
bringing together emerging leaders from all sectors and industries,
from all regions in Victoria and with diverse backgrounds
and experience. Participants are united by their commitment
to contributing to their community and to creating thriving
organisations for a thriving Victoria.
The Victorian Government is proud to work closely with
Leadership Victoria towards the continuing development of
our community leaders for tomorrow. I am pleased to have this
opportunity, on behalf of the Government, to commend the
Williamson Community Leadership Program on the positive and
far-reaching impact it has on our State.
The Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP
Premier
•••• Leadership For The Future
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Introducing
THE WILLIAMSON COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
For 25 years, the Williamson Community Leadership Program (WCLP)
has helped shape the lives of participants, and helped shape Victoria.
The purpose of WCLP is to grow and inspire each new generation of
community leaders.
Today, the program continues to develop and inspire high potential
leaders. It is one of Australia’s most sought after leadership
development experiences.
In WCLP, participants undergo a unique learning experience designed
to address the emerging social, economic and environmental issues of
the next ten years.
WCLP equips participants for workplace leadership challenges. Many
graduates go on to lead large organisations. They lead with unparalled
depth and breadth of wisdom. Their organisations succeed in new ways.
But the experience goes much further. Participants dig deep into
themselves: they examine their values, they examine their worldviews
and assumptions. They prepare themselves for changing the world, for
leading with authority and - even more importantly - leading where
they have no authority but where Australia needs leaders to step up and
create change.
Is Williamson the right leadership experience for you? Do you
think that Australia needs exceptional leaders? Do we need thriving
organisations in every sector? Do we need citizens who commit
themselves to positive outcomes in the economic, social and
environmental spheres? Do you have the “spark” of leadership, and are
you prepared to commit to a lifetime of shaping Australia through your
working life and through your voluntary contribution and leadership?
If so, Williamson is for you.
Williamson changes lives. Yours could be next.
Where will your leadership journey take you?
Richard Dent OAM
Geoff Cosgriff
Chief Executive
Chair, Leadership Victoria Council
•••• Leadership For The Future
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About the
Williamson Community
Leadership Program
“I am not exaggerating by saying that the experience was unlike any leadership course I’ve
ever been to, and that it was life changing. I look forward to being further challenged,”
A/Prof Erwin Loh, Executive Director Medical Services,
Innovation & Quality, Monash Health.
A YEAR OF INSPIRATIONAL
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
2014 is the 25th year of the Williamson Community
Leadership Program (WCLP). It offers one of Australia’s
most sought-after leadership development experiences.
• an intense learning experience,
Based on the LV Leadership Development Model (see page 6),
WCLP provides a unique year of leadership–focused and
experiential activities that are designed to develop and
connect leaders across sectors and generations.
• to develop relationships with people from different sectors,
leading to valuable ongoing professional and personal
networks,
PARTICIPANTS
As a WCLP participant, you can expect:
• to learn from the experiences of your peers and from issue
experts,
• to explore and challenge your own values, beliefs,
philosophies and prejudices, and re-evaluate where you are
and where you want to go.
WCLP participants typically are high achievers who are
considered to be among the best and brightest in their
organisations, from across the corporate, government and
Not-for-Profit sectors.
This program is presented in a proven format that includes:
The diversity of the participants ensures differing
perspectives and learnings, and a richness in strengths,
values and ways of looking at the world coloured and
shaped by their environment.
• evening events including arts and cultural events that
complement the monthly two-day program,
Participants have:
• two-day field trips to regional Victoria and Canberra
• Leadership qualities they actively demonstrate in their
daily lives
• residential retreats that open and close the program.
• A genuine interest in civic engagement and the desire to
be proactive
• An expectation and commitment to exercise their
leadership and to increase their civic involvement to
make a social impact.
• A monthly two-day program that includes on-site tours,
presentations from outstanding leaders in their fields, case
studies, workshops, guest speakers and discussion sessions
• Community based group projects to put leadership learnings
into practice
“Williamson is like a
beautiful red wine - You
enjoy it in the moment but if
you let it breathe and sit
with you for a while, it
offers you many different
levels of enjoyment and
complexity.”
Sonja Gibson, Director Tourism Investment Attraction, Tourism Victoria,
participated in the 2012 Williamson Community Leadership Program
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Our Framework
for Leadership
WCLP adopts a syncretic approach. We do not
subscribe to any single model of leadership.
However the WCLP is grounded in an adaptive
leadership framework and the key leadership
attributes of vision, ethics and influence.
