16th NSW PUBLIC SECTOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Prioritisation 101 - What comes first? 

- Identify the sources of your workload and organise your tasks

- Define importance vs urgency

- Prioritise your workload

Managing your mind

- Find your workflow momentum 

- Beat procrastination 

- Learn supportive ways to manage interruptions

Communication to aid productivity

- Build confidence in saying no when you’re at capacity 

- Identify when and how to delegate 

- Manage and negotiate deadlines

Your productivity toolkit

- Set SMART goals to achieve your daily, weekly and monthly deadlines

- Turn your inbox from overwhelming to over-organised 

- Utilise regular reviews to remain focused

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep-dives and unmissable panel discussions!

There’s an enthusiasm at the start of a new project that can be a terrific driver, all positivity and potential. But the outcomes aren’t always exactly what you plan for, there can be obstacles and compromises along the way that take their toll, and it can sometimes be a challenge to stay motivated in spite of setbacks. In this session Sonya explains how she’s learnt to be resilient over the years and how she leads her team through knock-backs. 

- Discover resilience techniques 

- Build a team that is adaptable to changing circumstances

- Find the balance between over-eager and productiveness

A great leader knows they don’t need to be a subject matter expert when they can empower the people around them to showcase their expertise and make decisions themselves. A leader's role is to facilitate, empower and engage but when do you get taught how to do that? Alison talks to us about how she builds credibility in a team where she isn't an industry expert and how she shows authenticity whilst at work. 

- Empower your teams to be more decisive 

- Avoid being one of the 7 bad bosses

- Build credibility and trust with your team 

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

As a leader it is important to build and maintain a strong positive network that you can use within the workplace to support you, your department, and your team. Networking can be a challenge for some and navigating networking in a high pressure, time-pressed environment can add an extra layer of difficulty. In this expert session Maree shows you how to build and maintain a positive network, and shares the importance of having a strong supportive network. 

- Navigate networking in the public sector

- How to build positive and supportive relationships

- Grow and expand your network

Have you ever been in a meeting and held back from sharing your idea? Or perhaps you have seen some injustice but didn’t think it was your place to challenge. Many of us have a fear of the consequences of speaking out but by reading the situation and using kindness and honesty, you can really generate change. In this inspiring talk of embracing who you are and telling your story, Fran shares with us the strategies she uses to be courageous and stand up for what she believes in. 

- Identify who you are and what's important to you 

- Explore strategies to build confidence 

- Stand up for what you believe in

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Diversity isn't a tickbox exercise, and it can't be set and forget. Support for women in the workplace has come on leaps and bounds, however it is vital that we keep the momentum and not forget about how far we have come. The Australian Public Sector is now predominantly female, however in senior leadership roles this representation still lacks parity. In this empowering panel conversation we look at the practical strategies you can implement to continue to support the development of women in your world.

- Be part of the change, not part of the problem

- Provide a platform for women in your team to thrive 

- Embrace equity to help drive success

As the workplace becomes more Agile, transformation is coming faster and more frequently. Responding to change can be difficult, especially when the reason for change is unclear. As a leader, not only do you need to deal with your own feelings towards change, you have to support your team through it as well. Kathy explores how having a growth mindset helps you to embrace change as a learning opportunity and encourages your team to be less resistant. 

- Empower a confident team that is driven by innovation

- Explore your growth mindset

- Evaluate your core beliefs about change

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

Increased working from home and flexible working arrangements have been a huge triumph for some. But with the increased flexibility has come an increased expectation to be available for work all hours of the day. The physical, psychological and emotional demands this places on people is pushing people closer and closer to burning out so it is vital we learn to set boundaries and remind ourselves to focus on our well-being. In this session, join expert facilitator Lauren Kress as they provide you with tips and tricks for refocusing on your well-being and finding your boundaries. 

- Find your perfect balance between working and well-being

- Communicate your boundaries 

- Reflect on where your burnout threshold lies

Anna is a leader that understands the importance of flexibility and creating a working environment that allows her team to work conveniently and put themselves first. Giving people the choice to shape their working structure gives them the freedom to be innovative, purposeful and feel trusted. Leading in this way speaks to Anna’s mantra of leaving the team and the community in a better place than when she started. Join us in this eye-opening viewpoint on leadership and consider the legacy you are leaving. 

