Best leaders embrace change

“At a professional level when I think about change, I’ve observed the best leaders are those the most often open to change, they embrace it,” she said.

“Change can only occur with any of us and in organisations when we open ourselves to what we do not know to the possibilities that there are viewpoints other than our own that are also right.”

Ms Fox said listening is an important trait of leaders.

“The best leaders draw on the strengths and experience of the team around them,” she said.

“They learn to ask questions and then they take the time to actively listen.”

At an organisational level, Ms Fox said receiving feedback and creating open environments is important for skills development.

“At an organisational level, I personally strive to create an environment and an inherent culture that is based on trust that promotes two-way dialogue, an open-door policy,” she said.

“I look to create a workplace where the team have the confidence to have opinions and an ability to express themselves openly in an environment where they feel empowered to take risks and know they’ll be supported to try new things.”

Ms Fox said organisations need to be adaptive and this happens best with less bureaucracy.  

“We pride ourselves on agility and innovation, frankly those are easy words to say, it is more difficult to put into practice,” she said.

“Agility happens best without hierarchy.”

Also speaking at the event, Grocon CEO, Carolyn Viney discussed what organisations need to succeed.

“Our business is just like anyone else’s, ultimately it just comes down to getting the right people, who have the right skills and are the right fit,” she said.

“For me as a leader the constant challenge is staying focused on those high level goals and on who we are and on who we want to be finding.”

On the topic of parenting and childcare, remembering there is often two parents is important, Ms Viney said.

“We do talk about the unequal burden between women and men traditionally and currently around who looks after children and who looks after elderly parents,” she said.

“On the child front, it’s about parenting, there’s two parents generally involved in most relationships and raising children.”