ISSUES FOCUS
Exploring:
• notions of leadership from diverse points of the compass,
both macro and micro
• the social, political and economic issues, forces and trends
of the coming decade, always with an eye on the big picture
• leadership challenges within these issues and working
through a cross-sectoral lens to consider solutions
• community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
and resources, with a ten-year focus.
“The Williamson program
provides a blend of community
and corporate leadership
experiences, creating
opportunities to learn
about the art of leadership
from iconic leaders in our
community”.
•••• Leadership For The Future
LEARNING BY DOING
The ‘Community Leadership in Action’ model offers a
practical, hands-on way to utilise the enthusiasm, knowledge
and skills brought to and developed in the WCLP program
for positive social impact. In addition, you are able to further
develop your knowledge and skills, apply the leadership
learnings and work with others from a range of professional
backgrounds and sectors.
Teams of WCLP participants form to work with a notfor-profit or other community based organisation on a
social problem or community based project that requires
leadership. The projects are planned and delivered with a
clear, tangible outcome to be achieved before the WCLP
Closing Retreat although there may potentially be longer
term outcomes.
Members of the 2012 WCLP project group: Andrew Iles, Samuel Redmond,
with Maggie Maguire, CEO, (WCLP’97) and Darren Griffin from
the Abbotsford Convent, Nigel Howard and Georgie Wettenhall
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Our Leadership
Development
Model
Inspirational,
influential, connected leaders
Positive social impact and ongoing
leadership development.
BEDROCK
ATTRIBUTES
OF LEADERSHIP:
LOCUS OF
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT:
• Ethics
• One’s Self
• Influence
• One’s Organisation
• Economic
• Vision
• One’s Community
• Environmental
COMMUNITY
ISSUES:
• Social
LEADERSHIP APPROACHES: adaptive, articulate, authentic, conscious,
creative, curious, emotional, intentional, networked, strategic, synthesising,
thoughtful, unconscious, values driven, reflective, transformational, visionary
ACTIVITIES: academic readings, action learning projects, case studies, debates,
experiential activities, Fishbowl conversations, Group relations, hypotheticals,
philosophy, questioning leaders and more . . .
•••• Leadership For The Future
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Profile
Ranjana Srivastava
(WCLP ’11)
“Anyone who wants to introduce change into their thinking should consider a year of WCLP.
When a group of talented and insightful people hold a mirror to you for an entire year, you can
either ignore what you see or seize the opportunity to examine yourself more deeply.”
Dr. Ranjana Srivastava.
Ranjana Srivastava is a highly-trained, specialist oncologist.
Like many doctors, Ranjana felt that the length of her
training meant that opportunities to engage in other
interests were limited: “The WCLP introduced me to
diverse occupations such as politics, architecture, banking,
education and the arts. I enjoyed the window into these other
professions and through my colleagues, gained a broader
perspective of the world we live in.”
Ranjana hadn’t heard of the WCLP until two colleagues
praised their year long journey. At the time, she had
been doing medicine for several years and whilst really
enjoying her job, was wondering how else she might make a
contribution to society. WCLP was valuable in exposing her
to new and interesting ideas beyond the world of medicine.
“There are occasions when I find myself harking back to what
I saw and heard during my WCLP year. It may be the words
of a top public servant about integrity or the reflection of a
community leader on cooperation. Thanks to the influence of
an architect, I see some of Melbourne’s architecture through
different eyes. The WCLP experience has simply become a
part of who I am and how I think.”
Today, Ranjana continues to support the Asylum Seeker
Resource Center, where she first volunteered as a trainee
specialist. The ASRC opened her eyes to the inequality right
in front of her eyes and “gave me a lifelong appreciation for
my good fortune.”
WCLP made Ranjana more aware of her strengths and
weaknesses. It also removed her from her regular workplace
with established hierarchies and protocols and exposed her
to fresh people and their ideas. “Many of these people left
a mark on me, from the books they recommended to the
way they dealt with professional and personal challenges.
In unique ways, these threads contribute to the fabric of my
life.”