- Identify your leadership values

- Challenge your understanding of flexible working 

- Create a creative workplace culture 

Often we hold ourselves back from the next stage in our careers, or imposter syndrome tells us that we shouldn’t be in the position we are in. Having a mentor builds the confidence we need to progress in our careers and gives us an outside perspective on strengths and areas for development. Lucy tells us how having a mentor has helped lessen the imposter syndrome and how she now uses her mentoring relationships to give back. 

- Build your confidence to reach out and find a mentor

- Identify what a mentor means to you

- Learn the benefits of reverse mentoring 

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

We all face conflict at work. Maybe it’s a boss who took all the credit for your project or a colleague who keeps going over your head to get more resources. In these situations, some of us shy away from having the conversation, and some of us jump in head first to find a resolution. Whatever your natural tendency is, dealing with conflict is a crucial skill to succeed at work - It can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger relationships with colleagues, and innovation. Join expert facilitator, Chloe Blake, as she provides you with strategies, tools and frameworks for navigating conflict and dealing with those difficult conversations at work.

- Identify the barriers that prevent people from having difficult conversations

- Define your objective and remain solution-focused

- Develop active listening strategies to preserve your professional relationships

The term “coaching culture” has been adopted by many organisations but what does it actually take to embrace a culture where people feel safe to challenge each other and improve themselves. It can feel really uncomfortable giving someone direct development points but Cass explains to us the benefits of courageous coaching that comes from a supportive place and actually generates change. 

- Bring your authentic self to work

- Deliver a 1st rate coaching experience

- Challenge your team to be brave

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Generational diversity is described as having a wide range of ages represented in your workforce and recognising this as a type of diversity often goes ignored. As more people remain working for longer periods of their lives, we are now seeing more diverse workforces than ever before. This requires leaders to adapt to ways of working and styles of communication which can differ between generations. In this immersive panel conversation, hear the experiences and outlooks of experienced leaders and how they have dealt with this throughout their careers. 

- Gain insight from the leadership perspectives of different generations

- Challenge stereotypes and understand working styles

- Understand and adapt to generations that differ from your own

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders.

We all come from somewhere. We all have a connection to our past, whether that is through cooking family recipes, trips back to the town you grew up in or family stories passed down through the generations. Understanding the influence of the past and how this has helped shape who you are now, will help you path out your future and leave your mark on the next generation. In this impactful session, Kelly , a proud Gomeroi woman, will share how her connection to her past, land and mob has helped her carve out a successful career. Learn how you can utilise your unique experience to build a a way forward and leave a better place for the next generation

- Understand your roots and the impact this has on you

- The importance of heritage

- Leaving a positive impact for the next generation

We wrap up our two days of insight and inspiration with this interactive roundtable session. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Network with your peers, reflect on your journey so far and create an action plan to carry you forward!

- Reflect on your key takeaways from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

The fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

- Explore the main elements of EQ

- How to identify your areas of strength and weakness

- Evaluate your emotional responses and their effects during challenging times

Emotional Intelligence and leading with empathy

- Understand emotional drivers to better motivate yourself and your team whilst remote working

- Expand emotional agility - adapt behaviour to suit different leadership styles

- Emotional reasoning for effective decision making

Strengthen your resilience and resolve

- Perform productively through tough times

- Deal constructively with stress, criticism and setbacks

- Effectively manage conflict and turn negativity into opportunity

Develop a clear vision and purpose to drive career success

- Recognise and explore areas of growth and development

- Understand behaviour in times of change

- Proactively apply EQ moving forward

Effective communication and negotiation to project confidence and credibility

- Develop productive communication skills

- Practice authenticity

- Influence and engage your teams

Understand the impact of nonverbal communication in leadership

- Use eye contact and posture to make your message stick 

- Master your gestures to influence with purpose

- Fine-tune pitch, tone and speed of your speech to make an impact

Stakeholder management - Navigate group dynamics and build strong relationships

- Adapt strategies to manage different people

- Harness and resolve conflict

- Understand and prioritise key relationships

Personal action plan for success in the NSW Public Sector 

- Identify and respond to threats and see challenges as opportunities

- Determine your areas for development, key resources, change agents and networks

- Plan your actions - identify and pursue opportunities beyond your to-do-list