Creating courageous leaders

So inspired by a tour of St John WA, one rising leader in Leadership WA’s July Rising Leadership Program decided to apply for a job.

Held over 12 Experience Days at business locations around the metro area, the six-month Rising Leadership Program develops mid-career leaders from all sectors and industries, further equipping them with the tools and frameworks to become authentic, courageous and effective leaders.

The cohort visited St John WA on September 19 for their fourth Experience Day, focused on the theme of ‘Team’.

Welcomed to SJWA’s State Office in Belmont by Chief Preventative Officer, Megan O’Donnell, participants practiced using ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ – a model which prioritises positive idea generation over negative problem identification – to coach each other through their current workplace team challenges.

They were then given a tour of an ambulance by SJWA Southeast District Area Manager, Troy Turner, who gave an insight into what it was like to manage a large team in a high-stress environment and took questions from participants.

SJWA’s Metro Operations Manager for the Southeast District, Andy Blane, also discussed the power of cohesive teamwork, especially when dealing with large scale emergencies, and highlighted the importance of having a positive workplace culture.

Participants heard from SJWA Group CEO, Kevin Brown, who shared his top tips for effective leadership and gave insights on ways to approach problem solving.

Kevin explored the methodology behind building a successful team, which included recruiting those with the right mindset, giving them the correct tools and trusting them to execute their roles.

Leadership WA Leadership Development Manager, Wendy Wilson, thanked Kevin and his team for sharing their experiences and showcasing the impressive facilities.

“The generosity of St John’s team members and your time, frankness, and openness allow Leadership WA to do what we do best and develop courageous leaders for a better WA,” she said.

“Your session provided positive discussion, and clarity points for our leaders with some team challenges to solve.”

Wendy said one future leader in Human Resources was “so inspired and moved by [Kevin], the staff and the values at the heart of the great work the organisation provides, they decided to apply for a position at St John and to be involved in any way they can”.

“At our core, we all want to make a positive difference,” Wendy said.

“Such is the importance of the real-world experiential learning the program delivers.”

Feedback from 2024 July Rising Leadership Program participants:

• “Speaking with the St John’s team made me want to start volunteering again.”

• “This was really fantastic, I spoke to my family that evening and shared lots of information and learnings with them! The fact St John’s have so many volunteers and maintain that strength within community and the company, is incredible.”

• “Andy and Troy (extended to the whole of St John WA), living your lives in pretty much total service of others is so admirable and incredibly inspiring. I was travelling home and an ambo pulled up next to me. I immediately thought of the amazing “team in green” that go over and above each shift for the greater good. Surely we can start saying the “Thin Green Line” I have a new found respect for what you do. Simply, Thank You!”

• “Loved meeting Troy and Andy and seeing the pride they have in their work. Both of them represented the organisation so well and should be commended for their warm and personable communication. Extremely likeable and admirable people.”

• “Kevin’s leadership style is intensely curious and not hierarchical. He referred to his time working in retail with the same sense of value and learning as his engineering and CEO experience. He ‘lifts up the corners’ to see what’s underneath and is unassuming, real and relatable in his quest to make things work better.”

• “Kevin did not speak about his ‘leadership’, but instead spoke of his people and his journey. He reframed leadership skills as about human interaction: listening, enabling and developing.”

• “There were a number of points from Kevin’s presentation that inspired me – in particular I was inspired to be an authentic leader- being able to lead people in a way that furthers myself and those around me (those willing to come along for the journey), and leading in a way that means you are liked and respected – people can count on you for doing what is right.”

• “St John WA and all the amazing team members, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your selfless commitment to serving the community, often enduring long hours and challenging situations. Your unwavering dedication truly makes you heroes in every sense. I will certainly be extra vigilant in checking my rear-view mirrors when I hear the sirens. Thank you for all that you do.”

For further information about Leadership WA and their transformative leadership experiences, including the Rising Leadership Program, visit leadershipwa.org.au.