Dr. Ranjana Srivastava,
Oncologist,
Southern Health
•••• Leadership For The Future
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The Value of
WCLP
BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS
• Grow the leadership in your organisation and build
and rejuvenate your leadership culture: WCLP is an
investment in the people who are helping to lead your
organisation into the future
• Gain insights from a high quality learning experience:
We draw on our 25 years of expertise in leadership to
create the best possible learning experience
• Benefit from an expanded outlook: WCLP participants
become well-rounded leaders who can adapt and apply
insights from other organisations, industries and sectors
to your organisation’s context
• Grow your company’s profile and reputation: WCLP is one
of Australia’s most in-demand leadership development
programs. By associating with WCLP, your organisation’s
profile is increased across sectors and its professional
reputation is enhanced
• Grow your organisation’s networks: Through an ongoing
relationship with LV, WCLP participants gain access to a
broad network of leaders and other influential members
of the community. These networks can be leveraged to
further your organisation’s work.
“Would I recommend the
program? Absolutely, yes.
If you think you are too
busy and don’t have time
to do Williamson - then
you are just the person who
needs to make the time.
• Network and engage with leaders across sectors: Learn
from and with an outstanding range of leaders
• More than a one-off program: Graduates of our flagship
programs join the LV Alumni Network. This network
of 1000+ leaders comprises some of Australia’s finest
leaders
• Grow the impact of your leadership: Working alongside
other LV Alumni and GreatConnections projects leverage
your leadership into exciting new contexts.
“There are important
benefits to my organisation from
participating in the Williamson
program - by broadening our
awareness and perspectives beyond
our immediate workplace and
comfort zones we are far more able
to challenge ourselves to be stronger
leaders, and also in doing this, offer
far more to our clients and the
community.”
If you are a bit lost Williamson will help you find focus and direction. If you
don’t think that you will get anything out of it - then this is
exactly the program for you.”
Anthony Coops, Partner, KPMG
•••• Leadership For The Future
• Learn from expert presenters: Every WCLP presenter is a
subject matter expert and an accomplished leader in their
field. You will learn from around 100 speakers spanning all
sectors and a wide array of industries
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Schedule
Note: the themes are based on the 2014 program and may change depending on
the issues and requirements arising each year.
“I loved the breadth of topics covered, the
diversity amongst the participants and the range
of speakers we had the privilege of hearing from,
and subsequently interrogating! I feel I have
come out of the program with a much stronger
understanding of the complexities of the world
we live in and the spider web of people and
organisations with whom to work to make this
world a better place.”
Debbie Kiper,
Senior Manager Cultural Agencies,
Arts Victoria, WCLP ‘12
•••• Leadership For The Future
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About
Leadership Victoria
Leadership Victoria’s purpose is to help make a
bright future: we inspire leaders, create networks
and drive change. We do this by developing great
leaders through world class leadership development
activities, and by developing and deploying
transformative skilled volunteers to support
community organisations and address social,
economic and environmental issues.
Four Fundamentals underpin LV’s programs:
• Cross-sectoral: We bring the public, private and
not-for-profit sectors together
• Open-minded: We respect the breadth of societal values
that our participants embrace
• Inter-generational: We enable leaders across generations
to learn from one another
• Reflective: We encourage deep reflection to increase each
participant’s awareness of themselves and their place in
the world.
OUR VISION
Great leadership in every individual, organisation and
community.
OUR MISSION
Exceptional Leadership. Thriving organisations. Positive
Social Impact.
A non-profit community organisation for 25 years, our model
is built on the need to develop leadership in individuals and
through them, in organisations, and to drive positive change
in the community. We focus on the key leadership attributes
of Vision, Influence and Ethics, in the context of the social,
environmental and economic issues facing the community.
OUR ALUMNI
Our network of over 1000 Alumni comprises the graduates
of our Williamson Community Leadership Program,
Experience Bank and Folio Community Leadership Program.
GREATCONNECTIONS
Our alumni participate – individually and collectively
– in Leadership Victoria’s GreatConnections projects
that address issues and opportunities of importance.
GreatConnections provides community organisations with:
• Board members and/or Governance Support
• Mentors
• Specialist volunteer support in areas such as business
planning, governance, strategic planning and marketing.
We also undertake a number of long term strategic projects
to address significant and pressing community issues.
LV holds a series of events for alumni through-out the year.
LEADERSHIP VICTORIA PROGRAMS
• WILLIAMSON COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
• FOLIO COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
• IGNITING LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
• NFP BOARD LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
•••• Leadership For The Future
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Key Program Contacts
RICHARD DENT, OAM FAICD
Executive Director,
(WCLP ’04)
Richard’s personal vision is an Australia
where community leaders make Australia
an even better place to live by fostering
social justice, human rights, economic
development and a sustainable natural
environment.
policy (particularly rural and regional
policy), people with a disability, children,
rehabilitation and community development.
