By KERRY DAVIDSON
From October 9 to 13 2024, I was very fortunate to participate in a Senior Women in Leadership residential program held by the Melbourne Business school.
I am very thankful to the VCCC Alliance and the Jo Leonard Scholarship program for this opportunity.
The program increased knowledge, connection and insight into my leadership journey, both in recognising areas of competence and strength, and identifying new areas for focus. I was reminded that our value is not immediately obvious to us, and we often need others to help us to understand and make sense of this.
Effective leaders are curious, invite challenge, and are self-aware, with a commitment to continuous learning. I certainly valued and soaked up all the rich learning experiences the program provided. Through the program, I was able to reflect on my competence as an effective ‘sense-maker’, and through this my capacity to make complex things simple for others – bringing clarity.
I was exposed to new thinking in the domain of sustainable or global leadership. My role as the Grampian Integrated Cancer Services Director requires focus on system-level change at the local and statewide level. An appreciation and focus on leadership in this domain provided valuable knowledge and insights.
My personal insights and ‘take withs’ into my ongoing leadership journey are all the richer as a result of this opportunity, along with having a new network or ‘tribe’ of people to support me in my ongoing development as I work to support others.
I thank the VCCC Alliance for its generosity in financially supporting my involvement in the program, and the generosity of program educators and participants in sharing experiences, knowledge and insights leading to an enriching and energising five-day program.
