"Building a Community" Article by Tina Zawila

Recently I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of breakfast meetings hosted by the Australian Institute of Management.  In late April “The Complexities of Managing in the Regions – A Leadership Forum” was chaired by Kurt Heidecker (GILG)  with an outstanding discussion panel including Kevin Berg (Bechtel), Glenn Schumacher (NRG) and Julie Boyd (Previous Mayor of Mackay).

This was an excellent discussion around the challenges of being a manager and leader in a regional area.  Importantly, whilst it was recognised that working and living in a regional area has its own unique challenges, there are many challenges faced by managers of teams, organisations or businesses, that are ‘global’ and generic.

The key insights I obtained from the experienced and knowledgeable panel included:

1. Be a role model, make good business decisions - Be the best you can be.  Seek out a mentor for yourself – even one outside of your industry to keep you challenged, focussed and on a path of continual self-development (personal and professional).  It was said that “we all become a little bit of the good people we meet along the way”. 
2. Create a community with a positive environment - As a manager/leader you should be actively involved with your team/organisation.  Get to know them, and what is going on in the workplace, and where possible interact on a personal level with your team.  Stop. Listen. Understand.
3. People make the difference - Understand that the success of the team/organisation or business is completely dependent on the skills and success of the people involved.  It is people that make the difference –not machinery, software or technology.  If your team members are not successful, you won’t be.

One of my favourite sayings (and Kurt also shared it on the day) is one by Charlie Jones “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years, except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet”.  

Do you agree with these 3 keys insights on managing?

Is there a quote or saying which you strive to implement in your life?
How do you “build a community” within your organisation?

At Sothertons we are committed to lifelong learning and we are always keen to share and receive good ideas – call us on 4972 1300 to discuss your thoughts on Building a Community.