Richard’s proudest achievement has been
his contribution to the National Disability
Insurance Scheme.
To support this vision he has worked as a
community sector executive for almost 20
years, including as CEO of the 2000-person
E W Tipping Foundation, and in Victorian
Council of Social Service and the national
UnitingCare community services network.
His areas of focus have been social
In addition to his extensive leadership
experience Richard holds multiple
postgraduate qualifications, and is a
graduate of Harvard University’s program
on The Art and Practice of Leadership
Development and of the 2004 Williamson
Community Leadership Program.
Gail is an experienced senior leader
in not-for-profit organisations
in governance, communications,
community relations and program
development and delivery, built on
a strong foundation and extensive
experience in education and training.
Tony has more than 15 years of
experience in the design, development
and delivery of high quality leadership
and professional development programs
at all levels of the private and public
sectors.
Tony leads LV’s Leadership Development
team, and facilitates the Williamson
Program
GAIL SIRACUSA
TONY MATTHEWS
Manager,
Engagement
Manager Leadership
Development (WCLP ’10)
Kate de Beer coordinates LV’s suite of
leadership programs, and is responsible
for the development and delivery of the
WCLP evening programs.
OTHER LEADERSHIP VICTORIA CONTACTS
Sunita Varlamos, Manager Social Impact
Sunita oversees Leadership Victoria’s Social Impact activities,
including the skilled transformative pro-bono program
“GreatConnections”.
Chris Kotur, Leader in Residence (WCLP ’94)
KATE DE BEER
Programs Coordinator
•••• Leadership For The Future
As leader in residence, Chris works pro-bono with the LV team to
raise the profile and importance of emerging leadership issues and
development across all sectors.
Chris Kotur is an independent consultant specialising in designing
and delivering strategies for people planning and implementing
significant change. In assignments across all sectors her roles
include those of strategy advisor, facilitator, evaluator, reviewer and
key note presenter.
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The spirit of WCLP
Lives on
“I can’t say enough about how fantastic it was that this group of WCLP graduates came
together and made such a difference for these young people. That one initial idea has
blossomed into what this program has become. There is a genuine passion and desire to
continue to make a difference that will enable this project to continue for many years,”
Mick Cronin, Bridge Project Manager.
“Some of the effects of Williamson aren’t immediate and they take
time to percolate and take shape,” Jed Macartney (WCLP ’05).
Jed Macartney completed the Williamson program in 2005 with 34 others from
across the community, government and corporate world.
During this year Judge Jennifer Coates came to talk to them about youth
justice. She spoke about reconnecting young people in jail with the community
upon release through employment, training, school and either their family or a
positive role model.
At the WCLP closing retreat the group were reflecting on their Williamson
experience, and committed to doing a strategic long-term community project
together. One of the people in the group – Matt Feutrill - worked for the YMCA
and proposed the concept of WCLP being a connector for these young people in
jail and getting them back on their feet through employment.
And so began The Bridge. The whole group of WCLP 2005 formed the
community council in 2006 and today WCLP 2005 is still involved.
With startup funding from the YMCA the group soon put together a plan and
applied for Government funding and were successful.
Sherilyn Hanson (an LV alumnus from 2010) was then the YMCA manager of
The Bridge project and the driving force behind the daily operations. Specialist
youth worker Mick Cronan came from Dublin to join the project. Mick had
been working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation as well as teaching. Mick now
manages the whole program fulltime and is still excited and passionate about
the program and working with WCLP.
In addition to their leadership skills, the biggest contribution that the
WCLP group were able to give was their business knowledge, contacts and
networks. The YMCA had all the facilities and recreational activities but it was
connections with potential employers that was missing. The WCLP group made
contact with businesses they knew and soon more and more came on board with
opportunities for these young people. They knew the potential challenges but
were willing to give it a go.
In the first year The Bridge placed 24 young offenders into work for at least
16 weeks. In the past year they have placed 35 young people (of which 16 were
indigenous) into sustainable jobs and continue to work with all those referred
to them. The team hasn’t missed a target yet. However, the most impressive
statistic of The Bridge project is a reduction in the recidivism rate from a state
average of 66% to 3% for those young people involved in the program.
•••• Leadership For The Future
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With funding reduced by 50% in 2012, they needed to look
elsewhere for continued funding. One of the solutions was
to start a social enterprise called Rebuild which serves two
needs. The first is that not all young people are ready for
employment when they are released from custody and so this
gives them an opportunity to learn some life skills first.
