At its core, leadership is deeply human and the best leaders know that real influence starts with listening and reflecting.
This is especially true when it comes to understanding the experiences of First Nations colleagues and building culturally safe workplaces.
For Heather Brayford, Director General of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, attending Walking in 2 Worlds Together was an opportunity to explore her own leadership through a new lens.
“It was a really important course for me to get different perspectives and to reflect on what's important for our department and how we can do better,” she said.
“It was strong reminder that the strength of leadership lies not in certainty, but in empathy.
“We need to move forward with respect, understanding and acknowledgement.”
Walking in 2 Worlds Together brings participants face to face with uncomfortable truths and thoughtful insights about reconciliation, privilege and responsibility. Rather than lecture, it offers personal and unguarded conversations.
“There was a lot of vulnerability in the room initially from the presenters and then from the participants,” Heather said.
“People were really open about how they felt and what they might have felt previously, and how they were moving forward in their own journey around reconciliation.”
That openness is what makes Walking in 2 Worlds Together unlike typical leadership courses.
Walking in 2 Worlds Together is part of the SES Development Series, a suite of 3 courses designed exclusively for Western Australia’s senior public sector leaders:
- Walking in 2 Worlds Together
- Using Policy to Shape WA
- Leading and Influencing for Change
Find out more on WA.gov.au.
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