Rebuild is a facility maintenance service and only employs
young people who come through the Bridge project. It has
qualified crew leaders who are also mentors and it takes care
of all the maintenance for YMCA centres as well as external
business. It gives the young people the opportunity to learn
new skills, get back into work, earn some money and also to
have a mentor.
Not all employers are in a position to offer an employment
opportunity to a Bridge project young person but by using
Rebuild for their maintenance they enable the Bridge to
create more employment opportunities for young people in
the Justice system.
Seven years after the joint WCLP-YMCA conception of
The Bridge, lives are still being changed, the community is
still benefitting and the spirit of Williamson Community
Leadership lives on.
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How to Apply
STEP ONE
The first step is to complete the electronic application form on the Leadership Victoria
website. Amongst other things, you will need to let us know about your career experience,
what motivates you, your values, your links to the community past and present and why
you want to complete the year of Williamson.
STEP TWO
All applications are assessed by a selection panel in order to shortlist for interview.
STEP THREE
Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
Offers will be made for a place on the WCLP after the completion of the interview process.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome by November 2014 for the 2015 program.
INVESTMENT FOR 2015
The fee for this program comprises both an
organisational contribution and a participant
contribution. This includes all the field trip travel
and accommodation, plus opening and closing
retreat accommodation, facilitation and speakers
for all program days.
A limited number of partial scholarships may be
available in special circumstances, generally to
candidates from small NFP organisations.
Organisational:
Standard - $12,595 (incl. GST)
or NFP - $10,230 (incl. GST)
plus
Individual contribution:
$1,760 (incl. GST)
“WCLP provided me with greater awareness of the
importance of leadership. It helped me to spread new ideas
through the organisation and to take The Age’s brand into
a broader network with other leaders across Victoria,”
Mark Fuller (WCLP 2012),
Print Editor (weekdays),
The Age
•••• Leadership For The Future
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Our Partners
Leadership Victoria gratefully acknowledges the contribution of our partners.
Their valuable support of our vision and mission truly makes a difference in
developing leaders for social impact.
FOUNDATION PARTNER
HUGH WILLIAMSON FOUNDATION
MAJOR PARTNERS
Leadership Victoria is supported by The Truby and Florence Williams Trust, managed by ANZ Trustees
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Department of Justice
PARTNERS
Other Leadership Programs available from LEADERSHIP VICTORIA
IGNITING
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
is for emerging leaders providing a
catalyst and tools to recognise which
leadership attributes they have and how to
develop them. This five day program is held
over three weeks. LV has several intakes for
this program each year.
“The program allowed me to reflect on
and adapt my leadership style in different
situations to get the best out of my team, my
stakeholders and to influence key business
decisions,” Erin Chancellor,
Communications Specialist
FOLIO COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
takes senior leaders on a “Deep Dive”
experience in leadership inside and outside
the workplace.
“By contributing to community projects,
I am continuously learning new skills that
I can use in my ‘real’ job. As the Co-Chair
of the Sturt Street Arts Precinct Forum – a
collective comprising the major cultural
institutions in Southbank working towards
the development of a vibrant Arts Precinct for
Melbourne—I need to use all my leadership
abilities,” Randal Mathieson, Director
Victoria Australian Broadcasting
Corporation
ORIENTATION TO NFP BOARD
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DIRECTOR DYNAMICS FOR
HIGH PERFORMING NFP BOARDS
for new or prospective board members
providing the skills needed to be an informed,
proactive and effective board member for a
Not For Profit organisation.
is designed for experienced NFP directors
wanting to hone their skills and delve deeper
into specific aspects of board leadership.
“Having experienced leaders share their
insights with a newcomer to board leadership
space like me, will set me on the right trajectory
to make the right decisions and build the right
kinds of habits to be an effective and clearsighted board member,”
Davis Stone-Resneck, Communications
and Programs Manager, ILNV
LEADERSHIP
VICTORIA
.ORG
“Being a member of a board requires
understanding of the big picture. This program
gave me many insights into the importance of
reporting to the board, but perhaps of more
relevance, the importance of understanding
the leadership responsibilities that being a
board member holds,” Paul Pinto Correia,
Operations & Quality Manager,
Cancer Victoria
LEADERSHIP VICTORIA
Level 2, Old Treasury Building
Spring Street, Melbourne
Victoria 3000
P: 03 9651 6590
E: info@leadershipvictoria.org
ABN 36 057 096 465